Future Cars, Concept Cars, & Future Vehicle Photos

Sunday, 17 July 2011

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

The Camaro ZL1 is a complete high performance car, not just a Camaro with more power," claims General Motors in a recent press release. The short but informative report also boldly names the one vehicle Chevrolet hopes to best in every conceivable way, whether on the street or the track: the Ford Shelby GT500. A close look at the preliminary spec sheet suggests that the Transformers-esque 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has exactly what it takes to refuel the classic Ford vs. Chevy grudge match.
First, we must explain the iconic moniker. Aficionados of early Trans-Am racing will note that the ZL1 badge was reserved for Chevrolet's top-tier -- and most powerful -- Camaro that battled Shelby's GT500 on America's back roads and back straights. Street-licensed ZL1s are some of the most sought after musclecars around as only 69 serialized 1969 model year cars were ever made.
To live up to the name, and to create the "highest-performing Camaro" available today, GM simply reached into its vast performance parts bin. Engineers first implanted a healthy 6.2-liter supercharged LSA V-8 engine into the bay. The small-block mill with bespoke heat-resistant aluminum heads pumps out 550 horses (at an estimated 6100 rpm) and 550 pound-feet of torque (at an estimated 3800 rpm) thanks in large part to a four-lobe intercooled Eaton supercharger and dual-mode exhaust. The exhaust system opens its baffles at higher rpms to give the ZL1 an even meaner tone when pushing hard. GM says a handful of other ZL1 specific bits were added to its powertrain, but would not spill all the details until final testing is completed over the remainder of 2011.
Tremec's high-torque capacity "MG9" TR-6060 six-speed manual gearbox routes all power to the lightweight 20-inch forged rear wheels wrapped in sticky Goodyear Supercar F2 rubber. The short-throw box comes replete with dual-mass flywheel and twin-disc clutch (the setup is similar to that of the Corvette ZR1).
Next came the sculpting of the Camaro's chiseled body. Designers penned a functional aerodynamic physique that is a substantial upgrade over a simple body kit. The menacing front clip with its wide lower intake and prominent splitter is flanked by a set of vertical inlets housing fog lights. A carbon fiber insert serves to lighten the louvered aluminum hood further. Sculpted rocker panels direct fleeting air more efficiently passed the rear end (which also sports a reworked diffuser). The entire ensemble is said to increase downforce and lower drag.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

Lexus has been attempting to build excitement in its brand lately by reaching out to a younger, more performance-oriented market. The latest efforts have also revolved around its line of hybrid luxury vehicles. We all know if there is one thing that's gets the kids; it's luxury cars and hybrids.
The star of Lexus's Chicago 2011 tuner section is a CT200h hybrid tuned by 5 Axis, a car modifier known for building extensively modified show cars. The small hatchback wears a custom designed widebody kit, 19-inch wheels and a custom interior. The cars adjustable coilover suspension is by Japanese Manufacturer Tein, which not only improves handling but also allows for the lower stance.
No actual information was available at the Lexus booth during the show. When asked, the lead spokesmodel suggested the best source of technical information on the car would be a Google search. Apparently Lexus is sticking firmly to its new corporate motto of "The Hard Way."

Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

2011 Toyota Matrix

Toyota is giving its 2011 Toyota Matrix five-door hatchback a blink-and-you'll-miss-it refresh. Look closely and you'll see new wheel designs and mild changes to the interior of the Matrix, which is set to hit the stage at the 2011 Chicago show.
The 2011 Matrix retains the same 132-horsepower 1.8-liter and 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines as before. All-wheel drive remains an option with the 2.4-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. Other trims are available with either a five-speed automatic or manual transmission.
The only fuel economy change is with the smaller engine and a four-speed automatic: the highway rating improves one mpg to 32. The 16-inch steel wheels have newly designed covers and there are new 17-inch five-spoke wheels on the Matrix S. The only other exterior change is a color addition: Spruce Mica.
Toyota appears to have paid the most attention to the 2011 Matrix's interior. A number of trim changes were made in an effort to freshen the cabin. There are new seating fabrics, the audio unit has a new flush surface this year and there's a newly designed leather-trimmed steering wheel. A Smart Stop Technology brake-override system is also standard.
The base model Matrix will retail for $19,305, an increase of $1845 over the outgoing model. The 2011 Matrix will reach dealerships in the spring.

2011 Toyota Matrix

Toyota Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater

| Toyota Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater
Turning your pickup truck into the ultimate tailgate vehicle isn’t exactly a new idea, especially for SEMA. But this one is a little different. Inspired by the 20-year career of the legendary country singing and song-writing duo Brooks & Dunn, this vehicle is full of cooking and entertainment solutions. Riding on a CrewMax chassis, the Tundra sports a 3-inch suspension lift and 35-inch Mickey Thompson off road tires on 20-inch rims.
Inside the cab, custom black leather is molded to the seats and center console, with a saddle horn swapped in for a gearshift knob. Outside, elaborately engraved silver wraps around each of the door handles, with two bronze Big Horn cattle skulls rest on the grille and tailgate of the truck. But it’s the bed that holds all the magic. In fact, hiding underneath a hydraulically actuated side-mounted tonneau cover is a 42-inch flat-screen TV, a pull-out “Grill ‘n’ Chill” BBQ setup that houses a large countertop, a beer tap, an ice chest and freezer, as well as two cooktop burners.
Of course, to play all that country music there is a monster Kicker sound system imbedded into the slideout and bed walls. We stopped counting speakers once we got into double digits. Expect this vehicle to make the rounds at various concerts and auto shows, all the while drawing large crowds, especially if they decide to heat up that huge pot of chili sitting on the back burner.

Toyota Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater

Toyota Tundra Hot Rod

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Toyota Tundra Hot Rod
Sitting quietly in a booth surrounded by other more glamorous and outrageously styled vehicles is the Toyota Tundra Hot Rod. Sure, making a hot rod at SEMA is no big deal, but when Toyota decides to do something like this it may need some special consideration. Not a lot of fanfare or glitz here, but good looking nonetheless. The truck is a standard regular cab 4x2 shortbed Tundra with a stock 5.7-liter V-8, six-speed automatic, and factory limited-slip. Maybe not such a bad idea given this particular setup is probably one of the lightest and fastest half-ton pickup trucks around.
Working with Sucker Punch Sally’s out of Phoenix, Arizona, the first step was to get the paint scheme settled. Candy Red flames seemed a natural choice with the Hot Rod theme, burning back into a matte black base coat. Hungry 305/60R18 Toyo Proxes blackwall tires use Bonneville Moon hubcaps to accent the visual look of the truck, while a custom Cherry Bomb exhaust gives the truck a unique sound. Inside, there’s a low-back bench with a custom matching headliner and dash pad to match. Likewise, four large brass dials look like they’ve come off a giant guitar amplifier. But as nice as all this detail is, the real work is in the bed.
The custom curly flamed Maple and aluminum accents are similar to the types of materials choices Fender makes when designing a new guitar. And, of course, topping off the bed are two plug-in ready amplifiers ready to play some old-time rock and roll. Too much? Maybe, but this is Las Vegas after all, and the Hard Rock hotel is just down the street.

Toyota Tundra Hot Rod

Toyota Camry Nascar Edition

| RK Collection Toyota Camry Nascar Edition Rendering
Fans of the sport will no-doubt point out that the Toyota Camry is already running in Nascar, negating the need for this Nascar Special Edition from the RK Collection. Thing is, this one isn't a "Car of Tomorrow," it's street legal.
Apparently, despite the existence of the actual Nascar competitor, Toyota Racing Development needed help "visualizing the virtues of a standard Camry and morphing them into a powerful NASCAR counterpart." That's where the RK Collection came in with their custom two-door Camry.
Don't be fooled by its street-worthiness, this car's the real deal. Under the hood lurks a 680-horsepower, 5.9-liter V-8 driving the rear wheels through a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed manual. It breathes in through a pair of K&N open element cone filters and out through a three-inch custom exhaust that exits just ahead of the rear wheels, assuming you're not using the cutouts ahead of the mufflers. Handling is the purview of modified Camry MacPherson struts up front and a modified Venza multi-link suspension in the rear, making this a true frankencar.
RK Collection Toyota Camry Nascar Edition Engine
Racy as it may be under the skin, this car is no track day special. In the cabin, the pilot is treated to leather seats, a suede headliner, custom SPEK gauges, a billet shifter and even air conditioning. A four-point roll cage keeps everything safe when the rubber leaves the road and a 450-watt stereo from Pioneer and Boston Acoustics handles the tunes.
Following its SEMA debut, watch for the RK Collection Camry at the Nascar race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 12 and stay tuned for Motor Trend's live coverage of the 2010 SEMA show on November 2 and 3.

Toyota Camry Nascar Edition

Suzuki Kizashi Concepts

2010 Subaru WRX STI by SPT
Subaru stresses that this SEMA entry is all about useful and somewhat affordable upgrades, "so, you won't find half a dozen 10-inch LCDs scattered around the interior," the automaker says. Fair enough. This WRX STI, pictured above, keeps its 2.5L turbo boxer four-cylinder but adds an SPT exhaust system, bumping horsepower to 315 from the stock 305. A turbo heat shield, billet oil cap v2.0, and billet battery hold down v2.0 are included in the package, as are exhaust finishers and a front lip spoiler. Those wheels are 19-in. Prodrive GT2s finished in what Subaru calls Glitter Gold. The suspension isn't neglected on this show car, either: there's STI performance springs, an SPT strut tower brace, and an SPT lower chassis brace. A boost gauge, HomeLink transmitter and other changes improve the interior. Everything on this car (except maybe the paint job) is available from the SPT catalog.
2010 Subaru Legacy 25GT VIP Interior View
2010 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT VIP
The diamond stitch seats pictured here are great, but we look forward to seeing the exterior of the Subaru Legacy 2.5GT VIP which, we imagine, has the potential to work really well or fall short -- just like the out-of-place Toyota Camry Lowrider from SEMA 2007. VIP rides, by the way, are usually rear-wheel drive luxury cars low to the ground, with large wheels. Also at SEMA 2007, Toyota had better results converting a Camry into a VIP special, complete with rear-sliding doors. The Subaru Legacy VIP may not get rear-sliding doors, but it will have an air suspension and 20-in. wheels. The 265-hp Legacy gets JDM parts to distinguish it from ordinary Legacies: hood bumper faces, a sport grille, front and rear under spoilers, HID headlights and fog lights, and power folding mirrors with turn signal indicators.
Lastly, the aforementioned 950-lb 1969 micro van. Sure, the 2-cylinder engine gets 66 mpg, but Subaru cautions you'd need extreme patience to drive the small van for 66 miles.

Suzuki Kizashi Concepts