Toyota Driver Awareness Research Vehicle
Developed with the help of Microsoft Research, the DAR-V attempts to limit the distractions that drivers face during the commute by providing key information before the driver even gets behind the wheel. With a combination of Kinect-powered gesture control, voice command and key fob activation, a display built into the side window delivers information about traffic, weather, daily schedule and appointments, and navigation. By getting this information ahead of time, the driver will presumably be less distracted while actually driving.
Ford Edge Concept
The Ford Edge Concept was designed in part to showcase Ford's latest semi-autonomous capabilities. The prototype "fully assisted parking aid" and its ultrasonic sensors, which can be activated from inside the vehicle or by remote control, allow the Edge Concept to navigate into and out of a parking spot. The Edge Concept also has an obstacle-avoidance system that can sense still and slow-moving objects ahead, send warnings to the driver, and steer or brake if the driver fails to react in time.
Volkswagen CrossBlue Coupe
Volkswagen's latest information says that the dual motor + turbo V6-based plug-in hybrid driveline puts out 415 hp, returns up to 70 mpg-e, and travels up to 570 miles (917 km) with a full tank of gas and full battery. That economical performance is underpinned by 13 miles (21 km) of all-electric driving and complemented by a spirited 5.8-second 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h) time and 147-mph (237 km/h) top speed. There is some speculation that LA was a stop on the way toward CrossBlue production, and VW's description of it as a "glimpse at the future" adds a little support to that view.
Volkswagen Design Vision GTI
A rather radical GTI makeover, the Design Vision GTI was first revealed at the Wörthersee festival. The slices down its sides look a bit like the side blades on the Audi R8, but they're actually C-pillar extensions designed to extend the body work over widened tracks and 20-inch wheels. Under the hood, a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 TSI engine puts out 503 hp – more than double the stock GTI's 230 hp. That power is distributed to all four wheels, ensuring performance just south of "supercar" – 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and 186 mph (300 km/h) at the top end. The design is the essence of an exhilarating hot hatch.
Shelby Raptor
The Ford SVT Raptor is already one of the most rugged, off-road-ready pickup trucks in the world, and the Shelby treatment just warms it up further. With the help of a supercharger, Shelby adds more than 150 horses, dialing the Raptor right up to 575 hp. The US$18,000 package also includes a Shelby exhaust, custom interior, serial numbered badges and graphics package.
Subaru Legacy Concept
The concept car hints at what the Legacy would look like as a slick, four-door coupe. The lights, shapes and cuts of the front and rear fascias mirror each other, providing a symmetry that's physically connected by sharp character lines running down the flanks. The concept car is coated with Ocean Silver Metallic paint. It's not clear how much the Legacy Concept will influence the next production model, but we like what we see so far.
VIA Motors XTRUX
Truck is using two 402-hp electric motors for more than 800 hp worth of rippling muscle. Its V8 engine is tasked with range-extending duties, charging the battery pack after about 40 all-electric miles (64 km) or so. VIA estimates that this hybrid combination offers capabilities for 100-mpg averages and also gives drivers immediate access to 738 lb-ft of torque. For a truck that has that much size, power and tech going on, the Xtrux wears very simple, understated styling.
