Kia's Track'ster concept.

Remember when you were a child, and you wanted a particular gift for Christmas, or a birthday? Remember how you promised to clean your room, wash dad’s car, brush your teeth, eat your vegetables and even be nice to your sister? That’s kind of how we are with Kia’s Chicago stunner, the Track’ster concept. Just tell us what we have to do in order for you to put this into production, and consider it done.

Loosely based on the pedestrian Kia Soul, the Track’ster concept loses two doors, gets a five-inch wider track and a stretched wheelbase. Power comes from Kia’s 2.0-liter turbo four, which puts out 250 horsepower in Track’ster trim, and gets mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Power goes to all four wheels, and the Brembo brakes are the very definition of “overkill.” Up front, six-pot calipers grab 14 inch rotors, while the rear gets four-piston calipers and 13.6 inch rotors.

Kia has no plans to put the Track’ster into production, but quite frankly we’re not listening. We know it would be a limited-appeal vehicle, and would have to sell at a ridiculous sticker price, but that doesn’t matter because we still want one. The Track’ster is in the same spirit as cars like the Renault R5 Turbo2, the Ford Fiesta SHOgun and even the Smartbusa. It’s been a long time since anyone has built something this crazy, and we can’t think of a better way for Kia to step up its reputation among enthusiast drivers.

Build the Track’ster, and the buyers will come.

Audi's Q3 Vail concept. Image: Audi

Announcements regarding compact crossovers tend to fill us with as much excitement as announcements about new vegetarian restaurants (since we’re confirmed meatatarians). When we first heard that Audi would show a custom version of its upcoming Q3 crossover in Detroit, we’ll admit that our eyelids got a bit heavy. After all, how exciting could a compact grocery-getter be?

Plenty exciting, as it turns out, especially when said grocery-getter packs 314 horsepower and quattro all-wheel-drive into one tastefully styled package. We won’t bore you with Audi’s pages of details on styling elements, but we’ll sum it up by saying that the Q3 Vail looks both aggressive and refined at the same time. We like the Energy Red paint, which contrasts well with the matte gray and aluminum trim, and think the Q3 Vail is a stunner from any angle.

Audi's Q3 Vail concept. Image: Audi

There’s some impressive attention to detail in the Vail as well. The roof rack uses LED lighting to illuminate the sides of the car when loading passengers or cargo. In the bed, a heated trunk mat folds out to cover the bumper, assuring that you’ll always have a warm place to sit. There’s an inductive charing station for things like flashlights, and a heated Thermos bottle ensures that hypothermia isn’t a concern.

Audi's Q3 Vail concept. Image: Audi

Under the hood is Audi’s 2.5-liter turbocharged TFSI engine, good for 314 horsepower and mated to a seven speed S tronic transmission. Ensuring that the power gets to the ground is the job of the quattro AWD system, and Audi claims that the Q3 Vail can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.5 seconds, before topping out at nearly 163 mph.

Audi's Q3 Vail concept. Image: Audi

There’s no word if Audi will build the Vail, but the Q3 crossover will hit U.S. Audi dealers this spring. There’s no word on what engines will be available, but we certainly hope Audi includes the drivetrain from the Vail concept as an available option.

Acura's ILX concept. Image: Honda America Motors

Since the demise of the Acura RSX, the brand’s entry-level car has been the TSX sedan. Based on the Honda Accord (first the Euro Accord, now the American Accord), the TSX was relatively affordable in base trim, but quickly got expensive if you opted for the V6 and the Technology Package. At around $30k, the TSX wasn’t a bad daily driver, as long as you weren’t expecting much from its 2.4-liter, four cylinder engine. At nearly $40k optioned out, there were plenty of better choices to pick in the near-luxury, sporty sedan segment.

Acura desperately needs to attract new buyers to the brand, so it’s rolled out the Civic-based ILX sedan concept at this week’s Detroit Auto Show. New to the U.S., a Civic based Acura has been sold in Canada for years, and has proven popular in the Northwest. The ILX is styled more along the lines of the current TL and TSX than its Canadian cousin, which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending upon your perspective.

The ILX is aimed at “first time luxury buyers” who “place the highest value on exterior styling, affordability and environmental issues,” according to Jon Ikeda, head of the Acura Design Studio. While shown in concept form in Detroit, the ILX will be put into production (in Greensburg, Indiana) later this year.

Plans call for an entry-level model (with Honda’s 2.0-liter four), a high-performance model (with the 2.4-liter four from the TSX) and a hybrid variant fitted with Honda’s 1.5-liter gasoline-electric drivetrain. As with all Acura models, expect the ILX to come in a well-equipped base model, with a Tech Package variant a likely option. We’ll let you know when Honda announces pricing and availability details.

As for the future of the TSX, Honda hasn’t made any announcements regarding the car’s fate.

The original conception of SUV’s came in the form of a truck-based platform. Lately, many SUV’s have taken a different direction incorporating a car-based unibody design. For upwards of 27 years the Nissan Pathfinder has been in existence first as a boxy body-on-frame design later going the way of a unibody structure and then for its last 7 years of existence, took on its original truck-based architectural roots.

Now the all-new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder takes on a new face integrating the same underpinnings as the upcoming Infiniti JX. Built on a new unibody platform, the new Nissan Pathfinder will be lighter, stronger, and sportier than all previous conceptions. Still in “concept” form, the 2013 Nissan Pathrinder touts Nissan’s famed VQ-series V6 engine mated to their latest version of their CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Together, the new powertrain will yield a 25% improvement in fuel economy. Moreover, the new Pathfinder will feature an innovative 7-passenger seating configuration.

Hit up the official press release from the North American International Auto Show below for additional information while the new Pathfinder is still in concept form.

Nissan Pathfinder Concept Meets Changing Customer Needs for Enhanced Style, Comfort and Fuel Economy

– Pathfinder Concept Previews Innovative 4th Generation Design’s Fresh New Styling, Full-Size Roominess; Makes World Debut at North American International Auto Show –

In 1986, when the Nissan Pathfinder first appeared, it quickly revolutionized the sport utility vehicle segment. Offering previously unavailable features such as ample cargo room and a comfortable on-road ride, along with authentic off-road adventure performance, it immediately set a new standard in the emerging SUV class. Now 27 years and 1.2 million-plus Pathfinder sales later, a new dimension is about to be added to the popular nameplate with highly evolved, aerodynamic styling – previewed in the stylish Nissan Pathfinder Concept.

“If there is one constant among the first quarter century-plus of Pathfinder’s existence, it has been its ability to innovate, with each generation evolving to meet the changing needs of the customer,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “With the upcoming, fourth-generation model, we’re about to re-invent Pathfinder again. We’ve created a vehicle with an extraordinary balance of SUV capability, thoughtful technology and premium comfort to lead the segment once again – and help owners accomplish more in the real world, not just off-road.”

One of the biggest changes to the upcoming Pathfinder design is the return to a unibody platform (also utilized on the second generation Pathfinder), which offers numerous benefits including enhanced interior packaging flexibility. This, in turn, provides an opportunity to create a more aerodynamic exterior without compromising headroom or cargo capacity. One constant through the previous generations of Pathfinder, and that continues into the new design, is its strong presence.

Moving upscale in look, the new exterior styling presents a smart fusion of signature Nissan styling cues and dynamic strength. The look is adventure-ready with wheel-oriented muscular fenders and a strong, stable stance. The upper body features an open cabin with a low beltline and thin A- and D-pillars, which flow smoothly into the rugged, durable-looking lower body. The new Pathfinder utilizes front and rear spoilers, rear tire deflectors and rear suspension fairings to help achieve what is expected to be among the best aerodynamic performance in the segment.

Other exterior details include a wide chrome grille and large aerodynamic headlights, recessed front windshield wipers, chrome door handles and large rear combination lights. A panoramic dual-panel moonroof, with sliding opening front panel and fixed rear glass panel, combines with the large windows to create an open, airy interior environment.

The Pathfinder Concept provides full-size cabin roominess inside, yet with a highly manageable exterior size. In one other important measurement, the next-gen Pathfinder is expected to weigh substantially less than the previous body-on-frame design, which helps contribute to the enhanced fuel economy performance.

“With its new, aerodynamically optimized shape, the styling is a major step forward in the evolution of the SUV – retaining its people and cargo hauling utility without looking quite so utilitarian,” said Castignetti. “It’s fitting that a vehicle that tackles adventures in a whole new way also now completely looks the part.”

Details on the Pathfinder Concept’s all-new 3-row, 7-passenger interior, featuring an array of innovative seating, comfort, entertainment and convenience features, will be released in the near future.

Addressing buyers’ desire for more efficiency in every aspect of their lives, the Pathfinder powertrain utilizes a refined V6 engine mated to a next-generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to provide an expected 25 percent increase in combined City/Highway fuel economy (over the previous V6-equipped design). The Pathfinder Concept also features an intuitive four-wheel drive system and a towing capacity comparable to the leaders in the segment.

“With the new engine and CVT combination’s unprecedented efficiency, it maintains nearly the same horsepower as the previous generation’s larger displacement V6, as well as a similar driving feel,” said Castignetti. “It also retains its ability to tow boats, jet skis, trailers and a variety of other recreational gear, and its role as an excellent vehicle for unfavorable driving conditions with four-wheel drive.”

The next-gen Nissan Pathfinder, based on the Pathfinder Concept design, is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in fall 2012.

“The new Pathfinder carries on the tradition of the adventure-ready vehicles that have come before – offering a new level of family enjoyment and engagement that is just right for today’s real-world, everyday uses,” concluded Castignetti. “After more than 25 years, Pathfinder is ready to tackle new terrain and the new challenges of modern family lives.”

[source: Nissan]

I happen to have a guilty pleasure in the design and look of recent Lexus vehicles, even the new CT200h hybrid. The new Lexus LF-A happens to be one of my favorite designs for a supercar especially coming from a Japanese automaker. Another stunning design in my eye happens to be the new Lexus LF-LC Sports Car Concept, which Lexus has released new official images for just before its debut at this month’s Detroit Auto Show (North American International Auto Show).

The Lexus LF-LC was already revealed to us from Lexus’ rendered photos just after we were teased with what we thought could be a replacement for the outgoing Lexus SC sports coupe. The new Lexus LF-LC embodies a 2+2 sports coupe design featuring Lexus’ L-Finesse conception. The LF-LC was designed at the company’s Calty studio in Newport Beach, California, where designers are open to combine futuristic organic design concepts with advanced technology. The same studio has designed many recent Toyota and Lexus vehicles including the Lexus CT200h (LF-Ch).

Additional information on the new Lexus LF-LC concept will be revealed during the Detroit Auto Show to confirm if this new beauty will truly be a new Lexus SC replacement. Hopefully Lexus will put something serious under the hood for us enthusiast so we will have an “affordable” alternative to the LF-A.

Why yes, that is a big-block Corvette... Image: RNickeymouse

Southern California is the center of the collector / exotic car universe, and nowhere is that more evident than the canyons of Mulholland Highway, near Malibu, California. YouTube poster RNickeymouse makes a living by filming motorcycle riders in some of the better corners, then selling them the footage and stills. Occasionally, he captures a few cars worth noting, too, like the ones in the video below.

If you’ve got a keen eye, you’ll spot Jay Leno (twice, in fact), and the list of cars captured is pretty impressive. There’s a Ferrari 599 GTO, a McLaren MP4-12C, a prototype Audi eTron Spyder, a few Ariel Atoms, a Caterham 7, a Bugatti Type 57 SC and even what looks to be an original Shelby Cobra. If idiots crossing double-yellow lines mid-corner raise your blood pressure, there’s some sweet justice in the middle of the video, too.

The upcoming North American Auto Show in Detroit is sure to be a big hit showcasing some of the most anticipated vehicles for the upcoming model years. One concept that we are eager to see is the recently announced and teased Lexus LF-LC Concept. Road & Track was the first to give everyone a look at the new Lexus LF-LC concept in its full-form. Just after Road & Tracks reveal, Lexus drops an official image of the LF-LC Concept.

We are still not sure where the new Lexus LF-LC Concept would be positioned “if” it makes its way to production. Quite possibly it could be a new Lexus LS-based coupe that will rival the BMW 6 Series and Benz SL class. Either way, what we see here is very intriguing to say the least.

Lexus LF-LC Press Release

Lexus to Unveil Sport Coupe Concept Vehicle at North American International Auto Show in Detroit

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2011 – Taking the new Lexus design direction one step further, the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupe will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at 1:25 p.m. Eastern time on January 9, 2012.

“Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.”

Conceived as a design exercise to explore the future of Lexus design, the LF-LC was created at the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif.

Lexus' newest concept, to be revealed at January's Detrroit Auto Show

We’ve all heard the joke that Lexus, translated into Japanese, actually means “Buick.” While cars like the IS-F are surprisingly quick and agile, the brand is still associated more with luxury and comfort than with performance. Even the unattainable LFA has done little to give Lexus credibility among enthusiasts, probably due to the car’s limited availability and stratospheric price. Sure it’s fast, luxurious and high-tech, but is it really worth over four times the price of a Nissan GT-R?

Lexus knows it has an identity crisis, and the Japanese luxury brand is working hard to inject more sport into its product line. Take the image seen above, which Lexus has released as a teaser of a new “concept vehicle” to be shown at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. There are zero details known about the concept, aside from the fact that it represents the “new design direction” for Lexus. If that’s the case, we say good for Lexus; while conservative styling may have brand loyalists returning to showrooms, it isn’t drawing in many new buyers.

Expect more teaser images from Lexus in the coming weeks, and we’ll be sure to give you the details on its new concept as soon as we hear them.