The concept cars at this year’s Australian International Motor Show say a lot about where motoring is headed. Innovative designs and a continuing interest in established fuel alternatives featured heavily, but there was a noticeable emphasis on ‘crossover vehicles’, with many of the concept cars being a combination of two different vehicle categories and able to perform more than one function.

Innovative car design

Lexus, market leaders in design and technology, unveiled the 600hL to Australian audiences at the Motor Show. The car has reclining rear seats with fold-out ottomans and is the first vehicle to have in-seat airbags. But the most impressive feature of the 600hL is its ability to self-park.

Pending real-world results, the 600hL may be the first in a long line of cars that will take the stress out of parking and make it as easy as pushing a button.

BMW’s Concept CS is billed as a design study, but BMW’s Managing Director guaranteed it is a clear indication of the manufacturer’s design philosophy of the future. The four door coupe has a wide and long body and sits quite low on the road, being both larger and lower than the 7 Series.

Hyundai are in the process of forging a new reputation as makers of stylish, European-influenced vehicles, doing away with their conservative designs. Their concept car, the Veloster, is a two door coupe aimed at first-time buyers and further emphasises Hyundai’s creative potential. The futuristic 2.0 L Veloster (an amalgamation of ‘velocity’ and ‘roadster’) goes in a “bold new direction” for Hyundai. A unique U-shaped glass roof and futuristic interior combine to make an ultra-modern-looking vehicle.

Crossover vehicles

BMW also unveiled the Concept X6, the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe. It’s a combination of coupe styling with the high-seating position and AWD from the X5, aimed at what they hope will be a new market segment.

Similarly, Kia’s Rondo is an Urban Recreational Vehicle aimed at what Kia call ‘transitionals’. These are people entering a new stage in their lives, particularly new, expecting or older couples, who don’t want to drive a big SUV but still want a high-seated, all-wheel drive vehicle. Part SUV, part MPV, part wagon and part hatch, the Rondo has good fuel efficiency and is flexible, while also having plenty of space. It is on sale next year.

Skoda, a new brand to Australia whose regional launch was at the Motor Show, unveiled their concept car, the Yeti. The compact SUV is a small, rectangular vehicle with unorthodox styling and is “the antithesis of a big, aggressive off-roader.” It’s aimed at those who want to use their vehicle to transport them, and their lifestyle accessories like scuba gear or mountain bikes, back to nature, as well traverse the urban terrain.

Alternative fuels

Also noticeable amongst this year’s concept cars was an emphasis on alternative, although established, fuels. The self-parking Lexus 600hl is a V8 hybrid and Mercedes-Benz unveiled their new 3.0 L V6 turbo-diesels, the C320 CDi (7.4 L/100 km) and the S320 CDi (8.8 L/100 km). Both these vehicles will be available next year and are an indication that Mercedes-Benz has a continuing interest in developing economical turbo-diesel variants.

So while it does seem like fuel alternatives are on manufacturers’ minds, none of the marquee cars were fuelled by innovative alternatives. Petrol, it seems, is with us to stay – for a while longer, at least.

What do you want to see in the cars of the near-future?