14 March 2013
Toyota's i-Road concept is a practical EV trike for two
Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota is no stranger to unorthodox personal mobility vehicles. Thankfully, unlike their previous four-wheeled experiments, their latest concept is more geared for realistic street use unlike the old egg- or wheelchair-like drones. The name could use a sprucing, though.
The Japanese automaker recently debuted the i-Road at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. With three wheels, two seats, and zero emissions, the i-Road is a totally electric concept vehicle meant to reduce the energy consumptions attached to transportation.
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Concept
Words by Carl Trocio | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corporation
Still basking in the success of creating “THE” drivers’ car to have - the Toyota 86 - Toyota came to the 2013 Geneva Motor Show to unveil their most-probably-to-be-produced concept of a topless version of their new starlet. And similar to a child star who “grew up” in all the right places, seeing a topless version of that would get mixed reactions. Set your eyes on the FT-86 Open Concept.
Aside from the obvious loss of a roof, an automatic tranny, and interior cosmetics, Toyota says it’s the same banana. Instead of a fixed metal roof, they put in an electronic-folding multi-layered fabric top with a glass rear screen all stowed behind the rear seats - all while maintaining the 2+2 seating format. Some genius might say that the headless horsey will be lighter than the coupe, but the top mechanism doo hickies and additional chassis strengthening doodads might make up for the loss of sheet metal weight.
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Concept
20 February 2013
Kia’s Cross GT concept hints of an upcoming sporty SUV
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Kia Motors America
Crossovers and SUVs are quickly becoming the transport of choice for most people nowadays. They're easy to drive, versatile, and can practically do anything a sedan can, only better. As a matter of fact, manufacturers have begun turning them into luxury saloons and even supercars. And the latest to join in the fray of classy sporty crossovers is Kia, who recently came up with the Cross GT concept.
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Concept
08 February 2013
Toyota confirms debut of open-top 86 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
Words by Christopher Kho
How do you make the world's most thrilling front-engined rear-wheel-drive lightweight sports car even better? By chopping its roof off, of course and turning it into a cabriolet. Toyota has confirmed that the “FT-86 Open concept” will make its public debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. While no exact details have been published, they did give us this sketch to contemplate upon.
According to Toyota, the concept is a “possible future development” of the Toyota 86 sports coupe. That means they're not exactly quite sure if it should go into production and they'll gauge the public's reaction to the model to know if they'll push through with it or not.
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Concept
Words by Jose Carlo R. Sapera | Photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Concept cars are hints of what car manufacturers may have in store for the next few years. They’re styled to thrill and, sometimes, tickle our imagination. This is also the best medium to showcase their latest tech. And the latest to turn our heads and tickle our senses is Nissan's Resonance Concept, which will be the basis of the next-generation Murano.
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Concept
28 January 2013
Hyundai's HCD-14 Genesis Concept hints of things to come
Words by Leo Lim | Photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai came up with the Genesis sedan back in 2007 as a way to show the world that they're now all grown up and ready to take on the big boys. Although the Korean premium sports sedan didn't sell that well in the Philippines, its Coupe version did. And at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai released the HCD-14 Genesis Concept as a showcase of things to come.
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Concept
23 January 2013
Veer into the individual: Honda GEAR Concept
Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Honda Canada Inc.
Falling into the ‘smaller’ trend, Honda follows suit after the Chevy Spark, Hyundai Eon, and Mitsubishi Mirage. At the 2013 Montreal International Motor Show, Honda Canada unveiled their concept unit for the chic, young, next generation urbanite - the GEAR Concept Study Model.
Honda doesn’t really say anything about the GEAR, just this statement from Honda R&D Americas Design Director, Dave Marek: "Subcompact cars are usually either utilitarian, but uninspiring or they're fun, zippy cars that are impractical and too expensive for the Gen-Y buyer, GEAR Concept tears down those walls - it's practical but fun, customizable, connected and affordable. Everything that young, discerning urban buyers would want in a car."
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Concept
Words by Ferman Lao | Photos courtesy of American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
Well, whaddya know? Honda is now the latest victim of what we'd like to call the “Goldilocks syndrome.” Not too big and not too small, they've created a compact crossover that fits the bill just right, and it's something they'd simply like to call the “Urban SUV Concept.”
Making its world debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, this small SUV is based on Honda's well-received and strong selling Global Compact Series platform, from which both the Jazz and City are derived. Their philosophy behind the Urban SUV Concept is that it will be their next wave of smart, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive vehicles - traits that Hondas of today are already well known for. Still, Honda feels it's the answer for a new wave of road users with “active lifestyles” (Are they hinting that we're starting to get a bit too sedentary?).
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Concept
