Cool Concept Cars

Automotive companies generally release concept cars every year at numerous car show events. These autos are not for sale but only for display; many are futuristic and utilize outrageous design and incredible technology. Even though many may appear unrealistic; they give us a small peek into the future. Some companies even have contests where university students can submit their ideas and sketches. Building a concept vehicle is a great opportunity for a designer to really let loose and get extremely creative.

Many cars throughout automotive history were actually inspired by concept cars. For example, the General Motors Le Sabre is a concept vehicle that was also designed by Harley Earl in the nineteen fifties. It was used to introduce 12 volt electrics and an eight cylinder engine for General Motors. Concept cars are generally outrageous but some of their more usable features are generally incorporated in autos that are made available to the public.

Did you know that the Corvette was actually inspired by a concept car? The idea came from a concept auto called the Chevrolet Corvair Monza back in the 60's. This may seem a bit crazy nowadays, but Ford actually had a concept vehicle that was based on nuclear power; the Nucleon. We all became familiar with the Pontiac Bonneville as a family car, but the name first appeared on Pontiac's first two-seater concept showcased in 1954 called the Pontiac Bonneville Special. Mini vans are now everywhere but they used to be unheard of back in the seventies; the first mini van was also prototype back in the 70's; it was called the Lancia Megagamma.

Currently the trend appears to be vehicles that can serve more than one purpose. This can be seen in the Bugatti Altess Concept car. What's different about this auto is that it's not only a tourer but also a racer; it combines the best of both worlds. It's almost like a real-life Transformers car; just a few quick fixes and it turns from a tourer to a hot rod!

Many designers are also focusing on cars produced for the city. Many futuristic city cars are made to be super small and efficient. Citroen is showcasing its E-3Pod Antistatic concept, another three-wheel electric car created by a student designer. It seats only the driver who is situated in the third wheel and features two smaller wheels at the front. As you can see, many current cars were actually inspired by concept cars. If you want a glimpse into the future, all you need to do is attend one of the big international auto shows. Who knows, perhaps one of the cars you'll see there might end up becoming a common sight on the roads twenty years from now. You'll never know!

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New Toyota Camry Seeks to Hold Off Resurgent Rivals

The Toyota Camry is on top of the automotive world as this five passenger mid-size sedan has been the best selling car in America almost every year since 2000. The current Camry, however, has been bypassed by newer models -- not in sales, but in relevancy. Several models including the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima are newer, offering more content, a competitive price and better gas mileage.

Stiff Competition

With the competition learning how to take on the Toyota Camry and the runner-up Honda Accord, the Camry is at once dated and vulnerable. Though no automaker has the manufacturing capacity to beat Camry, collectively models from the Korean producers, Ford, Chevrolet and others can chip away at sales. For consumers its a win-win environment: today's midsize cars offer outstanding value and are attractive.

Although Toyota needs to update the Camry, the changes are expected to be evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. The Camry's current design is a winner, which means messing with its success could spoil its place on the market.

Hyundai & Kia

Instead, look for Toyota to tweak what it has including presenting an engine-transmission choice that approaches if not rivals the Sonata. The Hyundai Sonata and its cousin, the Kia Optima, have been gobbling up sales as the Sonata raised the bar by delivering 35 mpg highway driving. Moreover, the Sonata Hybrid is a hit, delivering 40 mpg on the highway.

Sneak peek photos of the next generation Camry confirms that the car looks similar to the current generation model, but with some notable Lexus styling cues apparent. Those cues include refined headlamps and grille, updated wheels and new side mirrors. Inside, the Camry may have more options, bringing it closer to the Avalon in appointments, a model which is the closest thing to a Lexus that Toyota sells.

New Models

Just as soon as Toyota updates the Camry, other competitors are expected to roll out new vehicles too. Beginning in January 2012, GM is expected to introduce the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and later that year the next generation Ford Fusion will hit the market and with an optional lithium-ion battery pack hybrid model following.

Perhaps the most significant new competitor for the Toyota Camry will be the all new 2012 Volkswagen Passat, a model currently being built in Tennessee and hitting showrooms later this summer. The Passat is larger and cheaper than the outgoing model, giving VW the right model to take on all comers, including Toyota.

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