Seven Concept Cars You Wish You Could Own

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Measuring 8.8 ft. long and 5.1 ft. across, the Smart car was built for city driving. “The real focus of the design and the size of the car is to answer the problem of urban congestion and city driving," says Communications Director, Ken Kettenbeil, “The Smart’s size and maneuverability gives it an advantage when navigating sticky driving situations." The dilemma of finding parking is also a thing of the past since two Smart cars easily fit in the average parking space. Its size also plays a part when it comes to fuel economy. While hybrid cars tend to have slightly better gas mileage, the gas powered engine Smart car is the highest rated gas engine with 33 city and 41 highway miles.

Coolest Feature: This has to be the Smart Fortwo's customization capabilities. Swatch inventor Nicolas Hayek, wanted to bring the same color, fun, and changeability found in his timepieces to a car. With that in mind, all of the exterior colored panels on the Smart car are changeable. Panels come in six colors and are relatively inexpensive, selling for approximately $1000. The interior also features a variety of colors. Another cool feature can be found in the transmission. It’s an automated manual, which means you can switch between automatic and manual.

Demographic: The Smart Fortwo has universal appeal. With its low price tag, the Smart car's destined to appeal to first-time buyers like college students and recent grads. Its unique look will likely attract trendsetters who are always on the search for the next cool thing.

Expected Pricing: $11,590

Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept

The Concept: As electric cars continue to gain popularity in the States, Chrysler aims to stay ahead of the pack with its ecoVoyager concept car. Designed for a trip that's on par with a private jet, the car reaches a top speed of 150 mph, going from 0 to 60 in 8.8 seconds, and with a driving range of 300 mpg.

Principal Exterior Designer, Greg Howell, combines luxury and innovative design in an attempt to look ten years into the future. The ecoVoyager’s one box design scheme is simplistic yet bold. Sporting a panoramic glass roof and doors that open at a generous 90 degrees, the ecoVoyager is a testament to the beauty and elegance synonymous with the Chrysler brand. In an attempt to bring more Chrysler cues to the car, the windows, front grille, taillamps, and headlamps are modeled after the trademark Chrysler logo. The interior of the car is just as impressive as its exterior, featuring four individual chairs capable of heat and massage, and the Direct Sound function, which allows all users to hear the music of their choice sans headphones, without disturbing other passengers.

Coolest Feature: Besides its polar ice paint job, the coolest feature on the ecoVoyager is its electric motor. Capable of developing 200 kilowatts or 268 horsepower, the ecoVoyager can go from 0 to 60 in less than 8 seconds. The ecoVoyager also has a range extender in the form of an advanced hydrogen fuel cell that increases the car’s range to more than 300 miles. The braking system also captures energy that would be lost, returning it to the battery. Together with its low emissions (water vapor), this makes the vehicle a boon for design conscious environmentalists.

Demographic: As a luxury vehicle, the ecoVoyager might be out of range for the average car buyer. Described by design director Lance Wagner as a "mature vehicle,” expect to see young at heart baby-boomers and the financially well off behind the wheel of this stunner.

Expected Pricing: Undetermined

Dodge ZEO Concept

The Concept: Dodge, also looking to step into the electric car arena, introduces the 2008 Dodge ZEO (Zero Emissions Operation) concept. Inspired by the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, the ZEO is a four-passenger sport wagon with a touch of muscle car thrown in for good measure. With a top speed of 130 mph, the ZEO goes from 0 to 60 in less than six seconds, enough to please any performance fanatic. “It breaks the stereotype of what a small, efficient electric car can be,” says Wagner. “It shows how much personality and style these kinds of cars can have.”

The ZEO interior is just as innovative. Designed to give the impression of being a “single piece of sculpture,” the inside is decked out in all white. The center console extends down from the windshield, giving the impression of being in a dual cockpit.

Coolest Feature: The ZEO’s best feature hands down can be found in its overall design. The roof and windshield combine into one continuous piece of glass, offering each passenger the best view. Its aluminum plated inserts, crosshair grille, and bold wheel arches give the ZEO its wow factor, while its front and rear suicide doors add extra flair.