Concept cars are as close as the auto industry gets to haute couture. Design and engineering teams - the same ones that churn out sensible sedans like pantsuits - build these prototypes with an eye toward starting vehicle trends, showcasing R&D efforts, and in some cases, introducing features already on the way to dealers’ lots. What’s big this season? British mod, Japanese pop futurism, pet care, and hospitality. It’s enough to make you forget that the boring four-door you’ve got parked outside was once someone’s big idea. - Michael Spinelli
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: Bionic
Road readiness: 
Features: By emulating the contours of a boxfish (seriously), engineers achieved a wind-drag coefficient of 0.19 - less than that of the Honda Insight, which at 0.25 is the most aerodynamic car in mass production.
How we’d sell it: "Go fish."
Make: Toyota
Model: Fine-X
Road readiness: 
Features: Each wheel has an electric motor for independent control (think parallel parking in one crablike motion). Interior parts are made from sugar cane and hemp plants for eco brownie points. Hydrogen-powered.
How we’d sell it: "Grow your own."
Make: Honda
Model: WOW
Road readiness:
Features: So long, slobbery seat backs. This interior has air-conditioned compartments for canines. A wood-slat floor is kind to sensitive paws. A bone-shaped dispenser holds bags to use for picking up Rover’s, um, droppings.
How we’d sell it: "Sit, Ubu, Sit."
Make: GMC
Model: PAD
Road readiness: 
Features: Propelled by a diesel-electric hybrid system. Holds enough water and fuel for months of mobile living. An outdoor SkyDeck is fitted with photoévoltaic cells to recharge the battery. Built-in satellite TV and Wi-Fi.
How we’d sell it: "Why rent when you can own?"
Make: Peugeot
Model: Moovie
Road readiness: 
Features: Loses all traditional auto constructs. Rear tires rotate independently - like a wheelchair’s - for swiveling 360-degree turns. Glass body pretty much ensures rejection by the Department of Transportation.
How we’d sell it: "See and be seen."
Make: Mini
Model: Mini Traveller
Road readiness: 
Features: Comes with bags of Earl Grey and a removable tea table on the roof. Introduces Mini’s update of its ’60s stretch-bodied model, which could be poised for a-comeback.
How we’d sell it: "A spot of tea, constable?"
Make: Smart
Model: Crosstown
Road readiness:
Features: A 61-horsepower gas engine and 23-kilowatt electric motor coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission demonstrates that carmakers can do more with less.
How we’d sell it: "Send in the clowns - or the kids."
Make: Volkswagen
Model: EcoRacer
Road readiness:
Features: Uses an eco-friendly diesel engine that’s not quite ready for prime time. A carbon-fiber body drops the car’s weight to 1,873 pounds (35 percent less than the Toyota Prius). Reconfigurable roof and windshield.
How we’d sell it: "Sustainability at any speed."
Mercedes-Benz Bionic
Toyota Fine-X
Honda WOW
GMC PAD
Peugeot Moovie
Mini Traveller
Smart Crosstown
Volkswagen EcoRacer
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The Cars of Tomorrow
