Future Cars, Concept Cars, & Future Vehicle Photos - Motor Trend: 09/01/2011

Hyundai i40 Wagon

If you were expecting the Hyundai i40 wagon to simply look like a Sonata with a pair of D-pillars and a rear hatch, then it may surprise you. Although it still rides upon the same platform as the North American Sonata, the midsize wagon receives all-new sheet metal from head to toe. Firmly rooted in the company's fluidic design language, the i40 wears a front fascia evocative of the smaller Elantra, complete with a split grille and long tapered headlamps. In back, the i40 has a Toyota-ish look, thanks to concave D-pillar forms and large, rhombus-like taillamps.
Hyundai has only released one photo of the interior, and it, like the exterior of the car is a complete redesign of the Sonata's layout. The centrally mounted navigation screen remains, but the controls for both the navigation and HVAC have been redesigned. Hyundai also promises substantial amenities such as available leatherette door panel inserts and leather seating, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. Buyers may appreciate these touches, but most will likely flock to the i40 for the additional interior space. The wagon form provides 19.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up (3.1 cubic feet more than a Sonata's trunk), and nearly 61 cubic feet once the second row is folded.
As the wagon was developed expressly for the European market, it isn't surprising that the i40 is offered with a number of diesel offerings. At launch, the i40 will be offered with a 1.7-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder in both 113- and 134-horsepower forms. Those desiring a gasoline option will reportedly be able to spring for a 2.0-liter I-4 in the near future. Transmission choices haven't been announced, but will likely be the same six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes used in the U.S.-spec Sonata.
At this point, it's unclear if the i40 has a future in North America. Hyundai has indicated the next i30 will be imported here as the Elantra Touring, but refuses to comment on the possibility of the i40 ever rolling into U.S. showrooms.

Hyundai i40 Wagon

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Ladies and gentleman, meet the new sort of compact luxury, one that is meant specifically for younger buyers looking for something very different, efficient, modern, and athletic. Such is the definition given by Infiniti product planners, and the brand’s all-new Etherea concept fits this bill to the T.
“Etherea is about a new type of luxury,” said Toru Saito, Infiniti’s global business unit leader, in a prepared statement. “It is for younger buyers who do not want a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car. It is for people who want a car that defines who they are, not who their parents were.”
These younger buyers are quite conflicted, it seems. For instance, the Etherea is not one type of vehicle; rather, it is a melding of bits from just about everything. It has a sedan’s space, a coupe’s styling, a hatchback’s utility, and a crossover’s height.
Without a B-pillar, the four-seat platform feels more spacious, designers say. Rear-hinged “suicide doors” aid in the feeling as well. The kinked C-pillar is heavily influenced by the Essence concept.
Up front, designers included distinct slanted headlights that incorporate LED daytime running lights. Designers are quick to point out that the headlight’s design will be a mainstay on future Infiniti models. There is also the traditional high hood line and deep grille that now illuminates. The A-pillar has a window that eases forward visibility and adds a touch of uniqueness.
Unlike some sports cars that focus front passenger controls towards the driver, the Etherea shares luxury and sport with all inside. Twin touch screens display car information, climate control, and stereo functions. A flat floor improves occupant comfort. Designers included a number of new interior finishes like kimono-inspired seat piping (called Kumihimo in Japanese), vertical strips on doors (Inuyarai), and a parchment paper-like material (Washi).
A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain based on the system used in the M35h sedan powers the concept. Instead of a VQ-series V-6, however, a 242-horsepower supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder gives the Etherea most of its grunt, while a quick response electric motor provides extra power during acceleration and city driving. Everything is directed to the front wheels – a first time for the brand – via a continuously variable transmission.
Underpinning the new chassis is an independent suspension with electric/hydraulic steering and regenerative braking (much like in the M35h). Officials haven’t indicated if they will share most of the model’s components with parent conglomerate Renault-Nissan and new partner Mercedes-Benz, but we wouldn’t be surprised if other offspring arrive soon.

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti Etherea Concept

Infiniti Etherea Concept

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Infiniti Etherea Concept

Land Rover Range_e Concept

While the Land Rover Range_e development vehicle being displayed at the 2011 Geneva auto show isn't quite ready for prime time, the vehicle is serving a vital role as a test bed for a potential future Land Rover plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The test vehicle -- based off a Range Rover Sport -- is fitted with Land Rover's latest 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 and an electric motor, which is hooked up with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Precise specifications are still under wraps, but the company does say the Range_e has an EV-only range of 20 miles. When combined with the diesel engine, the vehicle can travel an impressive 691 miles before replenishing both the fuel tank and battery pack.
The Range_e heading to Geneva is one of several working prototypes used by the company for PHEV development. Land Rover hasn't officially confirmed a version for production, but we wouldn't be surprised if a similar system eventually works its way into future Land Rover and Range Rover models

Land Rover Range_e Concept

Land Rover Range_e Concept

Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package

After months of testing spy shots, teaser images, and a full-blown official Web release, we finally bring you live shots of the limited run Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package. And, oh yeah, it is coming to the US.
According to Lexus, no fewer than 15 units will arrive on American shores. Considering there will only be 50 units available in the world (out of 500 total LFAs), that’s a significant chunk headed to US dealers. Production of the Nurburgring package LFAs begins in 2012.
The edition is aimed at very well heeled buyers wanting an aggressive factory tuned and warranted, track-capable LFA. Or if said buyer just has enough dough and doesn’t really care for track prowess, it’s the edition that looks cooler, is ultra-rare, and is guaranteed to make your equally wealthy neighbor extremely jealous.
Slapping a Nurburgring label onto the LFA means that it gets a number of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) parts, including revised front splitter and canards, sculpted side sills, and a fixed rear wing. Ride height drops by 0.4-inches for a better center of gravity. Mesh forged magnesium BBS wheels wrapped in stickier Bridgestone rubber provide a Gorilla Glue grip on tarmac.
To compensate for the newfound downforce (which bumps up drag and cuts speed), engineers squeezed 10 more horses from the Formula 1-derived 4.8-liter V-10 engine. All 562 horsepower is routed through a six-speed auto-clutch manual transmission that now blips off shifts in 0.15-seconds.
Like the car itself, exterior paint options are quite limited; only matte black, black, white, and orange can be had, while inside, buyers can choose between black/red, black/purple, or black/black themes. Unfortunately for Yankee buyers, only European and Japanese-spec rides will get a carbon fiber center console, door panels, and a pair of Recaro buckets wrapped in plush Alcantara.