Concept cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

By Staff writers and Derek Fung on 17 January 2008

Car makers showed off a huge number of concept cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The cars shown ranged from vehicles that are ready for production to more speculative designs.

Image 1 - Concept cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Audi R8 V12 TDI concept
Audi didn't have to stretch to create this concept. It took its critically acclaimed R8 and replaced the petrol V8 engine with the V12 TDI engine used in its Le Mans-winning race car.

Audi seems to be testing the waters by showing this car off as a concept, but judging from the reception, it will go into production.

Prev Next

E-mail this
Print this
Share this...
- del.icio.us
- digg this
- Reddit
- Slashdot
- StumbleUpon

Join CNET.com.au Free newsletters, post to forums and win prizes. Join now - it's free and easy!

Related links

Photos: Ford Explorer America Concept

In Detroit, Ford displayed its Explorer America concept car, pointing the way to a slightly cleaner, greener future for one of America's biggest selling cars.
Photos: 2008 New York Auto Show concept cars

Spring isn't quite in full swing yet in New York, but the concept cars on display at the recent auto show did provide some warmth.
Photos: Concept cars at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show

Hometown heroes Holden and Ford may have been the headline act at this year's Melbourne Motor Show, but there were also plenty of concept cars on display.
Everything from the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show

Although some luxury car makers gave this year's show a skip there was plenty on hand to both interest and amaze show-goers.

User comments
Leave a comment

Be the first to comment on this article!

Leave a comment

Latest car tech articles
Popular

The long wait begins: Audi's race-ready R8 GT3

The moment Audi toyed with pilfering Lamborghini's parts bin to make its Porsche-baiting R8, it was inevitable that a racing version would be built.
Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport: top-less at 350km/h

The world's fastest road car, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, just lost its head. The new Grand Sport convertible features lots of new features, including a soft-top deployed via the aid of an umbrella-style mechanism.
Lotus tackles Antarctica

Lotus is known for making small, fast cars with Toyota engines, but the company's engineering department gets into all sorts of projects, with the Concept Ice Vehicle (CIV) being one of the more novel.
Electronic flags to debut in Singapore F1 night race

Despite the bright lighting, traditional coloured warning flags will be hard to see at Singapore's F1 night race. So technology has come to the rescue.
Kia shows its Soul in London

Hitherto Kia has been a purveyor of cheap and cheerful conveyances, but with its forthcoming Soul there'll be a dash of flair on the menu too.
Lotus Omnivore runs on a variety of fuels

Lotus Engineering, the automotive consultancy division of Lotus, is back in the news again, this time with a new engine concept, called the Omnivore, which can run on a variety of fuel types.
Lightning GT: a good looking, fast electric car

Electric cars can be frumpy, soul-less looking conveyances. The Lightning GT aims to be different, it mixes sexy and electric together in automotive form.
Future Nissans to steer drivers out of trouble

Future Nissans may stop you changing lanes if there's a car in your blind spot.
Electric cars at the 2008 London Motor Show

It's early days in the electric car revival but, as Brian Cooley discovers, there are already a few production vehicles on sale in Europe.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport: top-less at 350km/h

The world's fastest road car, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, just lost its head. The new Grand Sport convertible features lots of new features, including a soft-top deployed via the aid of an umbrella-style mechanism.
Photos: CNET.com.au at Melbourne's F1 Grand Prix

A Formula 1 weekend in Melbourne is all about cars and racing. And while our seats weren't perfect for capturing race action, we did manage to snap lots of interesting metal.
Photos: Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI

We like VW's Golf GT Sport TSI a lot. We pick at its nits and study its bits, including its Twincharger engine.
New Golf ditches automatic transmissions

After having images of the 2009 Golf Mk VI leak to the internet ahead of the official Wednesday reveal, Volkswagen has gone ahead and released the details surrounding the new Golf, which will launch in Europe in October.
Ghastly green Ferrari

The trend amongst automakers to go green has engulfed Ferrari with its F430, adorned with Bio Fuel stickers on the bonnet and doors, on display at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
The car that parks itself

If you're the type of person who gets cold sweats at the thought of reverse parking, then Lexus has the car for you. A snip at a mere AU$186k.
Uni students get stuck in traffic for Nokia

It's not often that you get people volunteering to get stuck in traffic. However, that's exactly what happened last week in Northern California.
Tesla Roadster to be a one-speed car

The engineers at Tesla Motors have designed a new single-speed transmission for its electric sports car that will let it hit the promised 0-60mph (0-98km/h) in four seconds.
Mitsubishi to stop Australian car production

Mitsubishi Motors Australia has announced that it will be shuttering its Adelaide factory at the end of March. The company will, however, continue to import cars.

Product finder

The Explain Series

Telstra Explains ADSL2+

Latest reviews
Popular
Editors' choice

Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI (Golf V, 2007)

The GT Sport TSI shape-shifts easily between a relaxed cruiser and inconspicuous hot-hatch, and the 1.4-litre Twincharger engine is an engineering marvel. But the GTI is just five grand more. Decisions, decisions.
Jeep Cherokee Sport diesel (2008)

Built for serious off-roading, not just dashing up the gravel track to your favourite vineyard, the Cherokee demands too many compromises to be a city-bound family hauler.
Toyota Tarago GLi (2006)

A people mover that transports all manner of cargo with ease. Pity that it's so pricey and that many of the valuable safety features are optional extras.
Nissan GT-R (R35)

The R35 Nissan GT-R is a technical tour de force, with evidence of brilliance throughout. Hopefully not too many of its tech goodies are chucked overboard by the time it finally goes on sale in Australia in 2009.
Smart ForTwo cabrio (2008)

Its two-seat configuration limits its appeal to just a few. That's a shame because Australia's cheapest convertible is loveable, unique and deserving of a wider audience.

More reviews »

Lightning GT

Electric cars can be frumpy, soul-less looking conveyances. The Lightning GT aims to be different, it mixes sexy and electric together in automotive form.
Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI (Golf V, 2007)

The GT Sport TSI shape-shifts easily between a relaxed cruiser and inconspicuous hot-hatch, and the 1.4-litre Twincharger engine is an engineering marvel. But the GTI is just five grand more. Decisions, decisions.
Volkswagen Golf GT Sport TSI

The GT Sport TSI shape-shifts easily between a relaxed cruiser and inconspicuous hot-hatch, and the 1.4-litre Twincharger engine is an engineering marvel. But the GTI is just five grand more. Decisions, decisions.
Electric cars at the 2008 London Motor Show

It's early days in the electric car revival but, as Brian Cooley discovers, there are already a few production vehicles on sale in Europe.
Nissan GT-R (R35)

The R35 Nissan GT-R is a technical tour de force, with evidence of brilliance throughout. Hopefully not too many of its tech goodies are chucked overboard by the time it finally goes on sale in Australia in 2009.

More popular reviews »

No articles available

More editors' choice »

Membership benefits

Create wishlists

See a product on CNET.com.au that you want? Add it to your wishlist and send a hint to your friends and family. Sign up for a free CNET.com.au membership now!

Concept cars at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Photos: Ford Explorer America Concept

Photos: 2008 New York Auto Show concept cars

Photos: Concept cars at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show

Everything from the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show