Acura NSX Concept
It's not too often we get to say this, but if they don't build this, they're crazy. The Acura NSX Concept ($TBA) revives one of the world's best-known supercar monikers in style, with a rear-mounted V6 powerplant that's helped along by an electric motor, all-wheel-drive, the ability to apply positive or negative torque to the front wheels during cornering, a dual-clutch transmission, and lust-worthy looks. Oh, and about that "crazy" bit — the production version should arrive in within the next three years, and if that wasn't enough, they're building it in Uncrate's home state of OH.
Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept
There are few more conceptually fitting pairings that make more sense than the peace-loving VW Bug and an eco-friendly all-electric drivetrain, so it's no surprise that the Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept ($TBA) is pretty much exactly that. This slightly-reworked current-gen Beetle features a 114hp electric motor, a lithium-ion battery good for 100 miles of range, LED daytime running lights and graphics, 20-inch wheels, and — surprisingly — a rather reasonable interior layout.
Chevrolet Code 130R Concept
With the Detroit Auto Show kicking off today, expect a menu of concept cars this week. The rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Code 130R Concept ($TBA) combines strong looks (the company calls it "heritage performance-inspired styling") with MPG-friendly turbocharged performance. The 4-seat coupe, which sports an aggressive front fascia and fender flares, is powered by a 1.4L Turbo Ecotec engine that's good for 150 horsepower and 40 MPG. The Code 130R also offers matte anodized gold wheels, WiFi,and smartphone integration.
Lexus LF-LC Concept
Next time someone makes a comment about the lame, oversized late '90s era Lexus sedan down the street, show them a picture of this and laugh. Lexus LF-LC Concept ($TBA) is a radical take on the four-seater coupe, with an impressively fluid body, wild front fascia, funky headlamps, and a multi-layered instrument panel. As with most concepts, you're guess is a good as ours as to when — or even if — something resembling this beauty might be available in your neck fo the galaxy.
Homage T-Shirts
Behold the awesome old school goodness of these vintage-printed, buttery-soft Homage T-Shirts. They turn back the clock with shout outs to eclectic moments and personalities in sports, music, politics and popular culture. From Bruce Lee to Larry Bird, the tees tell stories of triumph, individualism and hustle. Pay Homage.
Dodge Charger Redline
So it's not a really-real model, but the Dodge Charger Redline ($TBA) does do a fine job of showing what your pedestrian sedan could be like with a little help from Mopar. This concept car showcases all three Mopar performance kits for the Charger — Stage I, which includes a full-width carbon fiber chin spoiler, a two-piece body-color grille, 20-inch wheels, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler; Stage II, which includes a cat-back performance exhaust, a front-tower cross-brace and brace caps for increased stability, and high-performance brake linings; the race-oriented Stage III, which includes an aluminum Gen III HO 426 HEMI engine that boosts output to 590 hp while shaving more than 100 lbs. off the weight of the traditional cast-iron version. Unfortunately, the last stage isn't approved for use on public roads, so unless you're going to be spending a lot of time at the track, you'd best look elsewhere for your horsepower fix.
Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept
Today's edition of "Concept Cars We'd Buy Right Now" comes to you courtesy of the Volkswagen Cross Coupe Concept ($TBA). Based on Veedub's new modular transverse matrix platform, the Cross Coupe is actually smaller than the current Tiguan despite its muscular stance, and offers all-wheel-drive, a hybrid power system consisting of two electric motors and a turbocharged gas engine that's good for 262 hp and an electric range of up to 25 miles, 20-inch wheels, LED foglights, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an oversized aluminum shift lever, and, of course, a touchscreen to monitor and control most vehicle functions. Arriving in dealerships (hopefully) sooner rather than later.
Nissan Juke-R
Sure, it's name leaves something to be desired — we've taken to calling it the "juker" for short — but the Nissan Juke-R ($TBA) is intriguing nonetheless. A one-off build, the Juke-R takes Nissan's smallish crossover and crams a 485 hp, twin-turbo V6 — taken from the GT-R, in case you were wondering — under its stunted hood, making for what are sure to be some striking track times, and adds to the flair with a matte black paint job, black rims, racing seats, and five-point harnesses. Not much more is known about the beast, other than the fact that you're unlikely to see it in the wild anytime soon.
Subaru BRZ STI Concept
Sure, it's still a work in progress, but we'd be more than happy to hop behind the wheel of the Subaru BRZ STI Concept ($TBA) as-is. Developed in collaboration with Toyota, the BRZ STi is a rear-wheel drive sports car, powered by a 2.0L Boxer four-cylinder engine and sporting a carbon fiber roof for reduced weight and a lower center of gravity, as well as a STi-designed lower front grille, hawk eye headlights, and fin-shaped fog lamps. Hit up the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show this weekend if you'd like to see it before it retreats back into the development labs, (possibly) never to be seen again.
1969 Holden Hurricane
Sometimes the future invented by the past is even more exciting than the one we're actually living. The 1969 Holden Hurricane ($TBA) is a perfect example. Originally unveiled at the 1969 Melbourne Motor Show, this sleek ride featured a mid-mounted, 262hp V8 engine boasting advanced components such as the four-barrel carburetor, rear-wheel drive, a glorious fold-forward windshield assembly in lieu of doors, and "futuristic" features like electronic digital instrument displays, a radio with seek capability, automatic temperature control, a rear-vision camera, and a quasi-GPS system called the "Pathfinder". Come to think of it, that sounds an awful lot like the present — only most of our cars aren't this good looking.
1969 BMW Spicup
And you thought a matter of months was a long time to wait for a concept car to become real. The 1969 BMW Spicup ($TBA) has been hidden away for over 20 years — after nearly as many years of use — only recently rearing its futurism-from-the-past head at an auction. Features include a 2.8L SOHC straight-six engine, a retractable roof — novel for the time — designed by Enzo Cingolani, and a completely restored body and interior that replaces some... interesting design choices, such as rust-friendly untreated metal body panels and termite-attracting wooden bumpers.
Volkswagen Buggy Up Concept
VW has a knack for making fun cars, and the Volkswagen Buggy Up Concept ($TBA) is no exception. Based on the company's new Up! city car and inspired by the Beetle-based beach buggies of the '60s, the Buggy Up features a reinforced underbody, a roof-less and door-less exterior, neoprene-covered seats, a completely waterproof interior, and an iPod-powered infotainment system that pulls out to serve as a portable sound system. Sadly, there's no word yet on a production model, but you can put us down for one if/when it ever appears.
Mercedes-Benz F125 Concept
When you've been in business for 125 years — and spent many of them making arguably the world's finest production vehicles — you're allowed to "dream big" sometimes. Which helps to explain the Mercedes-Benz F125 Concept ($TBA). The F125 might just offer a glimpse of our motoring future, with its hybrid electric/hydrogen propulsion, e4MATIC all-wheel-drive, touch, speech, and gesture controls for the car's various functions, which you'll monitor on the 3D and projector-beam displays, fully-realized Internet integration, and enormous but lightweight gullwing doors that offer access to both the front and rear passenger compartments. Let's just hope it doesn't take another 125 years for something like this to hit the road.