Article: Auto Makers Exhibit Concept Cars at Detroit, Los Angeles Shows. (Originated from San Jose Mercury News, Calif.)

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Jan. 27--With concept cars, automobile designers put engines and wheels on crystal balls. They attempt to define the future of driving by merging cutting-edge styling with the use of coming materials, technologies and amenities.

Concept cars are as disparate as the car companies that build them. It only took Pontiac designers three months to take their Sunfire speedster from a clay model to a ready-to-show machine. Audi's all-aluminum ASF, meanwhile, represents 10 years of work between the German automaker and Alcoa.

"Chrysler's concept vehicles always begin with a flash of inspiration," said Tom Gale, Chrysler's design chief. "That when's ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!