Peugeot HX1

Peugeot drew some considerable attention at the Paris Auto Show last year when they introduced the EX1 electric concept for the very first time. This year, the French automaker is looking to repeat that with the introduction of their latest concept, the six-seater MPV concept called the HX1.

Blessed with a unique layout that makes use of Peugeot’s new design language, the HX1 is the company’s presentation of what their ’big’ models could look like in the future. The new revolutionary design includes "half-scissor" doors and a "floating" front grille akin to some of the company’s newest production models. The HX1 also features a hybrid powertrain system consisting of a 2.2-liter diesel engine and a rear-mounted 70kW electric motor.

All told, the HX1 Concept is Peugeot’s attempt in breaking new ground with their future models. No word yet on if the car is headed to production anytime soon, but that’s neither here nor there. For now, the important thing is that the French automaker is slowly stretching its legs, leaving behind the conservative ’label’ that they’ve been carrying for the longest time.

Supersonic

Imagining the car of the future would be a pretty serious challenge for most of us, but for Marko Lukovic, from Belgrade Serbia, this challenge was a piece of cake. His Supersonic concept car was designed for the 2011 "Plus 10: The Best is Yet to Come" challenge and was on display at the Michelin stand in Detroit.

The Supersonic has a three wheel based construction and offers interior room for two people, with seating one behind the other, like in a cockpit of a super aircraft. The concept is defined by elegant design lines, with extremely large Xenon head-lights additionally equipped with blue LEDs. Each of the three wheels is powered by a powerful electric motor. The front wheel is hidden and two rear wheels are equipped by circle Neon blue lights for better visibility and safety in traffic at night.

The electric motors take their power from light extra-durable electric batteries (an advanced lithium-ion battery) that will ensure an autonomy of 190 km of driving at higher speed around the town, and about 300 km at lower speed.

The concept comes with no mechanical linkages for the steering and brakes as the steering is based on Drive-By-Wire system. It comes equipped with a GPS navigation connected via satellite to CTSC (City Traffic & Security Center) which assists and suggests crucial activities to all drivers in some specific area.

2011 Volkswagen Polo R WRC Concept

Volkswagen will finally be entering the World Rally Championship and have prepared a new Polo R WRC Concept to help prepare the onslaught of fans ready to see the company in action. This new model will preview the production model that will be used in competition from 2013 and on.

"Almost exactly two years ago, in May 2009, the most recent model of the Polo was presented here in Sardinia. Today we are proud to show you the hottest Polo of all time – the Polo R WRC," said Luca de Meo, Head of Marketing of Volkswagen AG.

Volkswagen will take the experience of their three consecutive victories at the Dakar Rally and use it to formulate a vehicle especially for the WRC rally. The car set to compete in the WRC will be a near-300-hp rally vehicle with a 1.6-liter TSI engine and four-wheel drive based on the Polo.

"The new Technical Regulations of the World Rally Championship are an ideal fit for Volkswagen’s philosophy with respect to the development of production vehicles," says Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Management Board of the Volkswagen Brand, Development Division. "Downsizing, high efficiency and reliability are top priorities for our customers. The timing of the WRC debut is optimal for Volkswagen. The big task of engineering a vehicle that is competitive and capable of winning at a large number of challenges holds great appeal for us."

Volkswagen Concept Sports Car by Steel Drake

Volkswagen may have debuted the Bluesport sports car concept back in 2009 with hopes of producing it under the VW brand, but we highly doubt that anyone really planned on seeing it live and in production form. Then after the company announced it would shelf the concept until people started buying cars again, we thought it would be left there collecting dust until it was primed and ready to be published in a book of concepts that never stood a chance. Nevertheless, plans for the BlueSport are still in the works and graphic designer, "Steel Drake," has taken the opportunity to preview Volkswagen’s future sports car.

His rendition screams, "I’m the Audi R8’s forgotten younger brother," but Drake made sure to throw in his personal influence to differentiate it. Of course, that just left us with a front end that looks like it’s melting off, concave curves oddly place at the front of the doors, and the matching droopy taillights at the back. He did throw in some LED lights to try to balance the quirkiness with some normalcy, but that may have been a wasted attempt.

We don’t see this concept ever making it to the Volkswagen drawing table with their stamp of approval, but it does open the doors to what changes Volkswagen could make in order for their new sports car to compete in a populated segment. Ball’s in your court, Volkswagen. Show us what you got.