Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion

While the technology still isn’t road ready, car companies and many industry analysts are convinced that self-driving cars will soon be available to the public.

Taking one of the first guesses at what those future cars will be like is the preposterously-named Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion concept, which debuted at CES earlier this year.

Mercedes seems to think the autonomous car of tomorrow will look like a hot dog wrapped in aluminum, the better to maximize interior space and flexibility.

With manual driving no longer necessary, Mercedes believes owners will use their cars as mobile lounges. In self-driving mode, the steering wheel retracts and the two front seats can rotate 180 degrees to face the two rear seats.

Read More

Lincoln Continental

These days, Lincoln isn’t much more than a collection of rebadged Fords, but the Continental concept shows a way back to its past status as a real luxury carmaker.

Unveiled at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the Continental is a flagship sedan that would help restore Lincoln’s reputation if built. If you ever forget it’s a Lincoln, just look at the headlights and grille, which feature tiny repetitions of the brand’s logo.

On the inside, the Continental is just as luxurious as its classic predecessors. Standout features include 30-way adjustable seats, and a fully-reclining rear passenger seat that seems aimed at the Chinese market, where many buyers prefer to be driven rather than drive.

In a nod to efficiency, the Continental is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. It’s part of Ford’s ubiquitous EcoBoost family.

Read More

Lamborghini Asterion LPI 910-4

When it was unveiled at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini called its Asterion plug-in hybrid a “hyper cruiser.” That’s just about the perfect way to describe it.

The Asterion combines a 5.2-liter V10 engine with three electric motors, for a total of 910 hp. That’s enough to launch it from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, and on to a top speed of 198 mph.

That’s pretty astonishing, especially considering that Lamborghini didn’t even want to build this car in the first place.

Lambo is resolutely anti-hybrid, but acknowledges that it may need to build one eventually to meet stricter global emissions standards. The Asterion shows that the company will be ready when that day comes.

Read More

Hyundai Santa Cruz

A Hyundai pickup truck doesn’t sound very appealing right off the bat, but the Santa Cruz is a surprisingly cool concept.

The Santa Cruz isn’t a traditional pickup, but rather a cross between a pickup and a car. Hyundai sought to create the best of both worlds by offering truck-like utility and styling, with car-like comfort and fuel economy.

Unveiled at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the Santa Cruz features a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 190 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai’s HTRAC all-wheel drive system.

The Santa Cruz hasn’t been confirmed for production yet, but if it ever gets built, it will further blur the line between cars and trucks.

Read More

Honda Civic

This concept-car preview of the 10th-generation Civic was a surprise hit at the 2015 New York Auto Show. It represents Honda’s intent to imbue its bread-and-butter compact with a little more style and excitement.

The concept showcases a new design language that marks the first substantial styling change for the Civic since 2006. With a low stance, wraparound taillights, and plenty of aggressive scoops and spoilers, it checks all of the sport-compact style boxes.

That sporty styling is totally appropriate, because a version of the high-performance Civic Type R is finally slated to come to the U.S.

A production model based on this concept will debut later this year. Some styling details may change, although that crazy green paint is expected to remain as a production color option.

Read More