Top Five Concepts

By Matt DeLorenzo • Photos by Marc Urbano and John Lamm

Green is the new coin of the auto realm, both in the traditional folding money sense and in the desire to appear as being eco-friendly. Or at least that’s the conclusion to be drawn from this year’s crop of top concepts from the North American International Auto Show.

It’ll probably take in excess of a hundred grand of the folding stuff to take a seat behind the wheel of the Lexus LF-A Roadster concept, once the Japanese luxury maker finally sets an on-sale date for the 500-bhp V-10-powered supercar. Likewise, a fellow Asian automaker is seeking to project a sporty, upscale feel to its brand with the introduction of the Mitsubishi Concept-RA. Chrysler is looking to tap into the eco-friendly green zone with its Dodge ZEO show car, a sporty 2+2 pure electric car with a 250-mile range. The Mazda Furai is the fifth concept in a series exploring that manufacturer’s philosophy of using flowing shapes that not are not only appealing to the eye, but are also on the cutting edge of efficient aerodynamics. And the Land Rover LRX concept demonstrates that its SUV heritage can survive with a smaller, car-based footprint.

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

A roadster version of the LF-A concept and more details about the vehicle’s mechanical package.

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By Matt DeLorenzo and Photos by John Lamm

The tease continues. Lexus, which introduced its LF-A supercar two years ago, was thought to be bringing the final production version to Detroit. Instead, it showed a roadster version of the concept and revealed more details about the vehicle’s mechanical package.

While Lexus was cagey at first on whether the LF-A would be front- or mid-engine, it now acknowledges that the car will use a mid-front-mounted V-10 that “approaches 5.0 liters in displacement”, confirming speculation that it would be 4.8 liters. Part of the confusion over engine placement is due to the fact that the LF-A employs rear-mounted radiators, which are typical in mid-engine cars. The LF-A’s horsepower is said to be in excess of 500 bhp and Lexus claims a top speed of more than 200 mph. To more evenly distribute the vehicle’s weight, the sequential paddle-shift manual transmission is rear-mounted.

Like the coupe, the roadster stands just 48’ in. tall and rides on a 102.6-in. wheelbase. It measures 175.6 in. in overall length. While overall styling is similar to the coupe’s, the open LF-A now has a speed-adaptive rear wing incorporated into the design. The LF-A rides on massive 20-in. alloy wheels shod with 265/35R-20 tires up front and 305/30R-20 rubber in the rear.

The LF-A now sports prominent “F” logos on each front fender signifying that it is part of Lexus’ new F marque for models developed outside the normal vehicle engineering and development process.

Mazda Furai Concept

By Jonathan Elfalan

“Furai,” simply translated, means "sound of the wind" and is the fifth iteration or evolution of Mazda's new design language exemplified in its initial Nagare concept, which you may recall meant “flow.” Far from just a piece of artwork on wheels, this working concept actually began life as one of Mazda's 2006 season ALMS P2 race cars.

Built on a Courage C65 chassis and powered by a 450-bhp 3-rotor rotary engine, this ethanol (E100)-powered concept car is an exercise in reverse homologation: It represents an ideal within the Mazda philosophy, and that is to bridge the gap between single-purpose race cars (ALMS) and street-legal models (Ferrari Enzo, Lotus Elise), according to Mazda's Director of Design, Franz von Holzhausen.

The complex outer shell of the Furai clearly follows its predecessor's design trends, but through the guidance and expertise of Swift Engineering also functions aerodynamically. Front-fascia channels direct air to the brake ducts as strategically placed louvers on top of the front wheel fenders aid heat evacuation and help suck the front end closer to the ground. Its sculpted flanks create turbulence which draws air to the side ducts that help keep the engine cool in conjunction with the radiators mounted in the car's sidepods. Aft of the gullwing doors, flow-directing details continue to guide air over the car's rear haunches toward a large, functioning, adjustable-element spoiler. The sharp element you see protruding from the roof is called an Air Fang, and was designed by the guys at Swift to optimize ram air induction. The air split by the Air Fang creates vortices which force air down into the intake. Read More: Top Five Detroit Concepts

Land Rover LRX Cross-Coupe

A design study that's only the second concept vehicle that Land Rover has ever produced.

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By Andrew Bornhop and Photos by Marc Urbano

Amid strong speculation that Land Rover (and Jaguar) soon would be sold off by Ford, the Land Rover folks took the wraps off the LRX Cross-Coupe, only the second concept vehicle in the English company's history. With an emphasis more on on-road prowess than the mountain-goat abilities we typically associate with Land Rover, the LRX concept vehicle is seen as a compact, lightweight, fuel-efficient and ecologically friendly way to help Land Rover expand its global sales and perhaps become more attractive to potential suitors that include India's Tata.

As such, the LRX is built with environmentally friendly materials on a shortened version of the company's LR2 sport-utility vehicle, which means it's powered by a transverse-mounted inline-6 that sends power to all four wheels. We like the sloped-roof styling of the 2-door LRX, which maintains traditional Land Rover cues (particularly in front, with the clamshell hood) while incorporating bold elements such as strong fender flares. Inside the modern cabin, the four seats appear to hang from an exposed (and structural) center spine, covered in an attractive vegetable-tanned leather not unlike that of a baseball glove. What's more, the rear seats fold in a non-traditional way, creating enough room beneath the rear hatch for a pair of mountain bikes.

Land Rover will gauge public reaction to the LRX Cross-Coupe at the Detroit show, hoping it strikes a chord with people much like the Mini and Audi TT have done. If it does, and if the company can keep a production LRX looking just like this attractive concept, they may have a winner on their hands, as it will be the first Land Rover in which versatility and on-road dynamics do not take a back seat to off-road abilities. Read More: Top Five Detroit Concepts

Hummer HX Concept

By Matt DeLorenzo and Photos by John Lamm

Looking to challenge Jeep Wrangler head-on, Hummer has come up with an entry-level offering called the HX. Riding on a 103.0-in. wheelbase, the open-top HX measures 171.0 in. overall and is powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 producing 304 bhp and 272 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The suspension features an independent front with coil-over shocks and a semi-trailing link rear. Brembo 6-piston caliper front and 4-piston rear disc brakes are found beneath 20-in. alloy wheels.

This rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything SUV has the angular, bare bones look of the original H1, but on a much smaller scale. The face of the vehicle has round headlamps in square housing, the seven-slot grille opening and an upright front windshield, all classic Hummer cues. In addition, the slant-back design of the HX and the matte olive paint scheme are intended to echo the military origins of the Hummer brand.

The top can be reconfigured from a closed cabin for all four passengers, an open rear cargo area like an SUT, or a completely open roadster. The exposed hinges allow the two doors to be removed, and the composite fender flares can also be detached for additional clearance on tight off-road trails.