As the 2013 concept cars had made their debuts, the future seemed ever closer. From hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles to body-steered innovations, the daring design pieces from the world’s top automakers stole auto shows throughout the year. Here are the 10 concepts that truly pushed the envelope in 2013.
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1. Honda FCEV
When Honda releases this car in 2015, the FCEV will actually be the second hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, offer by the automaker. The FCEV sports the design language of the future.
Unlike the FCX Clarity, which is already being test-marketed for lease in Southern California, the FCEV is waiting for it's 2015 debut. Both vehicles run on hydrogen fuel tanks that power electric motors, the system provides more range than lithium ion battery vehicles.
A lack of fueling infrastructure is their chief drawback. Best of all, refueling a hydrogen car takes just a few minutes.
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This truck is a win-win vehicle for consumers. The Atlas delivers superior fuel economy and performance for a time when carbon emissions have much stricter limits. It proved that it had a vision for the 21st century with the Atlas pickup it debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
Declared the “most significant vehicle” by Autoweek following the show, Ford Motor Co. has put up an impressive number of F-Series sales in 2013, over 700,000 units by early December.
3. Nissan Friend-ME
Nissan wanted to add a sporty quality vehicle that would not prove too edgy to be mainstream. In the attractive Friend-ME, they appear to have met their goals. The only adjustment the car might need is a different name.
Nissan says this four-door party on wheels is aimed at Chinese millennial of whom there are 240 million. The concept vehicle debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show in April. Nissan tipped its hat to the Facebook generation with the slick Friend-ME.
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4. Toyota FV2
I know the general rule of thumb is,try not to buy a vehicle that was built on a Monday or a Friday . Monday, autoworkers have a hangover, Friday, everybody Is itching to get their hangover. Result, poorly built cars on those two days. What is pictured above in the Toyota FV2, is what happens when everyone in the Toyota operation HAD A HANGOVER ! With that said, Toyota was making news for much of the year with its envelope-pushing concept vehicles.
I can see why.
Toyota has been trying to address issues of overcrowding and carbon emissions with its new vehicles. The FV2 does that and more. The FV2 debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show, is a body-steered machine the driver maneuvers in a semi-standing position. Sounds scary, just saying.
The biggest innovation? Toyota claims the FV2 will monitor the mood of the driver through image and voice recognition. YEOW !
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5.Cadillac Elmiraj
A “two-door sedan” capable of generating 500 horsepower on 500 pounds-feet of torque, the 17-foot Cadillac Elmiraj is a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan that will be highly sought after if GM ever puts it into production.
GM appeared intent on doing what Cadillac does best with the impressive Elmiraj that the automaker debuted at the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach in August.
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OK, imagine kissing an 18 wheeler that just happened to wander in your lane, enough said.
Nissan managed to set the standard with a handful of concepts from its design department in 2013. Among the most infamous was the BladeGlider that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November
The triangular vehicle featured one front seat and two back seats and rear-wheel electric motors that have engineers and drivers curious about Nissan’s “hyper-agile” concept.
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7. Lexus LF-NX
Aimed at the expanding crossover market, Lexus wants to attract young buyers for the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that combines with an electric motor to deliver utility and operation in electric-only mode at low speeds.
The ferocious Lexus LF-NX hybrid crossover appears to be something futuristic (yet green) villains will drive into battle Toyota also brought curiosity to its luxury division in 2013.
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8. McLaren P1
The McLaren P1 gives drivers a powertrain capable of producing 903 horsepower and zinging from 0-60 in under 3 seconds.
While Porsche was busy mesmerizing possible clientele with its 918 Spyder hybrid supercar, McLaren, an even more powerful hybrid vehicle at the Geneva Auto Show in March.
Top speeds will climb to around 217 mph.Take that, Porsche.
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9. Toyota FCV
Toyota made clear it has a expanded approach to zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles of it's future vehicles.
The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle it debuted in Japan was a look at a sporty green car Toyota says will be released in 2015.
Like the Honda FCEV, the Toyota FCV will face roadblocks in fueling, but long-range hydrogen cars are gaining acceptance in the automotive industry.
10. Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo
In an effort to steal the L.A. Auto Show in November, Mercedes pulled out all the stops in developing a real-world version of the supercar it created for the Gran Turismo video game.
It achieved it's goal in astonishing crowds and centering the focus on the Mercedes AMG performance unit as it continues its astonishing run.
If this car ever make it to production, it will feature an engine capable of 577 hp on 590 lb-ft of torque. Not bad for a car that started out as a video game.
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