Cars & Concepts
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A look at some of the cars that turned heads at auto shows in 2012.
Photo credit: RICK KRANZ
Updated Acadia
GM gave the popular GMC Acadia crossover, unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, its first major changes since its 2007 debut. All the sheet metal is new with the exception of the doors. New features include wraparound rear glass and the industry's first front-center airbag.
Something X-tra from Tesla
In February, Tesla Motors revealed the second step of its product plan -- the Model X, a crossover the electric vehicle maker says will out-accelerate a Porsche 911. The second-row "falcon-wing doors" are a double-hinged version of the famed gull-wing doors on the iconic Mercedes-Benz coupe from the 1950s. Deliveries of the Model X will begin in 2014.
Toyota's brainy new Insect
Toyota generated buzz with its latest concept vehicle, a tiny one-seat electric car called the Smart Insect. The gull-winged ride is supposed to embody all that is next-generation about onboard information technology. Toyota showed the flea-sized four-wheeler at the CEATEC electronics trade show this fall outside Tokyo.
Photo credit: RENATO ZACCHIA
Resurrecting the Viper
Chrysler unveiled the SRT Viper at the New York auto show in April. The 640-hp sports car is being produced at Chrysler's Conner Avenue plant in Detroit, which built the last Viper in 2010. Deliveries to customers were set to begin in December.
Photo credit: LINDSAY CHAPPELL
Low-slung Track'ster
Kia unveiled the all-wheel-drive, three-door Track'ster concept at the Chicago Auto Show in February. Though based on the five-door Soul, the Track'ster is about 5 inches lower, 5.5 inches wider and 4 inches shorter. Kia has not said whether the concept will make its way into production.
EV-ery bit a BMW
BMW's i3 Concept Coupe, an electric vehicle unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, drew raves for its carbon fiber reinforced plastic body, heavily sloping roofline and deep rear-side windows.
Photo credit: JIM FRENAK
Ogled in Detroit
Journalists aren't supposed to applaud, but there were whoops and hollers when the wraps came off the Acura NSX at the Detroit auto show in January. The two-seat hybrid sports car will be made in Ohio.
