Nissan Sport Concept

The Nissan Sport Concept follows design language established by two previous concepts, the Actic and Azeal. These three vehicles represent Nissan's attempt to infuse innovation, sportiness and driver enthusiasm in the small car segment. Nissan execs say this segment traditionally lacks design excitement and strong visual appeal.

The design of the Sport Concept is meant to evoke the look and feel of a grand touring car in an affordable vehicle for young, new-car buyers. Nissan execs described the exterior shapes as geometrical and mechanical, creating a sense of acceleration and kinetic energy. Bold surface composition, robust fender character lines, deep front spoiler and side sills, and 20-inch wheels imbue an animated, video game-like stance.

Some of the forms at the rear, particularly the C-pillar and rear hatch, seem to resemble the five-door version of the Mazda3. The Sport Concept's headlights and rear combination lights use small lamps with multi-layered reflectors.

The interior is designed to fit four, with an emphasis on the front two seats. Four-point harnesses and racing-style bucket seats enhance the video-game, street-racer quality.

Scion t2B concept

'Demado' ('bay window' in Japanese) was the muse for designers of the Scion t2B. The goal was to create a sense of space inside, like a bay window, resulting in a reverse trapezoidal body shape: wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The wedge shaped roof makes for a more sporty and aggressive silhouette.

The high belt line gives the impression of a shorter greenhouse, and the overall effect of the proportions creates a 'chopped' look while preserving good outward visibility, says Alexander Shen, the t2B's lead designer from Calty Design Research. “We wanted a real wide look up on top so we have the wraparound windshield that carries all the way through to the sides. If we had dropped the belt line down, it would ruin the design integrity of that,” he explained.

Seat padding on the doors that flows into the seats and lights in the wrap-around 'information ticker' create a casual, lounge-like interior, said Calty interior designer William Chergosky. Docking stations for iPods are built into the upper dash and mimic glass roof panels meant to enhance the sense of space.

Suzuki Concept-X2

Suzuki's Concept-X2 previews a forthcoming compact SUV. In keeping with its recreational roots as a maker of motorcycles, personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles, exterior and interior design themes are meant to convey a sense of adventure and athleticism. To this end, design team leader Kuniyuki Tanaka said the goal was a muscular form with flowing lines - powerful, yet graceful, like an athlete at the peak of training. This can be seen in the arch of the window line perpetuated by the leading edge of the tail lamps, he explained.

The two-tone color scheme accentuates this arch. Silver was chosen for the outer roof edges and A- and D-pillars to imply technological prowess, said Kimihiko Nakada, assistant manager of the color team.

The Concept-X2's stance is wide, anchored by flared fenders. Tanaka's original design had to be narrowed at the rear for the sake of aerodynamics. Flourishes like the small, side air inlets at the base of the windshield add sportiness and evoke shark gills. Likewise on the interior, polished metal is used throughout to imbue sportiness and highlight technology.

Jeep Commander

Taut lines, sharp angles and flat surfaces of past Jeeps helped guide design of the new Commander. The simple boxiness of the Jeep Cherokee (produced from 1981 to 2001) had the biggest influence, says John P. Sgalia, director of the Jeep design studio. Other influential models from the past include the Willys Station Wagons (1946-1962) and the Jeep Wagoner (1963-1991).

There's hardly any curve to the Commander's windshield and its sides and rear are almost completely upright. The boxy styling isn't just for aesthetics, but was mandated by the need for commodious second- and third-row seating, Sgalia says. The stepped roof was also added to this end. Sgalia is proud of the way roof rails conceal the extra 3.15 inches of height at the rear.

About two inches longer and nearly four inches taller than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Commander is imposing. Jeep calls the design “simple, strong and purpose-built, with no fussy details.” The hood and shoulders, which extend the length of the vehicle are reminiscent of the iconic Jeep Wrangler. A signature, seven-slot Jeep grille dominates the front fascia. Quirkier design flourishes include D-pillar assist handles that sprout from the back of Limited models (absent on base models). Allen head bolts on the fender trim, headlights, instrument panel, steering wheel and shift knob are meant to contribute a mechanical, constructed look. Circular elements prevail in the interior, including air vents, steering wheel pad and door handles.

Ford Shelby Cobra GT500

Classic Le Mans-style white stripes dominate the exterior of the new Ford Shelby Cobra GT500. A number of styling cues evoke the original Shelby Cobra of the1960s and highlight the well proportioned, handsome design of the base Mustang. Some, like the reworked front fascia are an aesthetic improvement over the base design. Revised headlamp insets change the shape of the upper grille, making it symmetrical with the lower grille, while mimicking the classic Shelby Cobra.

A pair of functional heat extractors pierces the hood and in conjunction with the re-contoured grille, improves airflow and aerodynamics. The restrained rear spoiler is reminiscent of the classic GT500 and improves downforce at high speed. GT500 nomenclature is prominent in lower body-side racing stripes, another cue from classic Shelby Mustangs.

The rear fascia features strakes inspired by the Ford GT supercar's integrated rear airflow diffuser. Nearly every part of the interior has been swathed in black leather. Red leather inserts trim the seats and door inserts.

Mercedes R-Class

The R-Class, which follows closely the Vision-R concept unveiled at last year's Paris show, marks the introduction of a 12th model line for Mercedes-Benz. One of the biggest challenges in designing the R-class was balancing the proportions of a minivan, SUV and wagon, since the vehicle is meant to blend the function and aesthetic of all three, says Peter Pfeiffer, senior vice president of design for Daimler Chrysler.

The R-Class has a long, sloping profile with a bold accent line that extends the length of the body. The latter helps create a sense of motion and dynamism, Pfeiffer says. The vehicle's shape is meant to evoke lowered custom cars of the 1950s and 60s, particularly around the rear roof pillars. The arc formed by the upper window edges mimics that of the slinky CLS coupe, Pfeiffer says.

The surface of the front hood is a few inches above the fenders, defining the nose of the vehicle and creating a strong line between the roof pillars and front bumper. The windshield is so steeply raked (61.5 degrees) that it seems to extend the line of the front hood. Exposed elements in the headlights create jewel-like details and the headlights' placement lends width to the vehicle's stance.

At about the length of an S-Class sedan, the R-Class is five inches longer than a Cadillac Escalade and ten inches longer than a Cadillac SRX.

Page 1 of 2