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Video: 2007 Detroit Auto Show Concept Cars

03:29 min
By Cars.com Editors
May 13, 2009

About the video

Cars.com checks out concept cars from the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Transcript

(high intensity techno music) Hi, I'm Patrick Olsen, managing editor of cars.com, reporting to you from the floor of the Detroit auto show.
Today, we're going to talk about some of the most exciting concepts rolled out by auto makers, including Ford, Chevy, Acura and Honda. One of the concepts getting much of the talk at Detroit is the Ford Interceptor. A four-door sedan, it's got very muscular lines and it looks a little like the new Ford Edge on the front. The interceptor is imagined with a large engine, a five liter V8 that gets 400 horsepower, and it can also run on E85. Inside has got black leather working with metallic finishes and uses the concept that Ford calls the "squircle", squares inside circles. One of the most interesting things about the Interceptor are the retractable headrests. Ford says that they're deployed from the roof when the car is parked and move back and forth, and each occupant can adjust them to whichever height they need. The bold styling, the big tires make this one a winner for car enthusiasts. One of the sleekest cars here in Detroit is Jaguar's concept, the C-XF. Designed for speed, it's got a 4.2 supercharged V8 that produces 420 horsepower and could reach top speeds of 155 miles per hour. The C-XF is one of a number of cars here in Detroit that are making use of ambient lighting throughout the cabin. One of the most interesting concepts at the Detroit show is the Ford Airstream. Based on the Airstream trailers in the the fifties, it comes complete with a cylindrical video screen in the back seat. The front seats are egg-shaped, the back doors are Dutch with a lifted tailgate, that lets you put in whatever you want. Ford envisions The Airstream, running on electrical power at all times, it uses an advanced fuel cell system to make that happen. It sort of reminded us of Scooby Doo's mystery machine on steroids. You should pay attention to this Honda accord coupe concept. More than a few people think that the design elements present here are going to show up in the new Honda accord coupe and sedans in years to come. This Honda looks more aggressive than current models, and it's engine is more aggressive as well. Honda says it has a more powerful V6, but one that also gets nearly 30 miles to the gallon. Wondering what the inside would look like? We can't really tell you because Honda has blacked out the windows. Across the away from Honda, Acura rolled out its own concept car in Detroit. The sleek two door runs on a V10, with super handling all wheel drive. You'll note, the low roof line, the high tail and the quad tail pipes. Mitsubishi rolled out their prototype X on pure performance, and added a hint at what the next Lancer evolution could be. It comes with 20 inch PBS wheels, a turbocharged two liter four-cylinder engine and has recurrent racing seats inside as well. It comes with a sequential manual transmission and has pedal shifters on the steering wheel. One of the concepts getting the most buzz at Detroit is Chevy's volt. It's an all electric concept and it's years away from happening, but if it works, you'll be able to plug it into a standard outlet at your home overnight and let it charge. There's so much buzz about the volt in fact, that we've devoted an entire video to it. Catch it and other videos at cars.com