toyota hi-ct concept

toyota hi-ct concept

toyota hi-ct concept

Straight from the set of Blade Runner 3000 is Toyota's Hi-CT, a four passenger plug-in hybrid and looks like some futuristic semi trailer. This front engine, front wheel drive trucklet uses a 1.5-liter gas engine and electric motor that can be recharged overnight at home and freshened up while you park work. That thing on the back looks like some Toyota's version of a foldable Segway. No idea where they hide the miles of cord on these things.

toyota hi-ct concept

toyota hi-ct concept

suzuki concept kizashi 2

suzuki concept kizashi 2

suzuki concept kizashi 2

suzuki concept kizashi 2

 

suzuki concept kizashi 2

lexus lf-xh concept

exus lf-xh concept

lexus lf-xh concept

The LF-Xh uses the Lexus Hybrid Drive system -- a combination of a high-output electric motor and a V6 gasoline engine -- which will power all four wheels.
The LF-Xh's styling seems to be relatively similar to Lexus' current crop of SUVs, if not a bit more chiseled, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. It sounds as if the concept could signal what could be the first production ultra-luxury hybrid SUV. Imagine the Lexus LS 600h L in sport 'ute form.

lexus lf-xh concept

lexus lf-xh concept

bmw 1 series concept tii

bmw 1 series concept tii

bmw 1 series concept tii

We knew this wouldn't take long. The 1 Series coupe has been nicknamed "The new 2002tii" since the world got its first look at it a few months ago. So BMW has gone with the flow, and trotted out a sportified version of it at Tokyo. It must have been a last minute addition to the company's Tokyo plan, as there is neither a word nor a photo about it in BMW's show press kit. But the formula is so obvious, so right, that it needs little explanation. As the fuel-injected tii was the sporty version of the 1968-1976 2002 model, so is the tii the sportiest interpretation (so far...) of the new new 1 Series. It wears aggressive body armor, including a naturally finished carbon fiber hood. The ride height is low, the rolling stock all business, and the interior boasts aggressive sport seats. There was no talk of powertrain or performace, as this is at this point just a design study. But the twin-turbo, 305 horse 135i Coupe is a serious enough place to start. Give it the M treatment, and a 350-375 horsepower, lightweight kick boxer shouldn't be hard to make happen. Using the tii badge would be a breakaway from the usual M moniker, but a smart one in this case. BMW global design director Adrian van Hooydonk offered an interesting comment. "Think of the 1 Series like the Star Wars trilogy. In order to understand everything about the first movie, you have to see the third one. When you think of the 1 Series, consider this tii concept as the third movie." We hope this one arrives in theaters, er, dealers, someday soon. - Matt Stone

bmw 1 series concept tii

bmw 1 series concept tii

2008 bmw m3 sedan

2008 bmw m3 sedan

2008 bmw m3 sedan

Surprising few but delighting many, BMW pulled the silk off of the next model in the M3 lineup. The M3 coupe hasn't even hit US ports yet, and we now know that a four-door sedan variant will follow. From a specifications standpoint, it will be identical to the coupe, including that car's 414 horsepower, high-winding V-8 engine and Sequential Manual gearbox. The coupe's front and rear fascias are grafted on to the current 3 Series sedan's body panels; all other suspension, brake, exhaust, wheel/tire, and interior components carry over as well. About the only trick bit that won't make the crossing from coupe to sedan is the carbon fiber roof panel; perhaps BMW figures that if you need a sedan, you'll be carrying more people with you anyway, so the few pounds saved by the high tech, high cost roof panel won't matter. BMW never gave us a four-door version of the previous generation M3, but has recognized there's sales volume and happy customers to be had here, so why not? Pricing announcements are pending, and as is the car's on-sale date, but expect it to show up this spring. Can a hardtop/convertible M3 be far behind? Our answer would be no. - Matt Stone

2008 bmw m3 sedan

2008 bmw m3 sedan