Concept Cars

Infiniti has revealed a new luxe SUV with the heart of a supercar and the underpinnings of a Nissan Patrol.It’s the 2026 Infiniti QX80 R-Spec, and it’s a one-off concept built for the 2025 SEMA Show, featuring aggressive design elements and the engine from a Nissan GT-R.It’s a more extreme follow-on from the 485kW QX80 Track Spec concept the brand showed off at Monterey Car Week, taking inspiration from the model that loaned the QX80 R-Spec its engine: the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition.The QX80 R-Spec features a hand-built GT-R R35 VR38 engine, the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 putting out as much as 1000hp (746kW) in the one-off SUV. The QX80 usually has a smaller and much less powerful 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, albeit still related to that of the GT-R.Infiniti says the high output was achieved through “custom turbochargers, intercoolers, exhaust manifolds and an upgraded fuel system”, while GT-R carbon ceramic brakes take care of brushing that speed off.A lower, wider body kit, custom coilover suspension and a set of huge 24-inch bronze wheels (wrapped in 315/35R24 Yokohama Parada Spec-X tyres) help give the QX80 that ‘Need for Speed: Underground 2’ look (remember trying to race a Hummer H2?), along with the pearlescent-like purple wrap that nods to the R34 GT-R’s iconic Midnight Purple.The QX80’s custom exhaust exits, rear diffuser, and other elements like its fog lights complete the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition-inspired looks.Infiniti didn’t detail the QX80 R-Spec’s interior, but we can assume it’s not been completely redone to mimic the inside of a GT-R.

It seems anyone can build a car these days.Japanese electronics company, Sharp, is the latest non-auto brand to dive into the car world with a new concept that will be on display at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show later this week.Dubbed LDK+, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a TV, but it's actually an electric people mover.It joins other newbies to the car industry such as China’s Xiaomi, which usually makes smartphones, and Sony of PlayStation fame.Sharp hasn’t developed the car all by itself but is using Foxconn’s electric vehicle platform. Foxconn is the manufacturing powerhouse that builds the iPhone for Apple.Sharp isn’t the only brand partnering with Foxconn. Even Mitsubishi has partnered with the manufacturer to build an EV.Foxconn, or Sharp, haven't detailed what motors or battery the platform handles, but we do know it is for compact cars measuring about 4300mm long or about the same size as a Toyota Corolla hatchback.It’ll also have a versatile modular interior layout that can be used for multiple applications.The LDK+ is a concept, so it has some whacky interior applications.When parked the vehicle can be used as a theatre room or a remote workspace. The driver’s and front passenger seats can swivel to face backwards, to act like a living room space.There is a screen folded above the rear seats that can be pulled down to enjoy movies or for online meetings.Sharp said the concept can sync with people’s home appliances - only Sharp branded of course. So if you want to start your air-con or washing machine from the car, you can.The vehicle will also have a vehicle-to-load function that can power appliances.

An exciting compact SUV is in the works.

Subaru to reveal performance duo in Tokyo

Hyundai's N division has been cooking up something special.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a flamboyant new design as part of its Vision Iconic series. The design intends to showcase the reimagining of the traditional grille that appeared on models from the 1920s and 1930s.Models included the W 108, W 111 and 600 Pullman, where the grille and three-pointed star on the bonnet distinguished the cars.The grille features a wide chromed frame and smoked-glass lattice structure, with a modern twist of integrated contour lighting to illuminate the grille and front-mounted star. This new design philosophy was brought to life by the all-electric GLC last month, which was revealed at the recent Munich motor show and will hit Australian showrooms later next year. The vintage-modern crossover continues inside the car, with metallic-style steering wheel and lounge-like seating, contrasting further futuristic illumination throughout the cabin. The design does not feature an obvious gear selector or litany of dials and instruments. Mercedes' bold new interior emphasises the carmaker’s focus on the evolving role for design inside the car, with automated driving getting closer to use.According to Mercedes, the Iconic Vision comes with a Level 2 automatic driving system that has point-to-point urban capabilities. This is a two steps below its Level 4 highly automated driving system that would allow the driver to take their hands off the wheel entirely. The sleek exterior of the concept car also speculates on the potential of solar power in the future. Mercedes-Benz is researching the application of solar modules to the bodywork of electric vehicles, similar to a wafer thin paste. It claims this would harness additional range from the sun, and in ideal conditions offer an extra 12,000km of range per year. The solar coating also contains no rare earth metals or silicon and is easily recyclable, according to Mercedes-Benz.As part of this technological overhaul, Mercedes has also speculated on the use of more advanced computing to increase energy efficiency exponentially. 

Dacia thinks it has cracked the code for what makes a car popular with its little Hipster EV concept, but that’s up to you.The Hipster EV is just a concept, but Dacia reckons the blocky little EV will appeal not just because of its cute looks, but due to its simplicity and affordability in the way cult classics such as the Citroen 2CV and Land Rover Defender.Speaking to British motoring publication Autocar, Dacia’s chief designer David Durand said popular people’s cars all have the same ingredients — basic design and a low price — and the Hipster will, too.“All those popular cars were super appreciated and they were not expensive,” Durand told Autocar.“They were super popular; you had a lot on the streets. So for us, it's an example that we should be able to reproduce this mindset, and in these situations, essentials become super cool.”And by essential Durand is referring to the very basics needed by modern standards in cars. In the case of the Hipster the vehicle has been stripped of what Dacia considers unnecessary in order to reduce weight and cost.Sliding glass windows have been used instead of power operated ones, exterior door handles are just fabric straps and inside there isn’t a large screen or media system — just a mount for your phone if you need sat nav or music — bluetooth speakers can be optioned. Other options include cupholders, armrests and there’s no key — just an app on your phone to lock and unlock the car and start it. Dacia’s Director of Product Performance Patrice Levy-Bentold told Autocar that companies need to consider the ‘less is more’ approach especially when it comes to electric vehicles. “We cannot continue with this 'always more' trend, which is why we have to propose a completely different approach, to disrupt again with the vision of what we should bring, and Hipster concept is exactly this," said Levy-Bentold."Let's just go back to the essentials: what do we really need on a daily basis?""In daily driving, you don't need a 1.5- or two-tonne car with an 80kWh battery capable of doing 0-100kph in four seconds. You don't need this.”Details of the Hipster’s battery capacity have yet to be announced, nor have many other technical specifications such as motors or output. We do know the dimensions which reveal the concept to be three metres long, 1.55m wide and 1.53m tall. We also know the Hipster is a four seater with a 70 litre boot but with the rear row folded opens up to 500 litres.Dacia is a Romanian car maker and part of the Renault-Nissan alliance. While Dacia as a brand isn’t available in Australia its models are rebadged as Renaults with the latest being the Duster SUV, which arrived here in July, 2025.

The Volkswagen Group’s long-awaited response to cheap electric vehicles (EVs) from China is shaping up to be one of next year’s most important global debutantes.

Hyundai has showcased its next big thing in electric cars at the 2026 Munich motor show.Dubbed the Concept Three, the show car previews the future Ioniq 3 small EV.The boldly styled concept brings some futuristic design with a heavy dose of Veloster, and could go on sale by 2026.It will be one of 21 global electric models for Hyundai due to enter production by 2030. Hyundai also plans to have an electrified version of every model on sale in Europe by 2027.The brand’s commitment to a new small electric car puts it in the fast lane to catch up to its sibling brand, Kia, which has so far been leading the roll out of electric cars.President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe Xavier Martinet said: “Concept Three represents the next step in Hyundai Motor’s electrification journey.”The Concept Three has a similar footprint to the Hyundai i30 hatchback measuring 4287mm long, 1940mm wide, 1428mm tall with a wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear axles — of 2722mm.That last figure reveals that despite its compact exterior dimensions it will have large car space inside.The radical-looking concept has the Ioniq range’s signature pixel headlights and adds some wild aerodynamic elements.Inside the Concept Three highlights the company’s commitment to increasing the use of sustainable materials. It said the concept uses ocean waste textiles and lightweight aluminium foam.It is understood the Ioniq 3 will be based on the same platform as the current Kia EV3 SUV.This means it is likely to use a similar set-up with a 58.3kWh unit and long-range 81.4kWh pack on offer. Power should come from a single electric motor that makes 150kW and 283Nm and drives the front wheels.It will use 400V charging architecture, which means DC fast charging is capped at about 135kW compared to 350kW in the more advanced — and expensive — 800V set-up used by the larger Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9.

The Chinese brands have well and truly infiltrated this year’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany, and one has unveiled a new concept to take on the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.