carsmodellist

nissan intima concept

This striking sedan could be viewed as a future step in the evolution of Nissan's design language, and also as its take on the "four door coupe" ethos demonstrated by cars like Mercedes' CLS, and BMWs CS concept which made its debut in Shanghai earlier this year. The Intima is all about "Comfort, relaxation, fine quality and visual enjoyment" explains Product Chief Designer Kinichi Saito, and we agree. The interior is elegant and soothing; the exterior design is organic and well balanced. The surface detailing and jewelry are also clean. The headerless windscreen, which rolls its way back across the roof, isn't a new styling touch; it's already available on several production cars around the world. But the sweeping front glass adds elegance to the look of the body, and airiness to the cabin. Power comes from Nissan's "Clean Diesel" V-6 which is under development. It is on target to meet California's toughest emissions requirements, and earn an SULEV rating in the process. We don't expect to see the Intima as a future production model, but it is clear evidence that Nissan's world design director Shiro Nakamura is in full command of his design teams, and that good looking products are in the offing

nissan intima concept

mazda taiki concept

The Taiki is a front-engine/rear-drive two-door powered by the next-generation of the Rensis rotary engine that continues the "flow" theme Mazda established last year with the Nagare, Ryuga, and Hakaze concepts. It is highlighted by a futuristic rear-end design, though its front-end is similar to that of the Nagare and Ryuga. Mazda says the Taiki "further advances and refines the theme through a fusion of the Nagare design concept and real-world technologies

mazda taiki concept

lexus lf-xh concept

The LF-Xh uses the Lexus Hybrid Drive system -- a combination of a high-output electric motor and a V6 gasoline engine -- which will power all four wheels.
The LF-Xh's styling seems to be relatively similar to Lexus' current crop of SUVs, if not a bit more chiseled, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It sounds as if the concept could signal what could be the first production ultra-luxury hybrid SUV. Imagine the Lexus LS 600h L in sport 'ute form.

lexus lf-xh concept

honda cr-z concept

Logic says this is the follow-up to Honda's much-loved original CRX coupe. But Honda says CR-Z stands for "Concept Renaissance Zero". And what exactly does that mean? Well, to quote the press-kit: "...an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals". Huh?
Forget the Honda psycho-babble. The CR-Z is simply the CRX re-imagined for the 21st century. The tight, taut styling -- among Honda's better efforts -- echoes the proportion and stance of the CRX, right down to the cut-off tail with its see-through vertical panel. It's a much more substantial car than the original CR-X, however -- those wheels are 19 inch diameter items.
The CR-Z appears to illustrate Honda president Takeo Fukui's vision of Honda's future: "Even when we produce environmentally friendly vehicles," he says. "we want them to be fun to drive." The powertrain is a gas-electric hybrid that Honda says delivers clean performance and a high level of torque.
More significantly, though, the CR-Z's mechanical package is likely the forerunner of a range of all-new production hybrids Honda will launch in 2009. These cars, Fukui says, will be "more efficient and cheaper than existing hybrids". In other words, Honda plans to take on Toyota's highly successful Prius with a whole range of hybrid models. - Angus MacKenzie

honda cr-z concept

bmw 1 series concept tii

We knew this wouldn't take long. The 1 Series coupe has been nicknamed "The new 2002tii" since the world got its first look at it a few months ago. So BMW has gone with the flow, and trotted out a sportified version of it at Tokyo. It must have been a last minute addition to the company's Tokyo plan, as there is neither a word nor a photo about it in BMW's show press kit. But the formula is so obvious, so right, that it needs little explanation. As the fuel-injected tii was the sporty version of the 1968-1976 2002 model, so is the tii the sportiest interpretation (so far...) of the new new 1 Series. It wears aggressive body armor, including a naturally finished carbon fiber hood. The ride height is low, the rolling stock all business, and the interior boasts aggressive sport seats. There was no talk of powertrain or performace, as this is at this point just a design study. But the twin-turbo, 305 horse 135i Coupe is a serious enough place to start. Give it the M treatment, and a 350-375 horsepower, lightweight kick boxer shouldn't be hard to make happen. Using the tii badge would be a breakaway from the usual M moniker, but a smart one in this case. BMW global design director Adrian van Hooydonk offered an interesting comment. "Think of the 1 Series like the Star Wars trilogy. In order to understand everything about the first movie, you have to see the third one. When you think of the 1 Series, consider this tii concept as the third movie." We hope this one arrives in theaters, er, dealers, someday soon. - Matt Stone

bmw 1 series concept tii

bmw 1 series concept tii

audi metroproject

The Audi Metroproject Quattro concept is a three-door, four-seat hatch with an outwardly aggressive attitude and stance. Audi's bold, deep front grille is present along with glaring, narrow-eyed headlamps and deep lower air intakes. Aluminum accent trim adorns the pillars and roofline of the car and the coupe-like profile is neat and tidy. At the rear, two largish exhaust tips slot through the rear valance and a subtle roof spoiler is fitted.

audi metroproject

2008 subaru wrx sti

For you Subaru geeks out there, the chassis code is officially CBA-GRB, though that might just be the JDM model, which is different from the one we're going to get in that it's powered by a 2.0-liter 16-valve boxer 4 instead of the 2.5-liter in USDM models. Their version apparently makes around 300 horsepower at 6400rpm. The STI also features a 6-speed manual transmission, STI logo-ed 4-piston brakes (front) and 245/40 series tires, on 18-inch wheels. - Ed Loh

2008 subaru wrx sti

Thursday, 7 July 2011