10 top concept vehicles

Volkswagen space up! blue

Vehicle type: 4-seat rwd mini-minivan

Engine: Fuel cell with electric motor in the rear

Seen: Los Angeles auto show

Designer: Klaus Bischoff, chief designer for VW brand

What’s cool: VW calls this the world’s first high-temperature fuel cell and says it is cheaper and weighs less than other fuel cells. It has a 60-mile range on batteries alone or a 200-mile range using the fuel cell and battery.

Will it be built? Diesel-powered version will be on the streets in 2 to 3 years.

Show reaction: Very positive, especially the styling touch inspired by VW’s 1950s Samba van — long, narrow skylights are in the roof, just above each door.

Lincoln MKR

Vehicle type: 4-door rwd sedan

Engine: 415-hp twin-turbo

3.5-liter V-6

Seen: Detroit auto show

Designer: Gordon Platto

What’s cool: This is something Ford Motor should have done years ago when it had money. Specifically, take the Mustang platform, stretch it, and use it for a Lincoln flagship. The MKR showcases the design traits that will influence a new generation of Lincolns, such as the bow-wave, double-wing grille opening, thin horizontal taillamps, and clean, uncluttered surfaces.

Will it be built? All it takes is money. Ford execs desperately want to produce the car along with the rwd Ford Interceptor sedan.

Show reaction: Crowd pleaser.

Chevrolet Camaro convertible

Vehicle type: 4-passenger rwd convertible

Engine: V-8

Seen: Detroit auto show

Designer: Brian Smith, exterior designer

What’s cool: “The Camaro convertible is so close to the perfect all-American car that it should be in a museum in a glass case marked ‘Muscle-car americus,’ ” says AutoWeek’s Mark Vaughn.

Will it be built? Thankfully, yes, arriving in late 2009 or early 2010.

Show reaction: Wow, wow, wow!

Mercedes-Benz F700

Vehicle type: 4-door rwd sedan

Engine: 1.8-liter four-cylinder

Seen: Frankfurt auto show

Designer: Peter Pfeiffer, head of Mercedes-Benz design

What’s cool: This concept is a big, S-class-sized, technology showcase that Mercedes-Benz says can average over 50 mpg. The 1.8-liter gasoline engine has two-stage turbocharging, direct-gasoline injection, variable valve control, controlled auto ignition and a Two Mode hybrid module with integral starter-generator.

Will it be built? Executives downplay the relevance of the dramatically styled sedan, but Mercedes sources suggest that various themes are likely to be developed further for production vehicles. Those include: the bold front-end treatment, prominent wheel arches and flowing C-pillars.

Show reaction: It wowed the crowd.

Ford Verve

Vehicle type: 3-door hatchback

Engine: Not disclosed

Seen: Frankfurt auto show

What’s cool: Ford proves that an econobox isn’t required to be lackluster, utilitarian and boring. The Ford Verve offers a stylish, premium-looking design that would turn heads at the country club.

Will it be built? This is the styling direction for the next-generation Ford Fiesta. The European model goes on sale in 2008. North American sales begin in 2010 with a sedan, positioned below the Focus.

Show reaction: Very positive

Dodge Demon

Vehicle type: 2-passenger rwd roadster

Engine: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder

Seen: Geneva auto show

Designer: Jae Chung, principal exterior designer

What’s cool: Call this a poor man’s Viper. The Demon concept is envisioned as a small, affordable, light-weight, rwd roadster for enthusiasts who love to drive, and especially, love to race.

Will it be built? Snowball’s chance in you-know-where. Under the German regime, there was a chance as the automaker looked for models to boost Dodge’s global footprint. Under the Cerberus regime, with investors up in arms over an expected billion-dollar-plus loss this year, Dodge’s mission and lineup are being re-evaluated.

Show reaction: A showstopper

Chevrolet Beat

Vehicle type: 3-door fwd hatchback

Engine: 1.2-liter three-cylinder

Seen: New York auto show

Designer: Injo Kim, exterior designer

What’s cool: This pint-sized minicar’s sloping hood, flowing side panels and big wheels scream “high-performance tuner.” A turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is packed under the hood.

Will it be built? The concept is several inches shorter than the Chevrolet Aveo. Korean production of a tame, less conspicuous model is planned in 2010. A decision on U.S. sales is pending. Analysts expect U.S. sales around the same time as the Korean launch.

Show reaction: Small + attitude = cool

Hyundai Genesis coupe

Vehicle type: Rwd coupe

Engine: 3.8-liter V-6

Seen: Los Angeles auto show

Designer: Joel Piaskowski, North American design chief

What’s cool: Head-turning styling, rwd and a 300-plus hp V-6 churning 0-60 mph acceleration in 6 seconds. It’s Hyundai’s response to America’s pony cars.

Will it be built? Name may change; production model will debut in March at the New York show and arrive in dealerships in spring 2009 as a 2010 model.

Show reaction: How about a ragtop?

Mazda Taiki

Vehicle type: Coupe

Engine: 1.6-liter rotary

Seen: Tokyo auto show

Designers: Atsuhiko Yamada, chief designer; Joe Reeve, exterior; Troy Trinh, interior

What’s cool: The rear wheels hover like sponsons; the thin leather seats are hand-painted with a metallic sheen; its coefficient of drag is a slippery 0.25; the rear turn lamps glow under the paint.

Will it be built? Expect to see design elements such as the grille theme and the flowing lines and panels on future cars.

BMW X6

Vehicle type: 4-door SUV

Engine: Two Mode hybrid

Seen: Frankfurt auto show

Designer: Pierre Leclercq

What’s cool: BMW is gambling that buyers will go for a nontraditional-looking SUV. BMW labels the X6 concept a “sport activity coupe” because of the steeply sloped roof that flows to the end of the vehicle. The X6 has the X5’s girth and capability.

Will it be built? The concept is essentially the production vehicle. Sales begin in 2008; the hybrid follows in 2009.

Show reaction: Home run. With the X5 already considered one of the best-handling SUVs, the X6 could be a driver’s delight.