2005 Detroit Show Wrap-up Part II: Concept Cars

January 19, 2005 - Detroit - Carmakers are certainly pushing the limit of the definition of "concept".

Some of the so called "concepts" introduced at this year’s Detroit show, like the Saturn Aura, Audi Allroad, or Mazda MX Crossport, are really just thinly disguised production vehicles that are well on the road to being launched as a production car. Strip off some of the gratuitous fake chrome, narrow the exaggerated fenders, and reduce the wheel diameters by a few inches, et voila! Guaranteed something eerily similar will magically appear in a showroom near you.

One of the reasons for this recent trend is that most manufacturer lineups are now fairly complete. Five or six years ago every vehicle segment had not been "busted" yet. Today, the public’s pulse on niche products has been thoroughly taken. Although I’m still waiting for a seven- seat, all-wheel-drive convertible with a built-in snow plow, but that’s just me.

Here were my top six concepts from the show floor at year’s 2005 Detroit extravaganza:



Chrysler Firepower
It was no coincidence at the AutoWeek awards ceremony on the Wednesday after the press days that the Firepower was announced as an "American Aston Martin". Despite points off for plagiarism and a front end busier than Manhattan traffic, we still think Chrysler should build this car. It’s tidier than the Viper whose platform it sits on and the enlarged HEMI V-8 has Corvette-fighting numbers. Chrysler has shelved the ME Four-Twelve supercar it showed at last year’s show, and with Crossfire sales falling off a cliff we think this would make a nice replacement for both
Chance of production: 50/50
Best piece of PR fluff: "The Firepower pushes beyond the "sports car" realm by blending expressive detail and engineering."



Ford Shelby GR-1
Originally unveiled last summer at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance the GR-1 (stands for "Group Racer-1", get it?) is Ford’s second attempt at resurrecting the legendary Cobra. The first go was last year’s Ford Shelby Cobra roadster, but its bedpan styling was coolly received. This time, Ford looked back to the Pete Brock designed Cobra Daytona coupes for inspiration. Using the new GT chassis and V-10 engine again, the GR-1 certainly has the credentials to take on the ‘Vette, Viper or the above Firepower
Chance of production: If Ford still has the will once the last GT is sold, this could happen
Best piece of PR fluff: "Sinewy, athletic and dramatic describe the GR-1’s "performance art" inspiration."



Lexus LF-A
Car zealots have been seeing spy shots of a Toyota supercar for over a year now doing hot laps at the Nürburgring, but this is the real thing. Devoid of typical supercar technical overkill, the LF-A’s proportions are deceptive in photos. The Lexus concept is shorter than a Porsche 911 Turbo, but as tall as a Ferrari F430. Without specifics, Toyota is claiming an engine with less than five litres of displacement churning out 500 horsepower. Don’t expect pushrods. LF-A is another concept in support of Toyota’s goal of establishing the Lexus brand globally and independent of somnambulantly styled Toyotas. At the same time, this car provides some kind of tie-in to the wads of yen that are being thrown at the Formula One racing team
Chance of production: Better if Ralph can get a few podiums
Best piece of PR fluff: "The LF-A is theoretically developed to run a parallel course to our company’s efforts in Formula One racing".



Lexus FT-SX
Think of this as Lexus’s BMW X3 fighter. With the new GS Series launched, the IS series is next in line for a major redo. Toyota has stated that this time around it wants to match the BMW 3 Series in model choices to get the volumes up. Like the LF-C concept, also seen on Lexus’s Detroit booth, this is yet another taste of what to expect of the next IS series. The current IS300 Sportcross is a bit confining for big-boned North Americans, but this enlarged sportwagon would make a nice replacement
Chance of production: Feel free to leave a deposit at your Lexus dealer today
Best piece of PR fluff: "The FT-SX concept was developed to explore a totally new genre to help create a bolder, more decisive image for Toyota".



Nissan Azeal
With mini-350Z looks and a 2.5-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing and turbocharging hooked up to a six-speed manual transmission, and 2+2 seating with a glass panel roof, the Azeal is out to kick some serious Scion SC Coupe ass. With Nissan delaying the launch of the next Sentra until the second half of 2006 because of poor responses to the new car’s proposed styling, the Azeal can’t come soon enough for Nissan dealers
Chance of production: Nissan can’t afford not to
Best piece of PR fluff: "The AZEAL is a fresh interpretation of the classic compact sports coupe - an affordable, performance-oriented entry-level coupe with the style and personality to match the lifestyles of its young, active target buyers".



Volkswagen Ragster
I’ve always found the New Beetle cabrio perversely appealing. Must be the pseudo-Porsche 356 looks. But if you think VW is planning on producing this chop-top Bug concept, then you’ve been hanging out in the back of your buddy’s Lovebus for too long. Nonetheless, those 19-inch tires with the Hot Wheels pinstriping are kinda cool, aren’t they? What the concept does giveaway are clues to the New Beetle's upcoming facelift from the window-line down. New sheet metal around the fenders and front bumper puts a cease in the shorts of the existing car’s bulbous lines.
Chance of production: Everything but the aircraft carrier roof
Best piece of PR fluff: "Ragtop + Speedster = Ragster".