These initial images give us a clear indication of how future MINIs will be styled, and if BMW’s reputation for making only a few revisions from concept to production hold true, this is very close to the finished product.

Measuring about six inches wider and taller than the Clubman, the Crossover Concept features a five-door body style, but that’s where the similarities end. The right rear door has a conventional hinge, but the left door slides out and back, minivan-style. The rear hatch ditches the Clubman’s dual doors and is instead fitted with a single panel that opens to the right. Sources suggest that the concept’s door arrangement might be nixed in favor of something more traditional when it reaches production.

Power specifications and exact trim levels have yet to be revealed, but expect the Crossover to carry the same naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines as its Cooper counterparts, BMW’s Efficient Dynamics system (with start-stop tech) and naturally, all-wheel-drive.

It’s likely that the Crossover won’t be spending much time off road, but with a higher ride height, more space, a comfy interior and MINI’s iconic styling, we’re sure we’ll see several on the highways and byways both here and abroad.

Continued

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With their scopes aimed squarely at the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW’s M performance division is rumored to be working on their own four-door luxury GT for a 2010 launch. With its styling based heavily on the BMW Concept CS (pictured above), the platform for the new flagship will be shared with the new 7 Series. Under the hood, most expect to see a 6.0-liter V12 based on the current M5’s V10, or a twin-turbocharged V8 like the one rumored for the next-gen M5. Even though both of those engines promise prodigious amounts of power, and the lightened chassis will be tuned for performance, BMW insists the new car will not be badged an M8. Regardless, we seem to recall that the lack of an M badge on the mid-90’s BMW 850CSi didn’t seem to deter enthusiasts

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Someone slipped Jalopnik a new pair of shots of the mysterious Corvette concept that’s appearing in next year’s Transformers sequel. So far, we’ve seen good views of the car from the front and side, but rear-end shots had yet to surface. Well, that’s over. The concept — now a confirmed product of the GM Design studios (note the plate in back), has large ducts in back that mimic the openings in front and presumably also hide the car’s taillamps. Four big centrally-mounted exhaust outlets poke through the bodywork as well. Frankly, the rear view is the car’s least appealing, with that chunky boattail mixed in with all those sharp angles. There’s also a new detail shot of the front quarter, which focuses on that very traditional Corvette fender shape. Is it just a movie character or also a concept that GM’s going to drop on us somewhere along the line? Your guess is as good as ours, and the trickle of spy shots is probably far from over.

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Yes, we know the Plymouth brand went extinct a few years ago, and Mopar Enthusiast magazine obviously knows that as well, but that didn’t stop them from taking part in some wishful thinking. Their August/September issue features their vision of a 2010 Plymouth Road Runner concept car that takes styling cues from the ‘71-’72 model years. Features include 21-inch front and 22-inch rear magnesium 5-spoke wheels, LED taillights, and 14-inch Brembo brakes. Under the hood is HEMI power, with the 5.7L V8 coming as standard, and 6.1L and 7.0L available as options mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. While we doubt the Plymouth brand will be making a comeback just to resurrect the Road Runner name, we could definitely see another 2-door LX car with Chrysler badging

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There are many hot opinions floating around at the moment about the Scion Hako concept car and must say I am going to squash those who thinks it is ugly, come on people you have got to be on another planet because this car is class. Ok I need not bang on about the Scion Hako concept car because it will never go into production now will it.Are you one of those people who thinks the Scion Hako concept car is aesthetically appealing or aesthetically a balls-up? In the automobile world we love our car, it is part of our lives and yes we do care about the looks, the design, features, gizmos etc and this one has it all. This car is in a class of its own, and you have to admit you have not seen any other car like this one. This car does not sit on either side of the good looking fence nor the ugly fence, you either love it or hate it and it is as simple as that in my eyes, and my eyes say it is stunning. The Scion Hako concept car was released at the New York Auto Show back in March 2008 and there are two noticeable things that stand out, and that is the design and the in your face color which is bright orange.

I have an idea where this car can become so famous, can you imagine seeing this car in a Disney Pixar movie, like the movie “Cars”. It is also called the Hako Coupe because of its coupe design, by the way. The windows on this car give you a 360 angle view on the car when you are on the inside, well this is what it looks like from the outside, and the Scion Hako’s headlights are in stunning LED which is a big plus for driving at night. LED lights provide great virtually natural light that is better for seeing than the conventional and standard headlights that have an ugly yellow tint to it. The Hako’s headlights seem to be very wide which makes it even better than most standard cars. My judgement on the Scion Hako concept car is that it looks futuristic but yet modern and I would indeed purchase one because I really do like the look of them, plus I would get one just to annoy the hell out of those that hate it.

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Whilst under the DaimlerChrysler Corporation the Dodge Charger was rescued from obscurity and relaunched with a brand new model in 2006 following its debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Sales figures have so far proved to be positive but there have been lingering rumours circling the internet that it could well be axed as it competes with Crysler’s other full-size vegicle – the 300. If the boffins at the Pentastar do decide to continue with the Charger, development should be well under way for an all new model for launch possibly in 2012 or 2013.

As a helping hand for the next generation model we present a series of renderings of the 2010 Dodge Charger Concept – the brain child of artist/designer/illustrator Michael Leonhard.

“The Dodge Charger is a muscle car legend. The sound of the 1968-1970 Charger was my starting point to rebirth/redesign the legendary Dodge Charger for 2010. A bad-ass two-door Coupe that pays Homage to the days using the design characteristics and styling cues from the original with a touch of 21st century refreshment. Modern and futuristic incorporating today’s styling and design standards. The result is a car that could rule the road like Darth Vader rules outer space.” commented Leonard.

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Mercedes-Benz is giving second life to the former Chrysler Pacifica Advance Design Center and plans to purchase the building in Carlsbad, California. The companies have entered a contract for the sale of the building though it hasn’t closed yet. Terms weren’t disclosed, but the nearly 35,000-square-foot building listed for $7.3 million. Spokespersons for each company confirmed the pending sale. Chrysler closed the site earlier this year as part of a plan to streamline operations. The 20-person Pacifica design team has relocated or left the company.  Mercedes’ plans for its existing studio, 51 miles to north in Irvine, California, are unclear. It opened in 1990 and employs about 18 people, according to company materials. However, it measures about 13,000 square feet–less than half of the size of the Chrysler property.

The West Coast has been a hotbed of design for both automakers.

The Chrysler Pacifica studio opened in 1983 and spawned the Dodge Challenger concept in 2006. It also was responsible for the concepts that led to production versions of the Dodge Intrepid, Plymouth Prowler and Jeep Compass, as well as a number of influential concepts that were not produced, including the Chrysler Millennium and Chrysler Atlantic.

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