Concept cars are unveiled every year at the various car shows around the country – a few looking more like space ships than automobiles. It’s no wonder that many of these cars never see the light of day, however some just require a little tweaking to become the next big thing. What's New? Concept Cars Tell it All
Acura, Mercedes, Lexus and Toyota did not disappoint at the recent auto shows, unveiling concept cars that look like they could propel into outer space. Pick your favorite and keep your eyes open in the coming years to see what these cars morph into once they hit the road.
Mercedes Benz Ocean Drive
As the name implies, the Ocean Drive is for all those beautiful people who will likely be driving it. What more could you ask for than four-doors and a convertible top – not often done for a variety of reasons, but it’s no surprise that Mercedes is doing it. With suede seats and larger-than-life wheels, the Ocean Drive comes with a retractable cloth roof. Basically, Ocean Drive compares to the S-Class with a twist. You will find the same exterior and the same front head restraints with television screens installed for those in the back seat. The best feature by far however, is the Airscarf System, which blows heat near the neck so you can take that top down even in cool weather. Based on the S-600 sedan, the Ocean Drive is a V-12 powerhouse with a very noticeable grill. The side glass is frameless and there is nothing to interrupt the lines when the top is open to the sky. In fact, the sharp bodylines give the Mercedes Ocean Drive a style all its own.
Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept
Following in the footsteps of the Acura NSX, this advanced sports car design features a V-10 engine and an unknown amount of horsepower. There is also the rear-wheel-drive option so all the bases are being covered. Just as in the NSX version, this new concept will have a low-profile, wraparound rear lights and an all-black glass cockpit. Lean curves will make you take notice as the lines appear and disappear into the metalwork. There are side repeaters that are positioned in the triangular recesses making them visible only from certain positions. The wheels are 19-inch on the front and 20-inch on the back and, also on the back of the car, there’s the airflow diffusers adding to the overall high performance intentions.
Lexus LF-A
In the typical Lexus styling tradition of the L finesse, the curved surfaces and unusual detail on the LF-A will really make you sit back and take notice. With 500-horsepower plus and a V-10 engine, the weight distribution on this Lexus stands out because of the engine, transaxle and radiator placement, which is just right. An intended 200 miles per hour with this car wouldn’t be a surprise considering the way it is built. With the 101.6-inch wheelbase and the fact that it stands only 48 inches high, it’s a sports car in name and numbers.
Toyota FT-HS
This car is being touted as the sports car for the 21st Century and since it’s a hybrid it already has a lot going for it. The FT-HS pairs a hybrid power train with the necessary sports car basics and you don’t feel like anything is missing both interior and exterior. In addition to being fast, the makers have also considered design, safety and the environment. The car is lightweight, with a high-output power train for the best acceleration possible and the best performance of any sports car in its class. Of course, the sleek look is also worth a mention because the Toyota FT-HS just looks really good. It’s a V6, 3.5L-engine with 400-horsepower and the car is expected to go from zero-to-60 in four seconds. The interior has a cockpit-like atmosphere and that also includes a cross-car instrument panel structure and a delta wing driver pod. You can get four people in this vehicle, but it is a two-seater when the roof is retracted.