Concept Cars of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show

2015 Detroit Auto Show concept cars

No major auto show would be complete without a good showing of concept cars sprinkled into the many high-impact press conferences. Concept cars give us peek into the future of brands - sometimes more than an peek. Demonstrating exciting new design languages, more advanced technologies, capabilities and smarter solutions, this year's batch of concept cars at the Detroit Auto Show give a glimpse of the future product improvement we can expect to see in the coming years. 

Unveiled in Detroit: Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

And now, for something completely different: Volkswagen has developed a seven-passenger gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid capable of delivering the equivalent of 70 mpg. The Cross Coupe GTE, which fuses the shape of a sedan and a sport-utility vehicle, features a 276-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine and dual electric motors, for a total of 355-hp combined. Volkswagen claims that the Cross Coupe GTE hybrid will be as capable on-road as it is off-road, and can run as a pure electric vehicle or a gas-electric hybrid. The production Cross Coupe GTE arrives after several iterations as a concept car, and will utilize Volkswagen’s modular MQB chassis.

• The Cross Coupe GTE is an entirely new model. A familiar engine, the aforementioned VR6, will be standard. The interior plays to Volkswagen’s no-nonsense strengths, with a stylish gauge cluster and information screens.
• Volkswagen plans to start production of the Cross Coupe GTE by late 2016 at its Chattanooga, Tenn., factory. It will compete against everything from the Volvo S60 Cross Country to the BMW X4 and X6.
• Pricing will be announced closer to the Cross Coupe GTE’s start of production in 2016.

Unveiled in Detroit: 2015 Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept

The 2015 Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept previews a production model that will feature a Tesla-esque all-electric driving range of more than 200 miles along with a more practical, Nissan LEAF-like MSRP and the space of a family-sized crossover. The vehicle also shows off a cutting-edge cabin theme that relies on minimal front and rear overhangs to create a wide-open environment for the driver and passengers alike, while other highlights of the 2015 Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept include: an advanced multi-mode drive system, the ability for owners to use a smartphone as a key fob, and what Chevy calls “park-and-retrieval” technology, which will enable owners to have the car drop them off and park itself, then un-park and return to pick them up.

• The 2015 Chevrolet Bolt EV Concept represents an all-new vehicle.
• 2017.
• Per GM: “around $30,000.”

Unveiled in Detroit: Infiniti Q60 Concept

Having replaced the G37 sedan with the technological tour de force that is the Q50, Infiniti’s next move is to inject style into its midsize luxury offerings. The two-door Q60 Concept is designed to give Infiniti passionate styling language to boot. This concept coupe has a low, wide stance, as well as a grille reminiscent of the one on the recent Q80 Inspiration concept car. We like the shapely surfacing and flowing lines, and want not for any hard, flat surfaces on its exterior. The interior is equally stunning, featuring diamond-pattern stitching on the leather interior and the full suite of InTuition technology that debuted in the Q50. Models like the Q60 Concept are part of the brand’s plan to reshape its identity by 2018.

• The Q60 Concept represents an evolution of Infiniti’s styling direction shown on the Q50 sedan, and is a leap ahead of the current Q60, née G37. This concept car features a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, as opposed to the Q50’s family of naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 engines. 
• Although this model is badged as a concept, Infiniti calls the Q60 Concept a “precursor to a high-performance sports coupe.” Production was not announced in Detroit, but the model looks pretty close to finished.
• Pricing information will likely come around the time when series production is announced.

Unveiled in Detroit: Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE

And now, for something completely different: Volkswagen has developed a seven-passenger gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid capable of delivering the equivalent of 70 mpg. The Cross Coupe GTE, which fuses the shape of a sedan and a sport-utility vehicle, features a 276-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 engine and dual electric motors, for a total of 355-hp combined. Volkswagen claims that the Cross Coupe GTE hybrid will be as capable on-road as it is off-road, and can run as a pure electric vehicle or a gas-electric hybrid. The production Cross Coupe GTE arrives after several iterations as a concept car, and will utilize Volkswagen’s modular MQB chassis.

• The Cross Coupe GTE is an entirely new model. A familiar engine, the aforementioned VR6, will be standard. The interior plays to Volkswagen’s no-nonsense strengths, with a stylish gauge cluster and information screens.
• Volkswagen plans to start production of the Cross Coupe GTE by late 2016 at its Chattanooga, Tenn., factory. It will compete against everything from the Volvo S60 Cross Country to the BMW X4 and X6.
• Pricing will be announced closer to the Cross Coupe GTE’s start of production in 2016.

Unveiled in Detroit: Ford GT Concept

It’s the supercar sequel we’ve all been waiting for – and Ford promises we’ll get it next year.  The Ford GT moves away from its retro styling roots to present a fully-modern design that is inspired by, rather than modeled after, the company’s racing heritage.  The mid-engine Ford GT features a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 that’s good for more than 600 horsepower, and it also offers a significant amount of carbon fiber in its structure, along with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.  The GT is a stunning achievement for the Blue Oval, and one that should shake up the world stage for current exotic players like Ferrari and Lamborghini.

•   The Ford GT is concept car.
•    Ford promises us the GT will go on sale next year.
•    Pricing has yet to be released for the supercar.

Unveiled in Detroit: Buick Avenir Concept

The Buick Avenir concept stole the show the night before it even opened with a dramatic off-site unveil that proved Buick is still stirring the drink at General Motors when it comes to global sales and prestige. The Avenir is, in a word, ‘gorgeous,’ and while this full-size sedan is entirely a styling exercise – although we are told it’s powered by a direct-injected V-6 and uses a nine-speed automatic transmission – we’re glad Buick brought it on stage. We don’t have much hope for a production model, but sources at Buick say that some Avenir cues will find their way onto the next-generation Buick LaCrosse flagship. 

•  This is the first time we’re seeing the Buick Avenir concept.
•  Don’t hold your breath, sadly.
• The Avenir is not for sale.

Unveiled in Detroit: 2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept

The 2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept is all of that and more: It’s a small pickup that’s built using the same kind of unibody construction as a car or crossover—or the Honda Ridgeline—and features a fairly bold and truck-like design, too. And while the Santa Cruz was designed to fit urban lifestyles, it also debuts a sort of slide-out bed extender that delivers the same overall bed length as a traditional mid-size pickup. It even showcases a diesel engine, in this case a 2.0-liter turbodiesel good for mpg grades in the upper 30s.

• The 2015 Hyundai Santa Cruz Crossover Truck Concept is a brand-new kind of vehicle for the U.S. marketplace, combining the best aspects of a crossover, a pickup and a fun-to-drive sedan, with seating for five and rear-hinged back doors.
• It’s just a concept … for now.

Scion iM Concept

Scion will make a concerted effort to reinvent itself over the next three years, introducing a trio of fresh products that will start with a production model of the Scion iM Concept that premiered in Los Angeles. As for the name of the new compact hatch, Scion say the “i” stands for “Individuality, Intriguing, and a good fit for customers’ Incomes,” while the “M” is for “Modern, Multifaceted and Magnetic.”

• The iM is based on a Corolla-esque hatchback offered by Toyota globally, with tuning partner Troy Sumitomo (of Five Axis) drawing his inspiration from European road racers to create a more aggressive look for Scion. Highlights include a body kit, lowered stance and sport-tuned suspension.
•  A production version will debut in 2015.
•  “Under $20,000,” according to Doug Murtha, vice president of Scion.

2015 Honda FCV Concept

Running solely on hydrogen and emitting only water vapor, the 2015 Honda FCV Concept sets the tone for a new production model that will spearhead the brand’s latest efficiency strategy—and it displays some very aerodynamic and futuristic styling, too. From a practical standpoint, the 2015 Honda FCV Concept targets a driving range of 300 miles, along with an expected re-fueling time of about three minutes. (Honda also recently partnered in an effort to increase the number of hydrogen refueling stations in the key California market.)

• The 2015 Honda FCV Concept touts a new fuel-cell stack that is small enough to fit fully beneath the hood, but also offers a 60 percent increase in power density. Owners also can expect major gains in cabin space as a result of the smaller stack.
• In 2016.
• Production pricing information is to come.