Photos: Concepts ready to go

Chevrolet showed off its Camaro concept at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, and the Camaro Convertible concept isn't a huge leap from that. Like its hardtop sibling, the Convertible gets power from a 400 horsepower 6-liter V-8. The car is expected to be released as a 2009 model.

Instead of releasing a true concept, Suzuki displays a pimped-style mod of its XL7 SUV. The clamshell moonroof flips up to serve as a 40-inch movie screen, and rear wings fold out to reveal stereo speakers. In this configuration, people can sit in front of the car to watch movies.

Four pedestal seats can be turned for a neck-breaking view of the roof screen. Alternatively, a pod on the front of the roof hides a projection TV, so the Flix can be parked facing any surface for an instant drive-in movie experience.

Built on an S600 frame and using the same engine, the Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive is a large luxury convertible sedan. The body styling is unique to this concept, although it's easy to imagine Mercedes-Benz using it as a basis for a future S-class convertible, especially with the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe already announced for production.

The controls for the Ocean Drive are kept clean and simple, with four-way switches embedded in the steering wheel. The knob for Mercedes-Benz' Comand car interface is visible on the center console.

The white Q7 V12 TDI on display in Detroit was more about showing off the engine than the car. Audi's concept Q7, fitted with a V-12 diesel engine, goes from zero to 62mph in 5.5 seconds. This engine is similar to that developed for the Audi R10 Formula race car, which has been snagging wins all over Europe.

Audi detailed the interior nicely on this concept, but it remains close to its Q7 roots. The exterior of the car shows bigger changes with the bumper broken by the grille and LED turn signals. Given that Audi has the car and the engine, the Q7 V12 could easily be put into production.

Jeep used its new Wrangler platform to build the Trailhawk, but oriented it to be more of a road-going vehicle. It has huge 22-inch wheels and removable roof panels to create an open-air driving experience. The engine is a 3-liter Bluetec diesel.

Blue back-lighting makes the instruments and stack displays match. Although some elements of this concept would need to be toned down for production, Jeep already has the engine and platform, and a design to work off of for the body.

The Nassau is designed as a four-door luxury hatchback and presents a curvy but aggressive look. Chrysler keeps its recent styling cues, but evolves them on the Nassau, smoothing out the hood and reshaping the grille. All external lighting, such as headlights and taillights, are LEDs. The Nassau is built on the 300C platform and uses a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8.

The dashboard of the Nassau features a traditional instrument display, plus an LCD information screen in a center, hooded area of the dashboard. The steering wheel uses a minimalist design, while speakers are embedded in the headrests. Although the interior gets pretty futuristic, it would take much for Chrysler to make the Nassau a reality.

With this Coupe concept, Honda shows off a really nice direction for future Accord body styles, with a strong performance character evident. Honda specifies this concept would use a V-6 with Variable Cylinder Management technology, which is supposed to provide more power while cutting emissions and raising mileage. This car is likely very close to something we will see in showrooms in a couple of years.

Although built on the Mustang platform, the Interceptor concept is not a four-door version of Ford's famous pony. With the Interceptor, Ford succeeds in making a modern muscle car with no retro elements. Big wheels, a flat front, and a chopped cabin add to the aggressive look. The car is powered by a 400 horsepower 5-liter Ford racing engine.

Ford keeps the cabin of the Interceptor fairly clean, with two gauges above the sport steering wheel and the shifter for the six-speed manual the only control on the center console. Ford has the know-how to put this car into production, so the company will have to figure out if it would make economic sense.

There's no secret about the production plans for this car; Volvo plans to have an XC60 on the road by early 2009. The XC60 looks like a crossover with its cargo area and sporty design. It's intended to be powered by a 3.2-liter ethanol-burning V-6.

Volvo refines steering wheel control, with its two recessed buttons on the spokes of the XC60. The floating center stack is carried over from current models, yet also is backlit for night driving.

Based on the Lancer, the Prototype-X is a look at the next generation Evo, which will become available in early 2008. The new Evo will use a turbocharged version of the Lancer's 2.0-liter four cylinder engine. Mitsubishi also has developed a new all-wheel-drive system, dubbed Super All Wheel Control, for the Prototype-X.

Unlike previous Evos, the Evo X will offer cabin luxuries, such as a premium stereo system by Rockford Fosgate, navigation, Bluetooth, and a hard drive for music storage. An automated manual transmission, similar to Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox, also will be available.