Concept
car of the year: Honda FCX
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| Runner up: | ||
Chevrolet Volt Chevrolet Volt brings the concept of "Plug-in power". It is basically an electric car, but to extend range a charging power unit is built in the car. This can be any types of internal combustion engines or even hydrogen fuel cells. They don't need to be very powerful because they work constantly all the time to charge up the battery. The charging power unit is plug-in type, meaning for different market different types of power unit can be used. A brilliant concept. |
Lancia Delta HPE  Lancia Delta HPE was shown as a concept car last year but as we know it is almost production ready. It breaks the mold of conventional hatchbacks, combining sportiness and prestige feel. This is obvious when compare to its sister car Fiat Bravo. The production Delta will be very important to the revival of the Lancia brand. If the engineering aspect could be as good as the styling, this car will be a hit in 2007. |
Lincoln MKR  Lincoln is another sunset luxury brand needs reviving. In the past few years the revival job was responsible by design chief Gerry McGovern, but his controversial concept cars had never evolved into production. Since Volvo's Peter Horbury took over Ford's design activities in the North America, Lincoln's design seems shifted up a gear by displaying the MKR concept car. Its sporty profile, clean surfaces and stylish features – such as the signature double-wing grille – are both imaginative and beautiful. If the future Lincoln production cars look half as good, they will be hot sellers unquestionably. |
| Past
winners: 2006 Mazda Kabura 2005 Fiat Trepiuno 2004 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 2003 Italdesign Brera 2002 Saab 9X 2001 Cadillac Imaj 2000 Bertone Bella |
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Concept cars could have
many purposes. Some concept cars intent to explore new styling
direction of future products. Some demonstrate new technologies and
materials. Some explore new forms and functions. Some preview future
production cars. However, few concept cars can combine all these
purposes like Honda FCX. This car actually debuted in late 2005 in
Tokyo motor show but the running prototype was completed and
demonstrated in September 2006. 
The FCX is a very stylish 4-seat sedan. Its wedge-shape,
monospace design looks futuristic and achieves high level of finishing.
There is little of the bulkiness normally associated with monospace
cars, thanks to the fast windscreen and rear screen angles as well as
the sharp crease lines running on the shoulders, which strengthens
towards the tail. The waterdrop shape is clearly designed to achieve
low drag. The slim headlamps run continuously from the right to the
left of the car. This is mirrored by the tail lights. The overall
exterior design is characterized by a clean and bold profile and great
detailings.
However, highlight of the FCX is undoubtedly its fuel cell
technology. By placing the fuel cell power unit in the transmission
tunnel vertically instead of under the floorpan, the FCX can be made as
low as conventional cars. An electric motor produces 127 horsepower to
enable a performance practical enough for production cars - 100mph top
speed and 0-60mph in about 10 seconds. Honda has also improved its fuel
cell power unit substantially in the second generation. It is way
lighter than the first generation FCX (67kg v 202kg) and takes far less
space. The whole powertrain now takes about the same space as a V6
hybrid unit. The range has improved 30 percent to 350 miles.