But now VW is going all-in on performance with a dedicated concept car aptly named the ID.X Performance. Based on the ID.7 sedan, the ID.X Performance shares very little in common visually with its pedestrian counterpart beyond a basic shape.

The front end features a fierce makeover with a large black grille at the base of the bumper and matching vents at each corner. There’s also a carbon fiber diffuser and a GTI-esque red trim that wraps the entire vehicle. Chunky black plastic covers the wheel wells, which house a set of 20-inch sport alloys with special racing rubber.

The back end bears a massive rear spoiler atop the trunk lid, with a generous carbon fiber diffuser at the base of the bumper, and that same red piping from the front and sides of the car also extending to the rear. The entire car sits 2.4 inches (60 millimeters) lower than the traditional ID.7.

In terms of performance, the ID.X concept uses the ubiquitous MEB architecture that underpins nearly all modern VW EVs, with two electric motors giving it a total output of 550 horsepower (411 kilowatts). And just like the ID.7, the ID.X Performance concept has a DC fast charging capacity of 200 kilowatts.

Of course, there’s no confirmation that this concept will ever make it to production, but VW has already confirmed (and teased) a hotter ID.7 GTX with aggressive accents, improved aerodynamics, and hopefully more power. The ID.X Performance concept, meanwhile, will be on display at the international ID. Treffen show, which takes place in Locarno, Switzerland, until September 9.

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The 1:1 scale model combines three winning designs that took the honors in the latest competition from a field of over 600 entries. Participants were required to design a Polestar vehicle centered around the experience of performance while providing an advanced technical story that enables this in a sustainable way.

The judging panel selected two exterior winners and one interior winner, with the resulting Polestar Synergy being the product of over six months of collaboration between the winners and the Polestar Design team to turn three distinct dreams into one cohesive reality.

Inspired by nature, the final design of the fantasy supercar features a single-seat floating interior design with control at its core. At 179.5 inches long and 42.1 inches tall, the vehicle features dramatic proportions and details not yet seen from the brand, with the end result being a stunning supercar silhouette.

Both winning exterior designers, Devashish Deshmukh and Swapnil Desai, are based in Paris, France, while the interior designer, Yingxiang Li, is based in China. 

Deshmukh’s exterior design focused on hollowed-out volumes, inspired by a hammerhead shark, while Desai’s design was themed around emotional durability with technical upgradability and materials that age gracefully over time.

The cabin’s standout feature is a performance-orientated seating position that offers a new experience focused on “floating comfort and control.”

The Polestar Synergy concept will be on display at the Polestar Space in Munich during IAA 2023. After its debut at the show, the 1:1 scale model will be shipped to the US where it will begin its tour as a feature model at the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo, California, from October 7, 2023. Later on, it will make other appearances at Polestar locations around the country.

“It’s not often student designers receive such exposure at the start of their career, something the Polestar Design Community on Instagram does so well, amplified this year by the 1:1 scale model and its planned tour of Polestar locations around the world,” said Maximillian Missoni, Polestar’s Head of Design.

Speaking of Hot Wheels, Polestar also announced it is kicking off a partnership with Mattel’s brand. Hot Wheels will provide the inspiration for the next Polestar Design Contest that references designs from the American brand’s 55-year history. The partnership will also see Polestar’s production vehicles being immortalized as Hot Wheels and Matchbox collectibles in the future.

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Based on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), the Concept CLA-Class boasts slippery styling, sustainable interior materials, and a company-estimated range of 466 miles on the optimistic WLTP scale. And although powertrain and battery details are scarce, the automaker says the CLA takes inspiration from the Vision EQXX concept for both its electric motors and dash-spanning Superscreen infotainment system.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class

Crisp, Clean, And Classy

The CLA concept takes a familiar swoopy sedan (“four-door coupe”) shape that’s been a hallmark of the nameplate since its arrival for the 2014 model year. However, designers tweaked the look with a longer hood and shorter rear deck for sportier proportions, enhanced by the resplendent Pomegranate Red coat of paint. Further differentiating the Concept CLA from its predecessors is a much bolder grille element, cribbing its bottom-feeding shape from the Mercedes-AMG SL roadster and GT sports car. Rising from the body-color grille panel are a galaxy of three-dimensional, illuminated stars, giving the concept a jewelry-like appearance up close.

Mercedes’ corporate Sensual Purity design language is plainly apparent in the Concept CLA’s sleek bodysides and curved rear end, but it has been revised slightly with flared fenders appearing under a crisp strip of chrome that blends seamlessly into the front and rear lights. Speaking of, the head- and taillamps both boast full-width LED lighting and three-pointed daytime running lights, recessed within a relief instead of appearing underneath a sheet of glass or plastic. That gives the CLA a stepped-nose appearance up front in combination with the grille shape, which might be the car’s only styling misstep.

Inside, the Concept CLA borrows a lot from the Vision EQXX, including sustainable materials and a high-tech Superscreen display. The silver and white seat upholstery is done up in Nappa leather that’s been tanned using coffee husks, an otherwise unusable byproduct of the drink industry, and the shimmering purple accent fabric is made from recycled PET plastic. Strips of lab-grown silk appear inside the door pockets, the floor mats are made from bamboo, and the satin silver door pulls and armrest trim are actually made from recyclable paper. Fun styling elements include the classic Benz laurel wreath, upsized and embroidered into the seats.

Most obviously, the Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA-Class features a huge, dash-spanning Superscreen infotainment system comprising three separate displays: an instrument cluster and touchscreens in the center and in front of the passenger seat. What look like Mercedes-signature turbine HVAC vents are actually dials for the dual-zone climate control, with airflow actually coming from strakes behind the floating Superscreen. Running the infotainment system is MB.OS, the automaker’s new operating system that features a liquid-cooled processor – displayed proudly on the firewall – for faster operation, crisper graphics, and improved functionality.

Batteries Included

Since it’s still a concept and not a running, driving prototype, the CLA show car’s “specifications” are less literal and more a guesstimate of what we can expect from the series-production model slated to hit the market by the end of 2024. Yet those theoretical specs still offer plenty of promise. Although its water-cooled battery is distinct from the EQXX’s air-cooled unit, the Concept CLA boasts a number of efficiency and sustainability tweaks.

Two different battery types will be offered: entry-level, cost-effective lithium-ion phosphate chemistry and flagship silicon-oxide anodes for higher energy density. The battery cells are also held in place using adhesive instead of screws, saving weight, materials, and money while offering even better structural integrity. And although Benz wouldn’t cop to battery size, it did estimate that aforementioned 466 miles of range and energy consumption of 5.2 miles per kilowatt-hour. Do some math and you’ll come to a battery with 89.6 kWh of usable capacity.

The 800-volt electrical architecture gives the Concept CLA-Class 250-kilowatt DC fast charging capability, allowing it to add an estimated 248 miles of range in 15 minutes. Once on the road, the CLA’s battery sends power to a compact Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive Unit (MB.EDU), which integrates the electric motor, two-speed transmission, and associated inverters and electronics. Each unit weighs 243 pounds and puts out 235 horsepower, and the use of rare-earth metals in the MB.EDU is far less than in previous Mercedes motors for better sustainability.

On the Concept CLA, that drive unit is mounted on the rear axle, and the MMA platform is also capable of dual-motor power, meaning the production CLA should offer electrified all-wheel drive. Mercedes wouldn’t confirm whether the gasoline-powered version would be rear- or front-wheel drive in base form.

Production Preview

Speaking of all-wheel drive, the MMA platform will spawn at least three variants besides the CLA – two crossovers and a station wagon. As on the four-door, the other cars will likely also offer internal combustion powertrains, though the EV variant should arrive first. Other details as to the MMA cars have yet to be determined, though we expect the CLA shooting brake, GLA, and GLB to make their debuts soon after the CLA.

Clearly, pricing for these products is far off, but Mercedes has been frank in the past that it will likely be awhile before EVs achieve cost parity with internal combustion automobiles. We’ll certainly have more information before the production CLA hits European roads by the end of next year, though until then, Mercedes-Benz’s Munich concept will give us plenty to dream about.

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It starts with a person walking through a dark garage past two rows of Buicks parked in the shadows. Then it cuts to a vibrant orange Wildcat EV. Similar to the metallic gray concept car, there are subtle differences, including the wheel design and lack of chrome around the windows. The front fascia is slightly different, blacked out instead of featuring chrome slats. But the biggest difference is viewed from the rear. Instead of tail lights that extend up the sides of the rear window, the orange Wildcat’s lights are nestled into the tops of the fenders, extending along the edge of the rear spoiler.   

Next, the Wildcat EV takes to the road, winding along a two-lane highway next to a body of water. The low-slung coupe is presented from different angles as it climbs into the hills, drops into canyons, and rolls past a waterfall. On its Instagram account, General Motors Design indicates that the video is a behind-the-scenes animation used to pitch the Wildcat project to GM leadership.

Gallery: Buick Wildcat EV Concept

While the coupe was never greenlighted, the design language of the Wildcat EV is already trickling into the Buick lineup. The 2024 Envista’s visage borrows heavily from it, giving the small crossover a distinctive appearance to compete against the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos in the same segment. It’s also featured on the Envision, which is intended to compete with the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Across the entire lineup, Buick’s logo gets a makeover with a simplified design, aligning the tri-shields horizontally. 

Even though sedans like the Regal and LaCrosse exited the domestic market in 2020, they live on in China. Both cars were refreshed recently with updated interiors and styling that includes some of the same design language from the Wildcat EV.        

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Volkswagen calls the new California a concept, but it’s based on the current T7 Multivan which launched in 2022. Unlike previous versions, the new California has two sliding doors for added versatility. The second door does cut into the space for the kitchenette, but the new model manages to pack a refrigerator, cooktop, foldout table, prep space, and storage in a small package.   

Gallery: Volkswagen Multivan T7 California Concept

Top Gear notes that the California Multivan is the Goldilocks of Volkswagen’s camper lineup. It has more room than the smaller Caddy yet is a more manageable size than the Crafter. It also has four seats, making it practical for everyday use.  

The rear seats fold flat, transforming into a small double bed. With the addition of the pop-top, there’s enough space to sleep four people. Volkswagen touts the camper as having three living spaces. In addition to the van’s interior, there’s a triangular sunshade on the passenger side and an awning on the driver’s side to provide outdoor space that’s partially protected from the elements. 

Engine choices will likely include 1.5 and 2.0-liter gasoline engines along with a 2.0-liter diesel, which is still a popular choice in Europe. However, the real news is the option of a 1.4-liter plug-in hybrid producing 215 horsepower. It’s the first PHEV camper and has the ability to charge the battery from a campsite electrical connection. 

The T7 California camper recently debuted at the 2023 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany. Volkswagen has not indicated it will bring the California camper to the US, but it is expected to be available in the European market in 2024. VW exited the US van market when it pulled the Transporter in 2003 but older versions are still popular and in use as campers today.   

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This is the Electric Vision Design Study, and it bears a striking resemblance to the now-discontinued NSX sports car. Sculpted alongside the ZDX at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, the front is equipped with slim vertical headlights that nearly mimic the look of Acura’s IMSA Prototype racer. There’s a corresponding light bar that extends across the slightly pointed nose as well, and an illuminated Acura badge on the hood – all in a fluorescent green color.

“Our Acura design team in Los Angeles is dreaming up the future of Acura Precision Crafted Performance in the EV era,” notes Dave Marek, Acura’s executive creative director. “This latest expression of an all-electric high-performance model is inspiring everyone in our design studio to push the boundaries ad we wanted to share the fun with our Acura fans.”

Acura says that the Electric Vision Design Study provides a sneak peek at a potential sporty EV. But the company isn’t confirming whether or not this concept will reach production, nor does the Electric Vision Design Study have any real power or performance figures to report.

Acura has plans to push its performance portfolio into the electric age beginning with the new ZDX Type S, which boasts 500 horsepower, and extending to future performance EVs down the line. Acura hopes to sell 300,000 EVs by the year 2030, and a significant portion of those vehicles will wear a Type S badge.

This concept would act as an excellent replacement for the recently discontinued NSX hybrid sports car. For reference, the standard NSX delivered 520 hp from its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 hybrid setup, and the swan-song Type S model produced 600 hp. Any future electric sports cars from Acura would undoubtedly have to top those figures.

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The Infiniti QX Monograph’s bold styling starts up front, with a forward-leaning grille boasting chevron-style diagonal bars pointing upward to the company’s new, three-dimensional “infinite road” badge. Mounted high on the prow of the SUV, the grille appears between trendy low-mounted headlight units nestled in bumper corner vents. Running along the leading edge of the hood – including the top of the grille – is a set of “piano key” daytime running lights that perform an approach animation that Infiniti says is inspired by a bird taking flight. Uh-huh.

Gallery: Infiniti QX Monograph Pebble Beach Concept

The piano keys make yet another appearance on the rear, where a full-width LED bar appears under the backlight. Look closely and you’ll see that the chunky light elements are actually made up of little horizontal light strips that remind us a bit of a synthwave sunset illustration. As on the new QX60, the Monograph features a floating roof with a beveled accent running along the rear quarter window.

The squinting lighting elements and double-arch grille draw clear links to other modern Infinitis, but the QX Monograph is more angular. Body surfaces appear simply adorned, but there are complex character lines such as the hood’s prominent center rib, as well as an angled surface appearing along the beltline that picks up where the hood’s clamshell leaves off. There’s a functional front fender vent with mesh inspired by the longitudinal grain of bamboo, providing a nature-inspired link to the car’s Japanese heritage.

Those surface accents are more obvious when viewing the QX Monograph in varying lighting. Infiniti painted the big SUV in a warm silver hue called “Akane.” The six-layer paintwork is inspired by the transitioning colors of a sunset, and the concept indeed appears pink, light purple, and even bluish-gray depending on the light. Red accents on the wheel spokes and “Monograph” badging add to the twilight motif.

The QX Monograph’s big proportions and squared-off roofline provide the most obvious links to the existing QX80, but the concept is far more modern and cohesively designed. Of course, it will take more than styling to bring the dated QX80 up to snuff compared to the cutting-edge Cadillac Escalade and MCM-chic Lincoln Navigator, so here’s hoping Infiniti has a high-tech powerplant and impressive cabin comfort in store for its flagship SUV. As for when we’ll see a new QX80 in showrooms, Infiniti’s Monograph concepts tend to arrive about a year before their production variants. Plan on seeing a new QX80 in time for the 2025 model year, then.

Infinitely Gorgeous:

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Toyota didn’t release any technical details about the Rangga Concept. It also didn’t outline the vehicle’s physical dimensions. Judging by the photos, this appears to be a fairly compact model. All of the builds have a single-cab body. 

Gallery: Toyota Rangga Concept

Toyota says a production version of the Rangga is coming in the future. However, the announcement doesn’t say exactly when it goes on sale.

Toyota is holding a contest in Indonesia for people to create renderings of what the Rangga could be. The automaker supplies a template, and artists can customize the vehicle from there. The examples in the gallery above include a drift truck and a camper. The creator of the winning design gets the equivalent of $6,500 (100 million Indonesian rupiah).

When the production-spec Rangga arrives, local upfitters would customize the vehicle to fit a customer’s requirements. Toyota even has representatives from local conversion companies at the Indonesia International Auto Show to discuss the possibilities with potential buyers.

According to Toyota’s vehicle announcement, the name Rangga takes inspiration from the word “Ronggo” in the Javanese language, which refers to a hero and carries connotations of being strong and tough.

There’s nothing like the Rangga available in the United States. However, Toyota is reportedly considering whether to build a Corolla-based pickup in the US. It doesn’t yet have a green light for production and wouldn’t arrive until 2027 at the earliest if the executives sign off on the project. The compact, unibody truck would compete against the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Assembly would possibly take place alongside the regular Corolla in Mississippi.

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This is the (deep breath) 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle El Camino Surfer I convertible concept. GM Design recently shared a couple of images on Instagram, and we were so smitten by a roofless El Camino towing a floating, straight-piped V8 that we contacted the General Motors Heritage Archives for more information.

^{Photo Credit: GM Heritage Archive}

The story is pretty straightforward: Chevrolet executives wanted to showcase a new high-performance V8 engine coming out for the 1966 model year. So engineers lopped the roof off an El Camino, dropped the engine into both the car and a cool boat, and sent it out on the auto show circuit.

Of course, there’s way more to the story than that.

Perusing original 1965 press announcements sent to Motor1.com, we learn this project was all about showcasing Chevrolet’s then-new 396 cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8. The engine was installed in the El Camino, but to give it a bit more visibility (figuratively and literally) it was also used in a custom Gaylord ski boat. Original documents state the engine made 425 horsepower, and in the boat, it was fitted with “individual chrome plated exhaust stacks for efficient exhaust expulsion.” We suspect the straight pipes were also efficient in causing temporary hearing loss, but hey. There are worse ways to bust eardrums.

^{Photo Credit: GM Heritage Archive}

The El Camino tow vehicle, in addition to having its roof lopped off, was also lowered. The custom roof-ectomy required special side pillars that simply ended at the top of the glass, and spotlights were installed on the doors because that’s what everyone did in the ’60s. In keeping with a nautical theme, there’s actual wood trim on the car’s rocker panels, tailgate, and bed. It blends with a pearlescent white exterior and contrasting red interior, and the colors are carried over to the boat as well as the custom-designed trailer.

This eye-catching concept rig not only showcased the new V8, but helped spread the word about Chevrolet’s involvement with marine engines. The archived press information reminds us that the automaker was a major supplier in the marine segment, and the 396 would go on to considerable success in that field. As for this particular straight-piped ski boat, we have no idea if it ever reached the water. If so, our condolences to the ears of anyone within a half-mile radius.

For that matter, we have no idea what happened to the entire Surfer I concept, car and boat. Hand-written notes on the original press release state it was shown at the 1965 Chicago Auto Show and later at the New York World’s Fair. A representative from the GM archives confirms it is not in the company’s collection. Further sleuthing on the internet turned up similar dead ends, which suggests it may have been crushed a long time ago.

But, for one brief moment in the mid-1960s, Chevrolet had a supremely awesome cure for the summertime blues.

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The new Hyundai Santa Fe adopts a boxy exterior appearance that makes the new model look more chiseled than any previous generation.

Hyundai describes the XRT as “a concept model tailored to cater [to] diverse needs of outdoor enthusiasts.” It uses the Calligraphy trim as a starting point and adds a variety of components. There’s a roof rack with a spare tire. A ladder is on the rear. A small storage case is on the side at the rear. The customized SUV wears more rugged tires than the stock vehicle, too.

This story is developing…

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