Concept Cars: 2006 L.A Motor Show

By Feann Torr - 1/Dec/2006

Los Angeles, USA — If it's concept cars you want, it's concept cars you've got. Some of these priceless automotive sculptures are powered by petrol engines, some are diesel, and there's even talk of hydrogen, which is always good to see.

These are the show-stopping creations that are often given huge budgets by car companies, in order to both attract attention at motor shows, but also to give punters an ever-so-subtle glimpse at how the future of car design may progress.

From cars with unique in-built 'hydration' systems, to American muscle cars that have been given a complete reworking, the L.A. Motor Show was a veritable cornucopia of concept designs.

The Los Angeles Auto Show was moved from early in January to late November to avoid a clash with America's biggest auto exhibition - that being Detroit - but despite being relegated to a festive season non entity, it has turned out to be one of the more impressive auto shows this year. 

One of the main reasons for this is the abundance of brand-new, never-before-seen concept cars that have been revealed in Los Angeles, which includes a surprisingly diverse range of concept cars.

On one hand you have the incredibly smooth Nagare from Mazda, which is a very big deal for the Ford-owned Japanese brand, as it heralds the opening of a new chapter in design for the company, one that Mazda’s global director of design, Laurens van den Acker, will no doubt be celebrated for or vilified by millions of Mazda fans.

On the other hand, there is the truly perplexing Mustang Giugiaro Concept. It is based on a relatively cost-effective American muscle car but with a number of very Italian and very exotic tweaks - courtesy of Italdesign - it becomes something entirely different.

So, we've amassed five of the most important concept cars from the last major American motor show for 2006, and without further ado, here's what was on offer:

Mazda Nagare Concept

This is one of the smoothest concept cars ever created - just look at that profile! - and sets the scene for the future of Mazda's design ethos, which looks set to take the RX-8 bodyshape and make it even bolder, with more flowing bodywork. And best of all, it looks like the Mazda will keep developing its rotary engine range. Here's a tidbit from the Nagare article: "Even it's name, Nagare, means ‘flow’ in Japanese, and it looks like something that belongs in an aquatic environment, such are the vehicle's sinuous lines. This new concept is Mazda’s new global design director's (Laurens van den Acker) view of the future of Mazda, who was aided by Franz von Holzhausen.

HCD10 Hyundai Hellion Concept

Hyundai's reputation in the United States has gone from average to excellent in half a decade, and with sales that are beginning to worry its Japanese rivals, the South Korean car maker has a lot to cheer about. And this, the Hellion concept, is a daring design from the budding automaker that hopes to tap into an American desire to get off the beaten trail, while simultaneously trying to rework the traditional monocoque chassis. See what you think: "The animal symbology used in the creation of this vehicle is refreshing in the sometimes staid concept car world."

Volkswagen Tiguan Concept

Technically speaking this is a concept car, yet the vehicle profiled here is very close to what the final production version of the Tiguan will be like - VW's new compact SUV. Here's a snippet from the article: "What you see here is ostensibly a 'concept', but the production version that will be sold to people like you and me (and will be initially unveiled in the first quarter of 2007) is expected to look very much like this model, only without the massive wheels, garish colour scheme and over-the-top seat upholstery.

Ford Mustang Giugiaro Concept

Combining a very popular American muscle car with a distinct Italian flavour, this unorthodox concept car is also one of the coolest concept cars to be seen in quite some time. Created by Italdesign, this exotically-styled muscle car has the grunt to back up it's stunning looks, featuring a warmed-up supercharged V8 engine. Here's a bit from the article: "When we saw the new Mustang, we knew two things: It was the best we'd seen since the original, and we had to get our hands on one," said Fabrizio Giugiaro, styling director of Italdesign – Giugiaro S.P.A. "We still believe it’s important to show the automotive world pure exercises in style that interpret key models reflecting the history and image of important brands," added Giugiaro.

Honda REMIX Concept

Honda revealed two rather intriguing concepts at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, the tiny hot-hatch sports coupe, simply called the REMIX, and the Step Bus Concept, which is a very small people mover with a distinctly Japanese flavour. Regarding the REMIX, here's part of the article: "So, what this concept represents is simply a design study, and in Motor Show terms, it's the kind of 'What IS that?' model that will attract punters to the Honda stand, which in turn will increase the focus on its other models, like the Civic and Accord."