Concept Cars

Last month, students from the Solar Team at TU Eindhoven announced plans to roll from the Netherlands to southern Spain in a solar-powered campervan. After a shaky start, the Stella Vita arrived in Tarifa on Friday afternoon.

Overland builds from automakers tend to have an exterior focus, with mandatory 2-in suspension lifts, AT tires and, of course, obligatory X-Games jewelry. With the Expedition Off-Grid, Ford opens the doors and makes its large SUV a light camper van.

Chinese auto giant SAIC has let its design team stretch out on an ultra-futuristic EV project. The tilting R RYZR has outrageous design touches throughout, including hubless front wheels, swappable steering, and two seats that require serious faith.

Given that the currently available BMW i8 and i3 are already fairly futuristic cars, one might wonder what form a Bimmer made 19 years from now would take. The German automaker is exploring that question, with its BMW i Vision Circular concept.

Something like a Triumph Spitfire for our eco-obsessed times, the Aura concept debuts with a roof- and window-free bio-composite shell, electric powertrain and efficiency-optimizing HMI that help it deliver 400 miles of quick, sharp Sunday driving.

The Solar Team Eindhoven has built a number of super-efficient, solar-powered vehicles over the years, and has now raised the roof on its latest design. The Stella Vita will hit the road later this month for a 3,000-kilometer trip through Europe.

Volkswagen previews an entry-level compact electric hatchback with the all-new ID. Life. The concept car has modernized-classic hatchback proportions, a digitized stare, an electric front-wheel drive and a targeted price tag as low as $24,000.

Mercedes-Benz takes hands-free control to the next level at IAA Mobility 2021. Its scaly Vision AVTR looks as likely to eat its driver as obey, but with a new brain-computer interface, it becomes an extension of the driver's mind and body.

Smart has unveiled a sweet-looking "near production" preview of its next-gen electric urban cars. The Concept #1 is a compact crossover SUV with a super-slick interior and easy-access suicide doors in back – and it's huge ... for a Smart car, anyway.

Everyone's favorite small block of flats on wheels will be going battery-electric. Mercedes-Benz has released a new Concept EQG, a "near-production study" on what an electric G-Wagen will look like, without losing its off-road capabilities.

Inspired by the world of private jets and first class cabins, Audi's new Grandsphere concept shows just how large vehicle passengers will live in the world of self-driving electric premium sedans. It's a flagship of "progressive luxury."

Instead of adding the usual one-off show car excess, Mini and designer Paul Smith strip it away in creating the all-electric Cooper Strip. Bare metal, visible screws and recycled trim give the car sustainable underpinnings and a unique look.