Scion Fuse concept

Scion’s Fuse Concept is the motor home of the future for the youngest of drivers. It’s design stretches the role of the modern-day automobile further toward a living space with dual 10.5-inch video screens for movies and gaming, folding seat backs for lounging and a rear tailgate that extends out and down for curb-height seating. Such details – which seem culled from MTV Network show 'Pimp My Ride' – are meant to appeal to a targeted slice (15 percent) of the driving market under the age of 35 that Scion calls 'trend leaders'.

While the t2B concept, unveiled at the 2005 New York show, emphasized group activities, the Fuse explores the coupe as a vehicle for 'one plus stuff' – a twist on the term 'two-plus-two' – with three interior configurations: video, driving and cargo.

The exterior was inspired by Japanese 'HAKO' super GT race cars. Bold C-pillars are among the most notable elements. The Fuse bristles with innovation, including LEDs at the end of each wheel spoke that light up with the turn signals and a wrap-around windshield inspired by a helmet visor.

Acura MDX concept

Acura is intent on creating bolder designs to build on the success of its TL sedan in the United States. The next step is the new MD-X concept unveiled this week.

The biggest design challenge was to come up with a look as unexpected now as the current-generation MDX was when it debuted in 2000, said exterior designer and MD-X Concept project leader Ricky Hsu. "We’re taking the MDX DNA and we’re amplifying it," he said. To evoke the idea of aggressive performance, Hsu opted for as wide a stance as possible so that this spacious seven-seater SUV would look low. The arcing roofline and dominant D-pillar serve the same end.

A horizontal character line wraps all the way around the vehicle to create a sense of movement . The designers were careful to balance such texture without cluttering the clean look that is part of the MDX’s design DNA.

Hsu’s favorite design element is the "sinister-looking" front end with its slim headlights framing a massive grille and saucer-sized badge. This look has proven controversial within the company and in market research. "My fingers are crossed. I hope it grows on people," Hsu said. "Sometimes you have to take that chance and see."

Saturn Outlook

The all-new Outlook follows the Sky roadster in ushering in more expressive design for the company. Like Acura, Saturn is trying to be bolder in its design. Unlike many SUVs that have large front and rear overhangs, the Outlook’s wheels are pushed out to the edges to provide a broad, stable stance, says Ed Welburn head of GM design. There’s hardly a rear bumper. The aggressive headlight and front-grille design is consistent with motifs established by the Sky roadster and borrowed from GM’s Opel brand. Black rocker panels and lower bumper portions mitigate the considerable height of the body.

Interior design is simple and conservative. The instrument panel is low and pushed away from front-seat occupants for a car-like feel to match the sleek exterior that seems uncharacteristically aerodynamic for an SUV of this size.

Nissan Altima

Nissan has completely redesigned the midsize Altima, unveiled on Wednesday, but the overall appearance hasn’t changed much. The front end now resembles the larger Maxima with thinner, vertically stacked headlights and a T-shaped grille in keeping with the latest Nissan design vocabulary.

In response to consumer feedback, interior space was increased by moving the A-pillars forward and C-pillars back, as well as widening the greenhouse, says product chief designer Shinji Sasaki. These changes help make the interior more luminous, which was also important to consumers in focus groups. The wheelbase shrunk by one inch compared to the outgoing model.

“We made a wider lower portion to balance out the shape and minimize the bulk of the cabin,” Sasaki says. This was achieved by adding more pronounced shoulders. Headlights and fog lights pushed to the edges and a wide lower air dam and grille also serve to broaden and solidify the Altima’s stance. Adding machismo to the look was important, Sasaki says, and the sloping cut line along the car’s side helps achieve this.

Infiniti G35

Infiniti has redesigned its best-selling sedan, the G35, to be more consistent with the company’s evolving design vocabulary. As a result, L-shaped headlights and taillights and a more prominent 'double-arc' grille with polished blades have been incorporated. The triple air dams in the lower front bumper are reminiscent of the current model.

The redesign is measured rather than drastic and is infused with more sensuality. The designers sought a balance between a look that exudes dynamic performance and elegance. Ripples in the hood, which are prominent on the larger M35 and M45 sedans, have been smoothed and subdued on the new G35. The nose looks broader than that of the outgoing model. Curiously, the forward sloping character line along the side body curves downward just behind the rear wheel. Its arc parallels that of the roofline as it slopes to meet the short rear deck lid.

The interior aluminum trim has a pattern that mimics the look of traditional Japanese paper, or 'Washi'.

Saturn Aura

The proportions and size of the all-new Saturn Aura give away its ties to the GM platform that also supports Pontiac's G6. The Aura's tailights in particular are shaped almost exactly like those of the G6. But the rest of the exterior has a quality unto itself, which Saturn is hoping consumers will find more expressive and bold.

Design cues are being taken from GM's European Opel brand and are evident in the headlight and grille. Saturn's strategy is to offer a European flair with refined, sporty styling and performance. BMW must have been the inspiration for the brown leather seats: The color resembles that used on some BMW 3 Series and 5 Series models, while vertical seams in the middle of the seat backs and lower seat cushions look like they were taken directly from the seat design of the BMW X3.

In keeping with GM's corporate mandate to improve the quality of its vehicles' interiors, the Aura's cabin is cleanly designed and the materials, fit and finish are far better than those of the current Ion sedan, although the texture of the leather looks better than it feels.

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