Top concept cars at the 2013 Detroit auto show

The Acura MDX concept is a thinly veiled look at the 2014 MDX 7-passenger crossover. Despite a lower stance, it features a longer wheelbase that increases interior space and improves rear-seat room. The chassis promises to be more rigid, which will improve handling, and Acura will now offer front-wheel drive instead of just all-wheel drive. Acura says an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine will improve torque and fuel efficiency, though no numbers are available. Look for it virtually unchanged this summer.

Read:  More about the MDX revealed in Detroit

Acura unveiled an NSX in Detroit a year ago, and this year it showed the next step in the car's evolution. This concept car features slightly tweaked styling, including a new grille and wheels. It also adds thickly bolstered sport seats and a Simple Sports Interface control system designed to reduce clutter. The car will be powered by a new midmounted 3.5-liter V6 engine and three electric motors, two of which will drive the front wheels. Watch for a production version, possibly as early as 2015.

View Pictures:  Acura brings the MDX, NSX to Detroit

The MKC concept is a near-production-ready preview of a compact crossover due next year. It features an attractive and elegant exterior design and an interior replete with leather offset by metal-flake-infused wood trim. It's based on the Ford Escape, and we suspect it will share that vehicle's 2.0-liter 231-horsepower and 1.6-liter 173-horsepower EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines. Programmable ride control will enhance ride and handling, and drivers will control the transmission with push buttons.

Read:  Lincoln shows off MKC concept

The Atlas concept represents a likely future design direction for the F-150 pickup. It also previews some future functionality. Ford's bed step now rises from the tailgate to act as a cradle for a roof storage system, and the bed has hidden ramps and 110-volt outlets. Under the hood, Ford says it features a next-generation EcoBoost engine, likely a version of the current 3.5-liter V6, but with stop-start technology. Look for a new F-150 in the next couple of years with features from the Atlas.

Read:  More about the Ford Atlas unveil

The HCD-14 Genesis concept provides a peek into the future of Hyundai's premium cars. It features a coupelike roofline with rear-hinged rear doors, a clean profile and a blocky grille. It's more impressive inside, where it uses eye-tracking and gesture-recognition technology to control the infotainment system. The next Genesis will likely be much tamer than this, but if this car is any indication, it will have a much bolder design than the current car.

View Slideshow:  Day one highlights — Detroit 2013

Volkswagen introduced a new Passat for the 2012 model year, and now it is exploring the possibility of a sport model. The Passat Performance concept is powered by a 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that cranks out 250 horsepower. The suspension is lowered to improve handling, and the exterior features dual exhaust, 19-inch wheels and carbon appliques on the mirrors. Inside, it has carbon-style trim on the dashboard and seat inserts. We expect a Passat sport model will be offered in a year or two.

Read:  VW shows off R-Line SUVs, concepts

With the CrossBlue concept, Volkswagen is exploring the possibility of adding a midsize SUV above the compact Tiguan and below the midsize Touareg for the North American market. The most innovative aspect of the CrossBlue is the plug-in hybrid diesel powertrain that makes 305 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque while delivering an estimated 35 mpg, 14 miles of electric-only range and a zero-to-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds. We expect a 7-passenger production version of the CrossBlue in a couple of years, probably with conventional powertrains.

Read:  New Tesla CUV debuts in Detroit

Other than some of the wilder design bits, such as the front and rear fascias, the mirrors and perhaps the side scoops, the 4-Series coupe concept looks production-ready. BMW says it will be more exclusive than the 3-Series coupe it replaces, which likely means more expensive. The car is lower, wider and longer than the last model, giving it an even more dynamic look. Expect 300-horsepower 435i and 240-horsepower 428i versions at launch late this summer, with an M4 to follow later.

Read:  BMW unveils four models at NAIAS

The "cute ute" began with the launch of the compact Toyota RAV4 in 1996. Today, we are seeing the rise of the cuter ute, which is an even smaller, subcompact vehicle. The Honda Urban SUV concept fills that bill. It represents a new crossover for Honda that slots in below the CR-V in size and price. Based on the Honda Fit, the Urban SUV concept will get a version of the CR-V's Magic Seat design that allows several seat configurations, including a fold-flat mode. No engine information is available.

Read:  More on Honda's Urban SUV concept

The Fiat 500 Abarth Tenebra isn't so much a concept car as a possible interior and exterior styling package. The diminutive 500 gets cloaked in matte gray paint with black chrome accents and gloss gray mirrors, side stripes and scorpion roof logo. Inside, it has black sport seats with gray piping and stitching and a racing harness pass-through. The flat-bottom steering wheel uses the same colors, and the dash is finished in matte carbon fiber. A Beats audio system with HD radio rounds out the feature set.

View Slideshow:  Cars that make a statement

The Corolla has run into tough competition from Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Dodge over the past few years, but the Furia concept unveiled in Detroit shows Toyota will soon fight back. The Furia reveals an aggressive design direction for the next Corolla — one that Toyota calls Iconic Dynamism. A company insider says the production car will look very similar, with changes likely for the front and rear fascias, 19-inch wheels and carbon-fiber rocker panels. The next Corolla will go on sale this fall.

Read:  Furia concept rolls into Detroit

With the Rogue and Murano due for redesigns, Nissan is examining the future of its crossover styling. The Nissan Resonance concept represents one possible design path, coupled with a hybrid powertrain. Nissan says the design balances dynamic fluidity with pure edginess, and it calls the cabin a high-tech and inviting VIP lounge. The white leather, real wood and graphically layered digital displays create an upscale interior feel. We think the Resonance looks futuristic, but some of the lines could reasonably show up in future production vehicles.

Read:  Nissan makes waves in Detroit

Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experience to MSN,andcurrently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.