2008 Detroit Concepts

January 19, 2008 - By John LeBlanc

Also check out this year's Duds from the Cobo Hall show floor

DETROIT - Concepts are the rock stars of any auto show, they get all the attention with their outrageous looks. But not all concepts are created equal.

Separate the concept wheat from the production chaff, and you end up with these five true conceptual cars. If any of these ever make it to production as is, I'll gladly eat my media pass:

CHRYSLER ECOVOYAGER Nope, this is not a fuel-efficient Plymouth minivan. But with its shield-like grille and vertical headlights, at first glance the four-seat luxury crossover EcoVoyager looks vaguely like it may have rolled out of Cadillac's design studio. Even its fuel-cell and electric powertrain mimics Caddy's E-Flex System Provoq. The Chrysler's details – full-length glass roof, short body overhangs and a boat-tail rear – only confirm its "not ready for prime time" status. FAR-OUT STUFF: Without needing headphones, "Direct Sound" aims audio to one passenger without disturbing others. CHANCE OF PRODUCTION? If you're looking to trade in your Pacifica any time soon, don't hold your breath for this one.

DODGE ZEO Standing for Zero Emissions Operation, this all-electric, 2+2 sport wagon has a lithium-ion battery pack capable of travelling at least 400 kilometres. Resting in a rear-wheel drive configuration, the Zeo's 200-kilowatt (268 hp) single-electric motor moves it from 0-to-96 km/h in less than six seconds. FAR-OUT STUFF: A lit crossbar grille is "designed to communicate the use of electricity as the Zeo's power source." CHANCE OF PRODUCTION? If GM and Toyota are challenged to get their electric cars to market by 2011, expect to see the Zeo later than sooner.

HUMMER HX If you think the HX was conjured up by a bunch of kids who play Halo, you're not too far off. Designed by a trio of young designers right out of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, the HX looks more like a radio-controlled car found on a Toys R Us shelf. Its convertible body has removable roof panels, doors and fender flares. With virtually no overhangs, massive 35-inch tires and body-on-frame construction, the HX is no wimpy crossover. FAR-OUT STUFF: The speedometer and tachometer change to a wheel angle indicator when the transmission is in low gear. CHANCE OF PRODUCTION? Hummer probably needs a Jeep Wrangler competitor, but not this much.

JEEP RENEGADE The third in Chrysler's trio of green machines is yet another take on a small, eco-friendly Jeep off-roader. Like the EcoVoyager, the Renegade is an electric-hybrid, this time with a 1.5 L, three-cylinder BlueTec diesel "range extender." With 115 hp, Jeep claims Renegade can achieve 110 m.p.g. (2.1 L/100 km)! Jeep says an electric motor would power each axle to give its concept a "hang on and have fun experience," which sounds too much like a drive with my brother-in-law. FAR-OUT STUFF: There's a roll bar, but no top. Instead, like the Hummer concept, the rear cargo deck can be fitted with a variety of "lids." CHANCE OF PRODUCTION? When the Leafs win the Cup.

MAZDA FURAI Bet you didn't know that Mazda is the only Japanese manufacturer to win outright at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Okay, even if you knew that, maybe you were unaware that the Furai is a tribute to that 1991 787B winning race car. The design language of the Nagare concept from the 2006 Los Angeles show is clothed over a Courage C65 chassis that Mazda campaigned in the American Le Mans Series a couple of years back. Way cool. FAR-OUT STUFF: Its midship three-rotor engine can run on pure ethanol and makes a clean 450 hp. CHANCE OF PRODUCTION? C'mon! It's a race car swathed in custom bodywork. Fuhgeddaboutit!

 MITSUBISHI RA The thinking here is, if you're going to show off an "intimidating" and "aggressive" sport coupe with the ultra-sophisticated all-wheel-drive system from the new Evolution sports sedan, it had better be environmentally friendly somewhere. Hence, the RA has a 2.2 L turbodiesel four-cylinder engine with 201 hp, 310 lb.-ft. of torque and a "40-plus m.p.g. rating." The diesel is U.S. Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant. Expect to see it first before the RA's swoopy bodywork. FAR-OUT STUFF: Aluminum space frame and recycled plastic body panels. CHANCE OF PRODUCTION? Based on Mitsu's previous strategies, expect a watered-down version of the RA to replace the Eclipse in a couple of years.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher