Detroit Concept Gallery: More Than Flights of Fancy

DETROIT, Mich. – Rarely is a concept car a pure flight of fancy. Expensive undertakings that siphon money and talent from more pressing projects, concept vehicles more often than not constitute rolling test beds for technology and design, built to give hints of the future or test consumer reaction. If they weren't designed to push the envelope with some basis in reality, there's little point in spending the time or money. The vehicles in this photo gallery all point to production cars of the future, with the exception of the Infiniti Kuraza, an upright and somewhat ungainly SUV with the sole mission of exploring people packaging. Others, like the Mazda MX-Crossport, and Suzuki Concept-X hint at future sport-utilities to come. Closer to reality are the Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept, Mercedes-Benz Compact Sport Tourer Vision B, Rolls-Royce 100EX, and Volkswagen Ragster, each of which displays strong flavor for vehicles arriving at a showroom near you by 2008. Finally, the Volvo 3CC is the Swedish automaker’s display case for future propulsion systems, be they gasoline-fired, electric, or liquid hydrogen burning. The package isn’t important; what’s inside counts.

Infiniti Kuraza Concept Front

Upright and slab-sided, the Infiniti Kuraza is more appealing on the inside than it is on the outside, which is not surprising given the concept SUV's mission to explore the packaging of people rather than cargo.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Infiniti Kuraza Concept Interior

Luxurious seating for six adults in total and complete comfort is the mission of the Infiniti Kuraza concept SUV. This is a vehicle designed for people, not cargo.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept Front

Jaguar's Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept foreshadows the redesigned 2007 XK sports car, which will look very similar to this vehicle. Jaguar says that the Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept portends the future design direction for the company, but we see very little original thinking in this nonetheless gorgeous car.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept Rear

From the rear, the Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe Concept looks very similar to the existing XK. The primary difference is that this vehicle has a hatchback that makes it easier to load luggage.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Mazda MX-Crossport Front

Wishing to blend the best elements of the RX-8 sports car with the utility of a crossover suv, Mazda concocted the MX-Crossport Concept. With flared front fenders, the RX-8 design heritage is strongly evident. It would be easy for Mazda to build this SUV on an upcoming corporate platform, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 making more than 250 horsepower.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Mazda MX-Crossport Rear

The Mazda MX-Crossport's flared haunches and upswept rear windows provide the vehicle with a crouched and aggressive appearance, even when standing still.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Mercedes-Benz Compact Sports Tourer Vision B Front

One day, in the not-too-distant-future, you can own something very similar to the Mercedes-Benz Compact Sports Tourer Vision B, complete with a three-pointed star on the front and a much shorter name. Mercedes wants to use the upcoming B-Class as a way to capture younger buyers and instill brand loyalty for life.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Mercedes-Benz Compact Sports Tourer Vision B Rear

Will Americans buy a Mercedes hatchback? Time will tell, but certainly this German luxury automaker will find another way to describe the production version of the Mercedes-Benz Compact Sports Tourer Vision B. Y'know, something like "sports tourer."

Photos by Erik Hanson

Suzuki Concept-X Front

Suzuki's mid-size XL-7 SUV is getting very old, and the concept vehicle that the company debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show points in the direction of the future. The Suzuki Concept-X gives a clear indication where the company is headed, and rumors persist that a vehicle similar to this will be placed on the Chevrolet Equinox/Pontiac Torrent platform within a couple of years.

Photos by Erik Hanson

Suzuki Concept-X Rear

Though many of the Suzuki Concept-X's design elements are derivative - do you see as much Infiniti, Jeep and Nissan as we do? - this is a handsome vehicle that would find plenty of favor with crossover SUV buyers, especially with Suzuki's excellent warranty.

Photos by Erik Hanson