As yet another year draws to a close, we here are WCF look forward to a few well earned days rest. But before we do that, there is still time to look back on the highlights of the last 12 months. First up we count down the 10 best concept vehicles.
Saab introduced the superbly styled 9-1X Biohybrid Concept in Geneva earlier this year, but this model was little more than a clay model which appeared to be rushed. Therefore the Swedish automaker had a second go, and revealed the open top 9-X Air Concept at the Paris Motor Show in October. It featured a biofuel hybrid engine and previews the next generation Saab 9-3 convertible.
In the final month of the year, Daimler released the first details and images of the BlueZero Concept before giving it a sneak peak unveiling in a press conference with Evonik Industries. It is due to be officially unveiled in Detroit in January and previews the next generation B Class - a car that many believed would be heading for the rubbish pile after poor sales. It seems Daimler are ready to keep it going though.
BMW are expanding the lineup of their X series with the introduction of the X1 and earlier this year the Bavarian automaker gave the public a view at the model's evntual styling with this pre-production concept. Despite it being in concept form, styling modifications will likely be minimal come production time.
7. Honda FC Sport Design Concept
The Los Angeles Auto Show was looking a quiet event in the area of concept cars until Honda came up with the surprise unveiling of the FC Sport Design Concept. Powered by existing fuel cell technology, the FC Sport is a three-seater sports car with a low centre of gravity, zero emissions and a potent, clean electric motor.
6. Peugeot RC HYmotion4 Concept
As always, Peugeot took their home motor show in Paris by storm with a series of world debuts of production vehicles, well suppoorted by a bunch of concepts. These concepts were created to showcase PSA Peugeot-Citroen's new all-wheel-drive diesel-electric hybrid powertrain called HYmotion4. There was however one concept that stood out, the RC HYmotion4 Concept boasted a style that screamed out to the automotive enthusaist crowd and with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.4 seconds, it had a performance to match.
Alongside the eagerly anticipated Volkswagen Golf MkVI, the German automaker unveiled the GTI concept. It is powered by the Scirocco's 207hp 2.0-litre four cylinder TSI engine enabling the GTI to go from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds.
4. Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION
Mercedes preparation for the next generation E Class is well underway and to give the public a pre-production glimpse at the W212 series, Daimler released the ConceptFASCINATION at the Paris Motor Show. The concept takes a shooting brake body style, which is about the only style that the new E class style won't be offered in. Mercedes previewed a new 2.2-liter four-cylinder Bluetec diesel engine in the engine bay, a production version will make its way to the E-Class range come 2010.
At the Paris Motor Show, Citroen revealed the awesome GTbyCITROEN Concept which is mainly intended for Sony's Gran Turismo 5 videogame for the Playstation 3. But what is likely to be little more than a PR stunt, Citroen created a full scale version. It has even been suggested that Citroen are planning to develop the model for a limited production run, but considering the precarious position of the automotive market, this seems unlikely any time soon.
If there is one model the world wants to see a successor to, it must be the legendary BMW M1. The Bavarian automaker took one step to making this a reality with the creation of the M1 Homage Concept. As the name suggest. the concept was created to pay homage to the orginal M1 and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
1. Lamborghini Estoque Concept
Porsche have done it, Aston Martin are doing it but what the hell are Lamborghini thinking in created a four door coupe? A question many asked when the Italian supercar maker presented the Estoque concept and a solid reason why this concept takes top position in our top 10 concepts of 2008.
Motor_Yakuza
December 23, 2008 7:16 PM
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