Audi AI:Trail Quattro Concept SUV

The AI:Trail concept looks at first glance like Audi's attempt at making an off-planet vehicle, not something merely for going offroad here on earth. An all-electric vehicle, the AI:Trail encloses its passengers in a glass bubble, and the massively knobby tires appear nearly separate from the body with only small fenders covering them. Despite its futuristic styling, the AI:Trail uses the drivetrain from the E-Tron SUV and was designed for pushing it to the limit. To go along with the space-buggy looks, there are features that are way ahead of their time, like rooftop-mounted drones that replace the headlights and Level 4 autonomous driving.

CUPRA Tavascan Concept SUV

Cupra, the high-performance division of Volkswagen's Spanish SEAT automaker, has unveiled an all-electric SUV concept that takes car design to another level. The sleek exterior benefits from the lack of an internal combustion engine to maximize aerodynamics, with the 22-inch turbine wheels being designed to move air cleanly around the body. The doors open to reveal a pillar-less entry for easy egress, and showcase the carbon fiber structure and sculpted interior. Cupra uses VW-sourced electric motors at each axle and a battery pack mounted low in the floor, good for 279 miles of range. The Tavascan will make its public debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany.

Porsche 988 Vision Concept

Porsche would be the first to point out that their current upper-tier 911 variants do just fine against their mid-engined competition. That didn't stop designer Invisive from imagining the form a modern mid-engined effort from Stuttgart might take. This Porsche 988 Vision Concept applies a hyper-futuristic, yet instantly-recognizable form to the idea. Massive wheels set in precisely-sculpted arches, huge ducts underneath the LED headlights and behind the doors funnel air to the engine, and rear-facing cameras replace traditional mirrors, only adding to the clean look.

Volkswagen I.D. BUGGY Concept

In 1964 Bruce Meyers introduced the Meyers Manx, a fiberglass body on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis, and created one of the wildest combinations of German engineering and American design ever imagined. VW has come up with their own take on the buggy, replacing the rear-mounted flat-four with an electric drivetrain and bringing the classic into the modern age. Built on VW's MEB modular electric platform, the Dune Buggy's electric motor delivers 201 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque with a 62kWh battery that's good 155 miles of range. The interior uses waterproof materials and an ultra-minimalist design to maximize resistance to the elements, and the electric drivetrain leaves plenty of space for four passengers despite the small dimensions. The I.D. Buggy will make its debut in the US at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Acura Type S Concept

The NSX has finally started to shake the Acura lineup with the debut of the Type S concept. It's been a decade since a Type S has been seen from Acura and the concept car points towards a much-needed change in Honda's luxury lineup. The Diamond Pentagram grille is still recognizable, but with a much smaller size that fits the crisp, taut lines and lower stance. The fastback silhouette has windows with no pillars — just tight gaps in the window glass, an interesting design that we hope to see on the production model. Quad exhaust outlets and 21" wheels with Brembo brake calipers visible beneath them a hint at the performance of the Type S, but Honda offered no details about what lurks under the hood. The Type S will be on public display during the Monterey Car Week.

Land Rover Back Packer Concept

Land Rover made its name by going nearly anywhere on Earth that could be reached with four wheels. Designer Edwin Senger has taken the basic DNA of Land Rover and distilled it down into a concept vehicle that not only can take you into the great outdoors — it also doubles as your shelter once you're there. Dubbed the Back Packer, this EV is imagined as modular offroad transportation that is booked like a hotel. Configurable storage and equipment options are noted ahead of time, with everything customized for exactly what you need for your trip. The two-seater's roof is designed to double as a tent, with a flexible solar sail for recharging the batteries. While definitely not ready for the production line, Senger's concept is an exciting look at what is possible with EVs in the not-too-distant future.

Photos: Edwin Senger

Renault E-Plein Air Concept Car

The market for converting classic automobiles to electric vehicles is growing, and manufacturers are starting to notice. Everything from Jaguar E-Types to '80s icons like the Ferrari 308 GTB can be found with electric motors, and now Renault looks like it might be interested in testing the waters with the E-Plein Air concept. The original Plein Air had a production run of only around 500 units and gained fame as a beach car with its doorless, open-top design. Under the retro looks is the mechanicals of the Twizy city car. The 6.1 kWh battery is good for only about 62 miles — just enough to get you from your apartment to the beach.

Lexus GXOR Overlanding Concept

Making its debut at this year's FJ Summit in Colorado, the Lexus GXOR is proof you don't have to trade luxury for capability. This modified GX — itself a rebadged Land Cruiser Prado — is transformed via a host of third-party aftermarket gear. Outside, there are Icon Vehicle Dynamics shocks and a 2.5-inch lift, 18-inch F-Sport wheels with General Grabber tires, CBI frame sliders, underbody armor, and bumper, a Warn winch, Eezi-Awn K9 roof rack, and safari snorkel. In the cargo area there's a National Luna fridge/freezer combo, Goose Gear custom drawers, more storage above in the form of Alu-boxes, and even more storage — and sleeping space — in the custom Patriot Campers X1H trailer out back. The vehicle will be on display through the weekend, and while it's unlikely to ever get an official release, you can bet enthusiasts are busy building their own already.

Bentley EXP 100 GT Coupe

Bentley released the last of its Centenary limited edition model earlier this month, but the 100th-anniversary celebrations aren't quite over. In a live stream, Bentley unveiled the EXP 100 GT concept, an all-electric ultra-luxury grand tourer that points to the future of Bentley's lineup. The car is massive at 19 feet long and 7.8 feet wide, although at 4,188 pounds, it's over a 1,000 pounds lighter than the current Continental GT. The size is offset by an electric powertrain that delivers 1,106 lb-ft of torque, pushing the EXP 100 GT from 0-62 in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 186 MPH — with a range of 435 miles. The exterior is one of the best-looking cars we've seen in years, and the inside is flush with the luxurious appointments you'd expect from Bentley. While the EXP 100 GT won't be going into production, we hope to see the styling and features come to production models soon.

BMW X7 Pick-Up Truck

Built by BMW Group vocational trainees working with the Concept Vehicle Construction and Model Technology divisions at the company's Munich plant, this X7 Pick-Up Truck is a strikingly well-considered one-off. It's based on the X7 xDrive40i, with a 340 hp six-cylinder and standard all-wheel-drive, but replaces the third row of seating and covered cargo area with a bed handcrafted from teak. The bed measures a little under five feet long with the gate up and six and a half feet open, letting it accommodate the matching BMW F 850 GS motorcycle it's shown with.

BMW Vision M NEXT Coupe Concept

In a future where cars will drive themselves, will there still be a place for the Ultimate Driving Machine? BMW gives an emphatic yes to that question with the Vision M NEXT concept. Combining the latest in BMW's forward-looking tech with the sporty driving dynamics the company built its reputation on, the M NEXT looks to be the successor to the M1 that the i8 wasn't. The hybrid powertrain combines electric motors and a turbocharged four-cylinder for over 600 horsepower and can operate on either exclusively. The car can switch between rear- or all-wheel-drive and has a Boost+ button for instant power from the electric motor. BMW claims a top speed of 186 MPH and a 0-62 time of three seconds. The interior features AR displays for everything from car telemetry to driver biometric info like heart rate. The ultimate driving machine indeed.

Skoda Mountiaq Truck Concept

Some of the best SUVs on the market aren't available to customers in the US, like the new Suzuki Jimny and the stripped-down versions of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Another great SUV we in the States are going to miss out on is the very production-ready looking Skoda Mountiaq truck. Based on Skoda's Kodiaq SUV, the Mountaiq is an extended-cab pickup loaded with hardcore offroad features. 35 apprentice designers at the Skoda Vocational School spent eight months coming up the Mountiaq, and their attention to detail shows. The muscular stance is enhanced by a bull bar, winch, and snorkel, along with plenty of LED lighting. Another trick feature is in the bed, with diamond plate that hides several storage compartments leave the main cargo area unaffected. While the Mountaiq is a concept, expect it to influence Skoda's future offerings.

Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato Off-Road Concept

Before all-wheel-drive took over WRC rally racing, mid-engine rear-wheel-drive Italian cars like the Lancia Stratos and 037, the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the title, dominated. With cars like Safari 911s growing in popularity, Lamborghini has created an off-road Huracán concept called the Huracán Sterrato, using the same V10 and all-wheel-drive system as its street-going cousin Huracán Evo cousin. Changes to the ECU give more power lower in the RPM range, and the track has been widened over an inch, with almost two inches more ride height. Aluminum skid plates and side skirts combined with Kevlar body panels protect critical drivetrain components, and an LED lightbar and pods keep the road lit after dark. Lamborghini has already done the work, and seeing the Huracán Sterrato mixing it up in the WRC would be a beautiful thing.

Garage Italia Icon-e Fiat 500 Concept

A new trend is has been gaining traction in the world of classic cars. Retrofitting electric drivetrains has become increasingly popular, with custom shops like Icon and even manufacturers like Jaguar offering reversible conversions of their classic models. Milan's Garage Italia is starting their own line of electrified classics with the Icon-e Fiat 500 concept. More than just a drivetrain swap, Garage Italia has radically changed Fiat's famous city car into a beach-going ride that captures summer on four wheels. The top and doors have been removed and the interior replaced with wicker basketweave seats. Ropes replace the doors and a safety cell helps maintain the structural integrity of the car. Details like a custom digital dash and charging port hidden under the front Fiat emblem let you know this isn't you're typical 500. This 500 is Garage Italia's first entry in the electric Icon-e line, with more to follow.

BMW Garmisch Concept

Few auto designers have been as influential as Marcello Gandini. With cars like the Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Lancia Stratos, and the original BMW 5-series, Gandini has penned some of the most iconic designs in the history of the automobile. In 1970, BMW unveiled the Gandini-designed Garmisch at the Geneva Auto Show — and the car vanished shortly after. Lost for nearly 50 years, BMW is re-releasing the Garmisch concept in collaboration with Gandini that captures every detail of the original. The concept aimed to create a modern take on BMW's traditional design language, with clean, sleek lines and striking updates to familiar BMW styling cues. An angular twin-kidney grille sits between square headlights, with the Hofmeister kink receiving a similar touch, along with louvers at the C-pillar and a honeycomb rear window cover. The recreation Garmisch was handbuilt in Turin, Italy, just like the original, and fills an important gap in BMW's history.

2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Tray Bed Concept Truck

Fresh off their collaboration with Chevrolet on the Colorado ZR2 Bison, American Expeditionary Vehicles is releasing another Bison, this time with their own heavy-duty tray bed for carrying more cargo and increased flexibility. Along with the bed, AEV also outfitted the Bison with a host of GM Performance parts, including sturdier upper control arms and a steel driveshaft. A snorkel, LED light bar, and winch reinforce what the Bison is all about, and fender flares cover 35-inch all-terrain tires. AEV built the truck for the Overland Expo West, and to prove it wasn't a trailer queen, put it through its paces for three days in the Altar Desert. Unsurprisingly, it passed with flying colors. Although production-ready, AEV didn't have any info on specs or availability but expect that to change with enough interest.

Honda Ridgeline & Passport Overland Concepts

Honda's Ridgeline truck and Passport SUV are already capable away from the pavement, but these Adventure Lifestyle concepts bolster their off-road chops considerably. Outfitted by Jsport Performance Accessories, the Passport sees an increased ride height of 1.5 inches in the front and 0.75 in the rear, along with knobby Nitto RidgeGrappler tires mounted on 18-inch wheels. The Ridgeline also gets off-road wheels and tires, as well as a leveling kit. Both concepts get new skid plates and Plateau modular roof racks; the Passport's holds a rooftop tent while the Ridgeline's is home to a Honda generator. Both vehicles are on display at the 2019 Overland Expo West.

Tesla Roamer Motorhome

Travis Rabenberg is a bit of a motorhome enthusiast. Host of Twitch TV's Travis Travels, he's journeyed with two custom creations, a converted ambulance and a full-size Ford Van. Travis' latest project is a Telsa Model S 70D outfitted with a camper that packs a bed, sink, toilet, and poptop with a 300-watt solar panel. Travis wants to break the Guinness World Land Speed Record for electric motorhomes and expects to get 150 MPH and 200 miles of range out of the creation. The true real-world test comes when the modified Tesla goes from England to Dubai to open the 2020 World Expo.

Tesla Pickup Truck Concept

Tesla is gearing up to introduce its pickup later this year. The company has teased concepts before, but designer Emre Husmen has a vision that we can only hope is exactly what the truck looks like when it's revealed to the public. Taking Tesla's familiar design language, Husmen has applied it to a shape that is both sleek and powerful. Unmistakeably identifiable as both a Tesla and a truck, the crew cab body has a suitably stocky front and pronounced fenders that flow into a sweeping windshield and roofline. The front and rear fenders taper into a pinched waist that accentuates the stance while keeping the design clean and visually taunt without adding unnecessary bulk. The official reveal is months away, but Emre Husmen gives us something to look forward to while we wait.

Photos: Emre Husmen

Volkswagen ID Roomzz SUV

VW's debuted the next entry in its all-electric ID family in Shanghai, China. The ID Roomzz SUV will launch first in China in 2021 and has a suite of forward-thinking features that point towards the future of transportation. Built on the VW's connected, modular EV platform, the ID Roomzz will be capable of Level 4 fully-autonomous driving, with features like seats that swivel inward to give a more intimate passenger experience while traveling. 300 horsepower is available from an electric motor at each axle and range is estimated at 280 miles. VW's aggressive commitment to EVs now includes four models and points toward the future of the car.

Jeep Wayout Concept Truck

The Gladiator landed in dealerships April 4th, 2019, and Jeep is wasting no time giving owners an idea of what can be done to the four-door, open-air pickup. Highlighting the Gladiator's offroad capability and towing capacity, the Wayout concept uses both to create a camper that can take you nearly anywhere. A two-inch lift and military-style 17-inch steel wheels shod with 37-inch all-terrain tires make sure you can get as far afield as you want. The bed carries a custom rack with built-in ladder, rooftop tent for two, and an awning with amber LED lighting for when you're finished traveling for the day. Two additional fuel tanks are installed in the bed, and an onboard air system, 12,000-pound Warn winch, and snorkel make the Wayout as self-sufficient as possible.

Mercedes-Benz Concept GLB SUV

Meant to slot in between the GLA and GLC, the Mercedes-Benz Concept GLB is surprisingly roomy for a compact SUV. Its 111-inch wheelbase allows it to pack seven seats inside, with muscular proportions that signal its off-road chops. Powered by a 224-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it has permanent 4Matic all-wheel drive, auxiliary LED lighting, and prominent underguards. Inside, it's as luxurious as you'd expect, with a widescreen digital cockpit, milled aluminum trim, and a mix of Nappa and Nubuck leather. No word on when or if the GLB will ever make its way into production.

Jeep M-715 Five-Quarter Concept

Unlike the Scrambler concept Jeep brought to the 53rd annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, the wild M-715 Five-Quarter concept isn't something you could build yourself with off-the-shelf components. Jeep used a 1968 M-715 military-spec Gladiator pickup with one-and-one-quarter ton chassis — hence the "five-quarter" designation — and turned it into a modern offroad beast. The original frame has been strengthened and the rear leaf springs replaced with a link and coilover live axle, with the front axle moved forward two inches. The front sheet metal was replaced with carbon fiber, and a 700 horsepower, 6.2-liter supercharged "Hellcrate" engine replaces the original unit. The Five-Quarter concept takes the best of Jeep's past and combines it with the present in one amazing offroad package.

Jeep JT Scrambler Concept

Spring means the Jeep Easter Safari in Moab, and this year, Jeep is showcasing the JT Scrambler concept. The original Scrambler debuted in 1981, based on the long wheelbase CJ-8 platform. The lengthened chassis had a cargo box, removable hardtop, special wheels, and graphics package. The new Scrambler is a Gladiator with throwback stripes and plenty of off-the-shelf accessories — meaning you could easily make your own. The two stripes are in Mopar's fantastically named Punk'N Metallic Orange and Nacho along with "Scrambler" on each side of the hood. Jeep Performance 17-inch wheels in bronze, a two-inch rollbar, and LED lighting complete the exterior, while the motor gets a cold air intake and cat-back exhaust. Inside, brown leather seats are stitched in orange thread. Now all we need is a full-size Jeep truck with the Honcho package.

Porsche 911 Turbo Prototype

The 993 is considered to be the pinnacle of Porsche's vaunted 911 — the last of the air-cooled flat-six, lightweight, and with many of the problems of past 911s sorted out. If there was an ultimate version of the 993 to own, this might be it — a prototype 993 Turbo. Porsche had the bad habit of completely destroying prototypes once they had served their purpose, but miraculously, this one survived. Pulled from the assembly line, the car was sent to Porsche's development department and fitted with its then top-secret engine and transmission. After testing was finished, the engine and gearbox were removed before the car was sold to its current owner After the official introduction of the 911 Turbo to the public, the engine was returned to the owner. Finished in black over a red interior, the car's fascinating history makes it a valuable piece of Porsche history.

2020 Lister Knobbly Race Car

A resurgent Lister has been in the business of modifying Jaguar F-Types and F-Paces for the last few years, but they're beginning to turn their sights on bigger projects. Lister built their reputation on the Jaguar-powered Knobbly race car of the 1950s, and now they're teasing a new one with modern design and running gear. Lister has produced a limited number of original Knobbly race cars spec'd for vintage racing events, but the new Knobbly is a thoroughly modern animal. Currently in the design phase, Lister looks to be interested in developing and building the new Knobbly if there is demand for it — and we hope there is.