Land Rover Hints at LRX Production

Land Rover’s LRX concept that we fell in love with at this year’s Detroit auto show was displayed prominently in a press release and photo shoot meant to celebrate the automaker’s 60th anniversary. The company calls it a look at the “possible” future of the brand, and to us that sounds like it’s most likely been green-lit.

We’ve heard rumors that the new owners of Land Rover have given the go-ahead, but no official word has been given. Still, this is a positive sign that the tiny, all-wheel-drive Land Rover could see the light of day on the street.

Related
LRX Concept Gets a New Paint Job for Geneva Motor Show
2008 Detroit Auto Show Ultimate Concept Winner: Land Rover LRX
2008 Detroit Auto Show: Land Rover LRX Hybrid Concept

BMW M1 Hommage: Ugliest Concept Car Ever

We’re not sure there’s never been an uglier concept car, but the BMW M1 Hommage certainly comes close — if it doesn’t outright snag the crown. Looking like a reject from an ill-advised “Back to the Future” sequel, the M1 Hommage is an homage — those crazy Europeans spell it differently — to the BMW M1, a supercar the company built in the 1970s.

The concept must be an homage, because it certainly looks dated. It was unveiled to the public at a ritzy auto event in Italy this past weekend. We’re sure much champagne was downed to make it look good. If your Monday-morning eyes are willing, a photo gallery is below. Feel free to tell us if you disagree with our assessment.

Buick Invicta Concept: The Next LaCrosse?

• Looks like: Buick wants to borrow some of Jaguar’s XF magic
• Defining characteristics: Coupe roofline, more menacing Buick grille
• Ridiculous features: A menacing Buick
• Chance of being mass-produced: High, very high. Buick is a big deal in China and it needs to be cutting edge there. U.S. buyers will reap the rewards.

No story about the emergence of China as a consumer market is more intriguing to car buffs than the way Buick is lauded as a desired brand there. In the U.S., you hear Buick and you think “grandpa” or, at best, “Tiger Woords.” Besides the recent Enclave crossover, there hasn’t really been a Buick worthy of attention.

The Chinese, however, want new Buicks of every shape and size and have gotten updated large sedans from Australia and smaller sedans built just for the Asian market. Now Buick has unveiled the Invicta concept car you see here, and says it will be the global design face of Buick.

The word is the Invicta will replace the aging LaCrosse in the U.S., although the names may vary in different markets. The concept is powered by a turbo-charged four-cylinder producing 250 hp and is teamed to a six-speed automatic. Nothing outrageous about that, and it also seems aimed at an increasingly fuel-conscious America.

The extreme slope of the roofline will probably be tamed in production but we’d expect the front and rear ends to stay true to the concept. Check out photos below and let us know if you think this Buick sedan will help the brand’s image in the U.S.

Season Recap: Concept We'd Like To See in Production

We’ve already recapped our favorite economy cars, hybrids and SUVs. Now it’s time for the concept cars to take center stage. This auto-show season carmakers were remarkably frugal in debuting new concepts. A stagnant economy and rocky financial situations for many of the major players might have had something to do wtih that, but we don’t like excuses. Those that brought the goods get our praise. Here are the concepts we’d most like to see go into production. 

David Thomas: Land Rover LRX
While I’d really like to see more interesting hybrids on the market, like the Toyota A-BAT, Honda CR-Z and GMC Denali XT, the only concept that floored me with how cool it and had a possible segment to conquer was the diminutive Land Rover. If Land Rover could come out with a miniature all-wheel-drive hatchback before Mini, I think it could bring in a lot of folks looking to downsize while retaining functionality and capability in their car.

Video: Kia Koup Concept

Isn’t everyone a little tired of companies spelling words with a “K” when they should really have a “C”? Come on, when was the last time it ever led to anything good? Krispy Kreme? Kia, however, hopes the misspelling of its Koup is a good thing, and after checking it out in person at the New York auto show I’d have to agree it might be. Some of the folks over on YouTube took me to task for saying that it was both styled like an Acura from the 1990s and futuristic. They contended that would make it out of date, which is true; what I meant was that while it borrows the style, it’s still a modern interpretation. Plus, car nuts I know love Acuras from that time. You decide. Check out the video and let us know what you think in the comments.

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2008 New York Auto Show: Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3

• Looks like: Kizashi 1 + Kizashi 2 = Kizashi 3
• Defining characteristics: Audilike grille, GM V-6 engine
• Ridiculous features: Tiny side mirrors, giant wheels, concept-car headlights and taillights
• Chance of being mass-produced: Definite, though not exactly in the form shown here

Following the Concept Kizashi 1 and Kizashi 2 from last year's Frankfurt and Tokyo motor shows comes the Kizashi 3, which shares elements from both of the earlier cars and looks more like a real product. No coincidence there; Suzuki says the Kizashi 3 is on its way to becoming a real product. It will debut in Japan, where Suzuki says pre-production versions are already built. It is planned for the U.S. as a 2010 model.

The show car looks quite large, but the Kizashi 3 is technically a midsize sedan. The deep grille looks like yet another copy of Audi's new design direction, complete with a chrome cross-member. The car's a bit snub-nosed, similar to the Toyota Camry with which it would compete. The 21-inch wheels and tiny side mirrors are auto-show-only, but Suzuki says the concept is 90-95% of what the real product will look like — bold stuff. The interior is a mystery, because the concept's isn't representative and wasn't on display.

The car shown has all-wheel drive, based on front-wheel-drive architecture that Suzuki claims as its own even though it started its life as GM's Epsilon platform when the U.S. manufacturer owned roughly half of Suzuki. The car is powered by GM's relatively new 3.6-liter direct-injection V-6, which also appears in the Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Malibu, to name two models. It produces 300 hp here. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with paddle shifting.

Check out more photos below and let us know if you think Suzuki is ready to take on the Camry and Accord.

2008 New York Auto Show: Kia Koup

• Looks like: A flashy Honda Civic coupe
• Defining characteristics: Wedge styling, 290-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder
• Ridiculous features: Silicone seat implants, neoprene floor, six-speed automatic transmission
• Chance of being mass-produced: It sure looks ready to go, and we think Kia would be smart to give it the green light

The Kia Koup is a sporty-looking two-door concept that features its share of show-car elements, like a neoprene floor, but it wouldn't take much in terms of styling tweaks to turn the Koup into a production car.

The Koup's front end has a bit of a scowl to it. It has thin, angled headlights, a large lower grille and bumper intakes. Under the domed hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that features direct injection and makes 290 hp and 289 pounds-feet of torque, all to the front wheels. Potential production versions would likely offer normally aspirated engines, but it's nice to see Kia going big by putting a turbo engine in the concept. Rather than a traditional manual transmission, Kia has saddled the concept with a six-speed automatic that features shift paddles ahead of the steering wheel.

The cabin has four bucket seats, with white accents for the front seats and rear seats that are completely black. The backrests have silicone padding to enhance occupant comfort, according to Kia. For more photos, check out the gallery below.

2008 New York Auto Show: Saleen S5S Raptor Concept

• Looks like: Lamborghini meets Acura NSX
• Defining characteristics: Monster 650-hp engine
• Ridiculous features: That this monster may be unleashed on roads
• Chance of being mass-produced: Saleen needs a new supercar, and this looks pretty darn super

Saleen is best known for its custom Mustang work, but the company also builds supercars for the rich and speed-addicted as well. The S5S Raptor concept gives us an idea of what its next supercar will look like.

Unlike concept cars from large manufacturers, Saleen is a small shop that hand-builds its supercars, so bringing the Raptor to production wouldn't take too long. The company says it could go on sale within two years at a price near $185,000.

What would that money get you? A supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 good for 650 hp and 630 pounds-feet of torque. Zero to 60 time? The company predicts 3.2 seconds. Top speed? More than 200 mph. Saleen says these numbers will be aided by the use of E85 ethanol as the car's fuel.

We're fans of the look. It might remind us a little of a Lamborghini up front, but the wild backside makes the Raptor unique. More photos below with more to come from the show floor.

2008 New York Auto Show: Scion Hako Coupe Concept

• Looks like: A modern-day '32 Ford coupe
• Defining characteristics: Boxy shape, vertical windshield, wraparound side windows 
• Ridiculous features: Video screens galore in the cabin
• Chance of being mass-produced: This is the brand that brought the xB to the U.S., so a boxy coupe isn't out of the question

Scion says its Hako Coupe concept was inspired by its xB, and it isn't hard to see similarities between the boxy wagon and this concept. Both models have a vertical grille, and the Hako Coupe goes even further with a completely vertical windshield. The concept's short side windows wrap around the rear end, and the greenhouse is topped by a roof that looks a bit like a toupee.

"We love that slammed, sinister look," said Jack Hollis, Scion’s vice president.

Look inside the concept and you might think the brand put in some mismatched seats, but the use of an orange driver's seat and a black passenger seat is intentional and intended to separate those areas of the cabin. Numerous video screens are sprinkled around the cabin — there are two in the dashboard for the entertainment system and four more in the doors and the rear of the cabin — and the driver can use exterior cameras to record passing scenery, providing a visual record of a trip.

The Hako Coupe is one unusual-looking concept car, but it sure does stand out from the crowd, and that's not easy to do these days. Somehow, someway, I find myself drawn to the look; let us know what you think of it in the comments, and check out the gallery below.

Up Close: BMW Concept CS

According to BMW North America chairman and CEO Tom Purves, the automaker's Concept CS represents what a future grand touring car from BMW might look like. The four-door's sleek lines are instantly appealing, giving the car the look of a coupe, just like Mercedes-Benz's CLS-Class before it.

In front, BMW's traditional twin-kidney grille is present, but it's larger than the one on many of the automaker’s other models. That further defines the front of the car, like Audi has done with its trapezoidal grille. The interior has a minimalistic design theme that's light on knobs and buttons and is finished in brown and tan materials.

If BMW is wondering, I think a car like the Concept CS makes a lot of sense for the brand. It would give BMW another niche offering that it could build using an existing platform, but appeal to a buyer looking for something more stylish than a regular sedan.

Related:
BMW CS Concept

2008 New York Auto Show: Ford Transit Connect Taxi Concept

• Looks like: A new take on the NYC classic
• Defining characteristics: It’s not a Crown Victoria
• Ridiculous features: No hybrid powertrain
• Chance of being mass-produced: Pretty high. The Crown Vic is aging and gas prices are soaring

Last month, Ford announced that it would begin importing its Transit Connect commercial van to the U.S. by 2010. Today in New York City, the company is showing one of the ways the van could be utilized on a mass scale.

The Transit Connect Taxi has more than 75 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear-cab seats that fit three passengers. The van also features a small, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gets 19 mpg in city driving which the company claims is 30% higher than the Crown Vic. We’re not sure if that’s a great enough improvement, and we would rather see the hybrid system from the Escape Hybrid that gets 30 mpg in the city. More photos below.

Lincoln MKT Heading to Production

We were mildly surprised to learn today that Lincoln is moving forward with plans to build a production version of the MKT concept shown at the Detroit auto show this past January. The company has confirmed with the Detroit News that it will also discontinue the Mark LT pickup.

The MKT will be based on the same platform as the upcoming Ford Flex and will most likely have a third row of seats, unlike the two-row concept. We expect it to keep the radical-looking grille, but Ford says the design is still in the early stages of testing with focus groups.

With the MKT in the lineup, Lincoln hopes to solidify its renaissance. With it, the new MKS flagship sedan and the popular MKX crossover, the company has three fresh products. The aging Navigator recently got a refresh, while the MKZ — based on the Ford Fusion — seems like the odd car out of this revamped lineup.

As for the MKT, perhaps Lincoln is looking to score a home run like Buick recently did with its Enclave crossover. Do you think the MKT and MKS will help Lincoln’s lineup?

Ford polishes its U.S. luxury brand (Detroit News)

Think Ox Concept

Think is a Norwegian company specializing in small electric vehicles. Its new concept, called Ox, looks to be a much more mainstream vehicle than any of the minicars the company sells overseas. Roughly the size of a Scion xB, the front-wheel-drive Ox MPV will have a 60-kW electric motor and a range of 124 miles on a full charge. It can be charged via a normal household outlet. Charging the car to 80% will take just an hour using a special charger, while a full charge will take 12 hours. 

The company is planning to use either sodium or lithium-ion batteries, and there’s a strip of solar cells running down the center of the roof. The Ox is built on an interchangeable platform, so a coupe body style with a larger motor and batteries or a taxicab configuration could also be manufactured.

Unfortunately, the Ox looks to be a true concept, with no firm date on when we could expect to see it on the road. The other unfortunate part is that Think doesn’t have a presence in the U.S. General Electric recently invested $4 million into Think, though, so don’t give up hope of one day seeing the Ox on the street. More photos below.

2008 New York Auto Show: Mitsubishi i, i MiEV

• Looks like: Something a meter maid would drive
• Defining characteristics: Small size, electric power plant
• Ridiculous features: “Minority Report” looks
• Chance of being mass-produced: These are already on sale in Japan, but the chance they’ll come to the U.S. is less than 50%

Mitsubishi’s tiny i minicar has been on sale in Japan since 2006, but the company will display it at a U.S. auto show for the first time next week at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. The gasoline version isn’t a concept but a production model, while an electric-powered version called the i MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle) is a concept.

The concept i MiEV will sit next to the i at the show and has a small electric motor that the company says is a better performer than the small, 64-hp gasoline engine already on sale. It has a lithium-ion battery, and Mitsubishi says it can travel 100 miles on a single charge. The kicker is, the i MiEV will go on sale in Japan in 2009.

The i car (133.7 inches) is a couple feet longer than a Smart ForTwo (106.1 inches) and about a foot shorter than a Mini Cooper (146.2 inches). We’d guess it could pass U.S. safety regulations, but Mitsubishi is pretty mum on its intentions when it comes to putting it on sale in the U.S. That makes us wonder why the company would bother showing the cars at the New York show. Perhaps it just wants some green-friendly publicity. What do you think? With the Toyota iQ possibly coming to the states, is there room for another similar model? Or even the electric one? A few more photos below.

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Coming to New York

Information on what's going to appear at the New York auto show later this month continues to trickle in, with Suzuki announcing it will show its Concept Kizashi 3. Suzuki has shown two Kizashi concepts at previous overseas auto shows, and all three of the concepts will be in New York. The automaker says the Concept Kizashi 3 hints at what a sport sedan from Suzuki might look like. Let us know what you think of the sketch, and check back March 20 for additional info and images of the concept.

Scion Hako Concept Set for New York Debut

Scion has released this teaser image of its Hako coupe concept, which it will fully unveil at the New York auto show later this month. It's not much, but the photo does give a sense of what some of the car's lines might be. To find out how accurate the mental picture you form of this vehicle is, check back March 19 to see the entire car.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: Hyundai HED-5 "i-Mode"

• Looks like: Another small diesel concept we won’t see stateside even if it hits production elsewhere
• Defining characteristics: Twin front-to-back skylights
• Ridiculous features: For a concept, nothing really
• Chance of being mass-produced: There’s nothing so extravagant we’d say “no way” for a possible production version; the engine has already been confirmed for European production

Hyundai adds one more eco-friendly concept, the HED-5 “i-Mode,” to the long list of environmentally sensitive concepts that automakers have been pumping out recently at auto shows. This Hyundai isn’t promising revolutionary hydrogen power or hybrid components; its claimed eco-awareness comes from high-tech, lightweight materials and a small turbocharged diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The i-Mode aims to create a social experience in the cabin with seating for six passengers and a power-operated front passenger seat that swivels to face rear occupants. There’s also an integrated multimedia system with access to the web, video games and movies, plus a wireless keyboard, mouse, game controllers and headphones.

LRX Concept Gets a New Paint Job for Geneva Motor Show

Land Rover's sporty SUV concept that wowed us earlier this year at the Detroit auto show has reappeared at the Geneva Motor Show wearing a new black and silver paint job. It looks just as good now as it did painted white in Detroit, where it won our Ultimate Concept Car award. For more photos of this new LRX, check out the gallery below.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: Mitsubishi Prototype-S

Looks like: A four-door hatchback version of the Lancer

Defining characteristics: Massive trapezoidal grille, forward-swept liftgate, turbocharged four-cylinder, twin-clutch transmission

Ridiculous features: Giant rear spoiler

Chance of being mass-produced: Europe will get a production version later this year; we can only hope the U.S. is in line for it, too

Mitsubishi says the Prototype-S concept car you see here foreshadows what the next Lancer Sportback will look like. The design is a far cry from the last Lancer Sportback offered in the U.S. a few years ago, which was decidedly more wagon-like than this racy hatchback.

Like its exterior, the powertrain in the Prototype-S seems like it has a reasonable shot at making it to production. That's because it's very similar to what's under the hood of the new 2009 Lancer Ralliart. Specifically, the concept features a 237-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that teams with Mitsubishi's six-speed twin-clutch transmission. The transmission has both manual and automatic modes, and engine power is routed to all four wheels through an all-wheel-drive system that includes an electronically controlled center differential.

2008 Geneva Motor Show: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

• Looks like: Another way for eco-conscious celebrities to get to the Oscars
• Defining characteristics: Turbo-diesel hybrid powertrain, lithium-ion battery pack, eight-speed automatic transmission, roof-mounted solar panels, average fuel economy of 36 mpg
• Ridiculous features: Its name
• Chance of being mass produced: With other luxury automakers already in the hybrid game or entering soon, it's a no-brainer for BMW to establish a presence — if not with a production version of this hybrid, then something else.

BMW has chosen its X5 luxury SUV as the platform for which to showcase a hybrid concept dubbed Vision EfficientDynamics. The all-wheel-drive concept utilizes a 204-hp, twin-turbo 2.0-liter diesel engine that's supplemented by an electric motor, according to BMW.

Unlike the previously shown X6 hybrid concept, the mild hybrid system in the Vision EfficientDynamics cannot operate solely on electric power. However, the diesel engine does turn off when the vehicle comes to a halt to save fuel and the concept also features regenerative braking technology to capture kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost. That energy is stored for later use in a lithium-ion battery pack in the rear of the SUV. Average fuel economy for the concept works out to about 36 mpg, according to the automaker, which is a 100% improvement over the X5's 18 mpg combined rating with the base 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder.

Saab Teases 9-1X Concept

The Geneva Motor Show is shaping up to be more exciting than most of the big shows in the U.S. this season. The latest news from overseas is this teaser image from Saab showing the shadowy silhouette of a car. What car is it? None other than the 9-1X concept, a premium compact car designed to compete with the Volvo C30 and Mini Cooper.

The image rests between the 9X Concept 9-4X Concept 9X concept we saw in Detroit and last year’s Aero X concept. Presumably, the 9-1X would share those same aggressive front ends. There are no— and we mean zero — hard facts on this car, but it could be just the thing to bring Saab aficionados back to the brand. We’ll know more in a few weeks.

Driving with the Fishes

The James Bond comparisons are inevitable for Rinspeed’s new sQuba. The Swiss company will debut the amphibious concept car at the Geneva Auto Show next month, and flashbacks to Roger Moore and a bikinied woman will no doubt follow.

The sQuba — note the big Q, another nod to James Bond lore — is a car capable of driving on land at a top speed of about 77 mph, and then driving straight into water. It can move about three mph on the surface or dive down as deep as 30 feet where it slows to 1.8 mph. The sQuba’s ability to completely submerge in water makes it different — not to mention superior — to typical amphibious cars like those the military use: The sQuba is a true submersible, whereas military vehicles like the LARC-V can only wade slowly on a lakebed or coast.

Rinspeed accomplished this with three electric motors, one of which powers the car on land and two that turn the underwater screw that propels the vehicle in its water driving. The only catch is that for safety reasons, Rinspeed made the sQuba a convertible, so occupants will remain exposed underwater and will have to breathe from a tank of compressed air as if they were scuba diving.

So what will a brand new sQuba set you back? The prototype cost $1.5 million, but Rinspeed thinks it can get the price down to a cool $400,000 if it reaches limited production.

No Fins but Rinspeed’s ‘sQuba’ Car Still Swims. Really! (USA Today)

Natural Gas Porsche Clone Makes Methane Sexy

Honda has been selling a version of its Civic sedan that runs on natural gas for a few years. Didn’t know that? Most people don’t. But you can buy one and a home refueling station if you live in New York or California. The French company PGO decided to draw attention to their CNG car by putting it in a classic Porsche-styled body.

The retro ride is fueled by natural gas too and will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. PGO, which has no relation to Porsche, says the roadster has a small turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 150 hp and goes 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds. It also has a range of 280 miles.

The French company says it will produce a limited run of the $70,000 convertible but would gauge reaction to see if it will build more. Would a radical look convince you to go the natural gas route?

Gorgeous CNG-Fueled Porsche Clone Debuts In Geneva (Autotopia)

2008 Chicago Auto Show: Chevy Decides to Show Off Camaro After All

Yup, Chevrolet reads KickingTires.

Chevy officials read the recent item here that the Camaro sports coupe concept would be absent from the Chicago Auto Show that opens Friday, and how the move perplexed us when there would be another new muscle car rolled out nearby.

Chevy said the coupe and convertible concepts had already done the rounds at the major shows in Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago and New York, and now it was time to feature it at smaller shows, like in Philadelphia, this year.

But at a time when GM could use visible enthusiasm for its cars, why not bring the Camaro to Chicago, the auto show on the circuit that attracts the most consumer interest and historically serves as a barometer of potential popularity?

"We read the item, asked some GM folks about why we couldn't show Camaro in Chicago and got permission to have it at the show; the yellow Bumble Bee Camaro from the movie ‘Transformers,’" said Chevy spokesman Terry Rhadigan.

So, Bumble Bee will be part of the Chevy display in the GM exhibit, where all GM divisions will be housed in the North Hall at McCormick Place. You can thank us in the comments below.

2008 Chicago Auto Show: GMC Denali XT Hybrid Concept Video

This year’s Chicago Auto Show kicks off its media preview days tomorrow, but Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder got an early, and very up-close, look at the GMC Denali XT hybrid pickup concept. Could this be the future of pickup trucks? Or is it just a blast to the El Camino-loving past? Check out the video and let us know what you think.

More 2008 Chicago Auto Show News

2008 Chicago Auto Show: GMC Denali XT Hybrid Truck Concept

• Looks like: A stylish Honda Ridgeline
• Defining characteristics: Hybrid V-8 with looks and efficiency
• Ridiculous features: Surprisingly none, unless you include the giant 23-inch wheels
• Chance of being mass-produced: Consumer feedback will dictate, but if we find out the powertrain is real, its chances will rise exponentially

Since the Chicago Auto Show is known as one for trucks, we're really impressed with GMC's concept. The Denali XT Hybrid is good-looking and features an innovative hybrid powertrain that we hope will come down the line soon. What you need to know about the Denali XT is that it has a small, 4.9-liter V-8 engine teamed to an electric motor. They work together to pump out a very respectable 326 hp.

GM says it will get 50% better fuel economy than comparable "small trucks." We're not sure what those would be, but let's assume they're talking about the Honda Ridgeline, which has a 17 mpg combined figure. If the XT got 25 mpg combined, that would be pretty impressive. The engine uses cylinder deactivation and direct injection to improve efficiency, and if it were produced it would also be the first E85 capable hybrid.

Built on a unibody frame instead of a conventional truck frame, the Denali XT would have a better ride — with a stiffer body and four-wheel-independent suspension — than a traditional pickup, but would tow only 3,500 pounds. The Ridgeline, for example, can tow 5,000 pounds. There's a configurable midgate that separates the bed from the cabin. It can be lowered to extend the bed, but the window is fixed so only items like lumber and surfboards would fit. Sorry antiquers.

The Denali XT sounds good, but not many people have bought the Ridgeline, which was one of the better-executed trucks of its size in some time. Perhaps the bling looks — and especially the hybrid powertrain — will draw in new buyers. For now, we'll just have to wait and see if this becomes a reality. Let us know in the comments if you think a vehicle like this is needed, and check out more photos below.

ZAP Alias: An Affordable Electric Sports Car?

ZAP is a California company that has been making very small electric vehicles for a few years and selling them through a handful of dealers nationally. It’s a small operation, which means we’ll reign in our enthusiasm for the just-announced Alias electric sports car.

ZAP is planning to produce the Alias with help from Lotus Engineering — which also worked with Tesla Motors — and promises an affordable electric sports car that can hit 60 mph in under six seconds with the equivalent of 321 hp.

Because the Alias has three wheels, ZAP might be able to skirt safety requirements for cars and classify the Alias as a motorcycle. ZAP is hoping to keep the MSRP at $30,000, and folks can make a down payment on one — for $5,000 — via the company’s website. While you’re there, you can also buy a ZAP charger for your iPod.

The Alias will be on display at the National Automotive Dealers Association convention in San Francisco next weekend. Last year ZAP showed off an electric sedan, the ZAP-X, that was also developed with Lotus. We have yet to see that on sale or available for testing.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Ford Explorer America Concept

KickingTires’ own Suburban Dad took on the most suburb-tastic concept at the Detroit auto show and filed this video report. We have to say, the sliding seats on the center track are pretty nifty. But we never knew the tailgate of an SUV could provide an escape for mom and dad.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Winners and Losers: Concept Cars

This year’s Detroit auto show was awash in concept cars; they outnumbered new production cars almost two to one. Cars.com’s David Thomas, Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder take the automotive visions and boil down what wowed and what fizzled.

Cadillac CTS Coupe

David Thomas: Winner
This was the only true “surprise” of the show, and it looked pretty darn good in person. The back end needs some work, but besides that this could and should be rolling through your cul-de-sac in short order.

Mike Hanley: Winner
I agree with Dave that the rear-quarter of the coupe could be better shaped, and it wouldn't hurt to make that part of the car a little smaller, too. On the whole, however, the car is a looker and it gets my nod.

Joe Wiesenfelder: Winner
I like it overall, though the tail definitely goes too far. I'm confident they'll build the thing. The CTS sedan is so strong, GM would be foolish not to spread it around.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Toyota A-BAT Concept

One concept that surprised us at the Detroit auto show was this compact hybrid pickup from Toyota. The A-BAT was a terrific size when you were standing right next to it. You don’t really find trucks this small anymore, and a hybrid power plant would certainly up its cache if it ever came to market. Check out the video with me as your humble host for a better look.

Up Close: Toyota A-BAT Hybrid Pickup Concept

The very first new car I ever owned was a 1985 Toyota pickup. As a college student, I loved it. It offered freedom, a sense of adventure and it was completely stripped. No radio, no rear bumper, a bench seat, manual window cranks, you name it.

Now, more than 20 years later, small pickups like that one are an endangered species, but Toyota's A-BAT concept takes trucks like the Honda Ridgeline and Chevy Avalanche and boils them down to something more the size of my first truck.

Maybe most important to today's young drivers, the A-BAT is a hybrid, keeping trips to the gas station few and far between.

Up Close: Cadillac CTS Coupe

The CTS Coupe introduced at the Detroit auto show is technically a concept, but it looks like it's closer to being a prototype. It's based on the sedan and shares its front end, with the exception of the domed hood. I think it looks a bit slab-sided, and I suspect the diamond-cut rear end will be controversial. 

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Fisker Karma Plug-In Hybrid

• Looks like: A swoopier Maserati Quattroporte
• Defining characteristics: First plug-in lithium hybrid, $80,000 price tag
• Ridiculous features: Idea that these could be crowding the streets of L.A. in 2010
• Chance of being mass-produced: Fisker says it’s ready to build this car, but we’ve heard that story before *cough*Tesla*cough*

Last year, a little Silicon Valley carmaker called Tesla promised an all-electric sports car for the low price of $100,000. No sign of that yet, but today Fisker automotive, which has built custom sports cars before — though we’ve never heard of any actual sales — unveiled the Karma plug-in hybrid in Detroit.

The company says it has extensively tested the lithium-ion battery pack that the Karma concept is said to be packing. Fisker is so confident in the technology and the design that it’s announcing production will commence at the end of 2009, with sales starting in 2010. The press release even has a form you can fill out and send in with $1,000 for a down payment on the estimated $80,000 base price. There’s a luxury version that will go for an estimated $100,000 that requires $5,000 down.

The four-door promises a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, which is respectable for its weight, with a top speed of 125 mph. It would go up to 50 miles on electric power alone before a gasoline engine/generator kicks in to charge the batteries. Yes, this is exactly the setup GM is working on for the Volt and other plug-ins.

We’ll remain skeptical – very, very skeptical — until we see one of these in a celebrity’s hands, knowing they paid their hard-earned dollars for it. At least it looks cool in the photos below.

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Racer Motors Mach 5

• Looks like: Nothing on the road today
• Defining characteristics: Tri-point nose, open cockpit, big red M on the hood
• Ridiculous features: Let's see — jump jacks, bulletproof windshield, blades that extend from the front…
• Chance of being mass-produced: On big screens this summer, excellent; on your local highways and byways, not so much

With the upcoming release of “Speed Racer” this summer, from the guys who brought you “The Matrix,” the movie’s Mach 5 is on display in Detroit. The sleek lines haven't changed, but now we have a fuller understanding of the nuts and bolts beneath the buttons and jumps.

The Mach 5 has a gutsy engine that's capable of generating 1,000 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 1,000 pounds-feet of torque at 7,000 rpm. Oddly, no estimates for gas mileage are given in the Race Motors press release, but perhaps that's on purpose. All that power of course leads to heady speeds, and the Mach 5 is capable of topping out at 300 mph, leaving your racing competitors and, ahem, the police far behind. Watch out for those G-forces, though. You'd hate to black out while traveling 300 mph.

As for features in the Mach 5, there are of course jump jacks to lift you out of danger — or over those Chicago winter potholes — plus Zircon-tipped saw blades to clear out jungle foliage, or trim that overgrown back lawn. And don’t forget about the bulletproof windshield, shields to protect your tires from treacherous foes, and a remote-controlled camera that can transmit footage to whomever you’d like.

As an everyday car, the Mach 5 may fall a little short. There's only room for two inside, and although the trunk looks small, it's often been used to house stowaways in the form of small children or chimps.

Watch for this car to make its North American debut on May 9 at a theater near you. And check out more photos below.

2008 Detroit Auto Show Video: Cadillac Coupe Concept

Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder grabbed a quick video of the Cadillac CTS Coupe concept when it moved from the stage to its final show perch on a rotating pedestal. We'll have more insight from Joe on the CTS Coupe soon.

More info and photos of the CTS Coupe Concept

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Land Rover LRX Hybrid Concept

• Looks like: Land Rover wants to take on moon craters
• Defining characteristics: Two doors on an SUV
• Ridiculous features: iPhone Docking Facility
• Chance of being mass-produced: Not very high; sales are decent but new ownership may change product planning

The LRX concept is important to Land Rover for two reasons: It shows a new design direction for a very traditionally styled lineup, and it features a diesel hybrid powerplant. Since, the LRX is just a concept we’re not sure if either feature will make it to production, but a diesel hybrid has yet to hit the streets and an off-road capable SUV might be the place for one.

The LRX is nearly six inches shorter than the current LR2, which isn’t the largest of SUVs out there, so this little SUV might compete against a future Mini Cooper SUV — and yes, one is in the works, folks.

Technology is also a big part of the LRX with lots of features for apple fans. There are docks just for your iPhone and iPod and a cooler which we’ve actually seen in production Land Rovers. More photos below. 

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

• Looks like: Someone forgot to bolt on the back doors
• Defining characteristics: Radically sloping rear
• Ridiculous features: None — this is one straight-shooting concept
• Chance of being mass-produced: 95% or so; the XLR proved a Cadillac sports car can’t be too expensive

The Cadillac CTS Coupe concept was one of the few real surprises at this year’s show. Held tightly under wraps, the CTS Coupe shows what a production two-door version of the recently redesigned CTS would look like. In fact, it looks so production-ready we’d bet even odds it’ll be at a dealer near you in 2009.

The coupe has the same wheelbase as the sedan but is 2 inches shorter overall, and the height is roughly 2 inches lower as well. There are two seats in the back, but this is clearly a driver’s car. Expect the engines in a production model to be the same as the sedan: 3.6-liter V-6s putting out 258 or 304 hp. We’d even bet on a CTS-V coupe coming along someday down the road, too.

Cadillac is winning over buyers because of its edgy looks and sporty driving nature; the new CTS isn't staying on lots long. The last time Cadillac dipped into the two-door category was with the XLR, which has an $80,000 price of entry. A sub-$40,000 sport coupe like this would definitely broaden appeal.  Check out all that appeal in more photos below.

2008 Detroit Auto Show: Lincoln MKT Concept

• Looks like: Lincoln actually has a design direction
• Defining characteristics: Nothing says show-car like a wild grille, and this one’s wild
• Ridiculous features: Four airplane-like seats
• Chance of being mass-produced: Very, very good. It won’t be this luxurious, but expect the MKT to go on sale by the end of the decade

The Lincoln MKT is the next generation of crossovers for the Lincoln brand. While Lincoln may not be setting the world on fire, it does sell well with SUVs and crossovers. The Navigator continues to be a strong seller, no matter how high gas prices get, and the new MKX has done sold briskly as well.

The MKT looks to be a car-based crossover that’s larger than the MKX and smaller than Navigator. The concept has four seats, captains chairs like the kind that you'd find in the first-class cabin of an airplane. We expect those to be sacrificed for a third row of seats if the MKT goes into production.

This concept also shows off Ford’s new EcoBoost turbo engines. A V-6 version in the MKT puts out V-8 power, 415 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. That type of power will come with less pain at the pump, Ford claims. We like that this concept has an actual engine planned for it, but we really like the looks. Check out the photos below and let us know if the MKT is worth adding another SUV to the Lincoln lineup.