Cadillac ELR – a posh Chevy Volt: 2013 Detroit Auto Show

The Cadillac ELR – a range extender Cadillac with the running gear from the Chevrolet Volt – has been revealed at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Joining the Chevrolet Volt and Vauxhall Ampera as the third version of GM’s range-extender pitch at the EV market, the two-door Cadillac ELR is a convincing looking offering with swoopy looks, wheels at the corners, a great big nose (that can close for better aerodynamics), dramatic LED headlights, steeply raked screen and lots of sharp creases. The interior of the ELR looks as appealing as the exterior, with lashings of decent leather, digital instruments, Bose sound with noise cancellation, carbon inserts and even powered cupholders.

Hyundai reveals i-oniq concept teaser

Hyundai has hinted at its future design direction with this single teaser shot of its ‘i-oniq’ concept car. Further details will be revealed in the run-up to next March's 2012 Geneva show, but judging by this glimpse, the concept will take the form of a large coupe with a hatchback tail. It stops short of the full shooting-brake silhouette, but there’s a hint of Brera in the curvature of its rear end. ‘Two strong arched curves define the silhouette of i-oniq, creating a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features’ says Thomas Bürkle, Hyundai’s European Chief Designer.

Rethinking Scion: Quirky goes mainstream so brand adapts with a sporty coupe, hip music

If Toyota's Scion youth brand had stuck to its original premise, the third generation of the boxy xB would be rolling into showrooms today. As envisioned by Toyota, Scion products would be quirky, uber-cool and not around long enough to get stale. Its first-edition products were replaced after just four years.