2001 Concept Car Odyssey at the New York International Automobile Show

    NEW YORK, March 21 Journey into the automotive unknown
with a trip to the 2001 New York International Automobile Show to see dozens
of out-of-this-world, space-aged concept cars at the Jacob K. Javits
Conventions Center from Friday, April 13 to Sunday, April 22.

    "Each year, the concept cars on display are more compelling than ever.
Some are clearly design exercises, others look very close to production, and
some are just, well, strange," said auto show chairman, John LaSorsa.  "From
Ford's retro Forty-Nine and VW's next-generation Microbus to an interesting
lineup of multiuse hybrid vehicles that are at home both on and off the road,
this season's concepts are anything but ordinary."

    With these concepts, the 2001 Show will offer a glimpse into the drivers'
seats of tomorrow.  Display vehicles include modern interpretations of
classics, some of the most futuristic designs, and many of the latest safety
advancements.

    Here's a sneak-peek:

    Chevy Borrego

    Chevy's Borrego is a rugged and fun "sports adventure vehicle."  It
features a built-in air compressor and water tank, as well as a reconfigurable
mid-gate that shifts back to make room for two more passengers.

    Buick Bengal

    Buick aspires to reach a younger market with its Bengal concept -- a
graceful, powerful roadster.  This 2+2 features voice-activated controls, a
pair of custom golf bags, and a flat-panel speaker across the entire
dashboard.

    Jaguar XK180

    Jaguar's racing spirit is captured throughout the company's newest
concept, the XK180.  With its sculpted body styling and 450 horsepower engine,
this feline prototype appears ready for any racetrack.

    Cadillac Vizon

    It's not a wagon or an SUV but a combination of both, wrapped in Cadillac
style.  Vizon features adaptive cruise control for increased safety,
Stabilitrak, and a voice-activated phone system.

    Ford F-150 Lightning Rod

    The roof has been chopped, the overhangs have been shortened, and the
exterior body panels have been finished in a cherry red metallic paint, giving
the Lightning Rod a sleek, hot-rod, performance look.

    Volvo Safety Concept Car

    Volvo's Safety Concept Car was designed with safety as a top priority.
Features include:  rear-mounted cameras for increased visibility, four-point
safety belts, a collision warning system, and a heartbeat sensor that warns if
someone is hiding inside the parked car.

    BMW Z9 Convertible

    This open-air 2+2 provides a glimpse into future BMW design.  At its heart
is a new concept in interior design called iDrive, a system which makes
operating driving features simpler and safer.

    BMW X Coupe

    The BMW X coupe concept vehicle is dramatically different from anything
BMW has ever created and hints at future BMW design.  The X coupe's bold
asymmetrical design covers a full-time all-wheel drive system from the X5.

    Toyota RSC Concept

    Toyota developed the RSC (Rugged Sport Coupe) Concept to explore new
possibilities for its next generation sports car.  It's intended as purely a
visual statement that's designed to connect with younger buyers.

    Mazda RX-8 Concept

    Powered by a 250 horsepower version of Mazda's legendary rotary engine,
RX-8 is a high-performance, four-door sports car that provides seating for
four.

    Acura RS-X

    RS-X provides a clear indication of the direction Acura's headed with the
replacement of the Integra.

    Ford Forty-Nine

    The sleek Ford Forty-Nine concept is a modern interpretation of the
once-radical 1949 Ford, which helped revolutionize styling.

    Ford EX

    More dune buggy than car, the Ford EX concept's exposed components give it
a purposeful, yet powerful, appearance.

    Volvo ACC

    Volvo prepares itself for the leap into the SUV segment with the ACC
concept, a first indication of what's waiting around the corner.

    Chrysler Crossfire

    Crossfire features a sophisticated design, blending traditional European
proportions and handling with the power and personality of an American
performance car.

    Dodge Powerbox

    The Dodge PowerBox hybrid concept vehicle combines brawny looks with an
advanced powertrain that is gentle on the environment.  The rugged
sport-utility concept provides the performance of a powerful V-8 engine, but
achieves 60 percent better fuel efficiency than most SUVs on the road today.

    Nissan Z Concept

    This all-new, contemporary sports car was created with a healthy amount of
"Z" DNA -- a combination of passion, performance, practicality, and value.

    Nissan T Concept Truck

    Nissan's T Concept Truck presents a glimpse into the possibility of
Nissan's entry into the full-size truck market.

    Nissan Chappo

    The Chappo indicates the direction for future Nissan "city" vehicles.
With its asymmetrical "two-box" exterior design and an interior that's made to
be a social, mobile space, it's virtually a "living room on wheels."

    Hummer H2 SUT Concept

    One of the wildest, most indestructible, and powerful trucks ever.

    GMC TerraCross

    More refined and graceful than the no-holds-barred 2000 GMC Terradyne,
this vehicle is aimed at a young, sophisticated consumer who wants to
entertain guests in style.

    Pontiac REV

    A muscle car that's at home on dirt roads, REV combines the torque and
road handling of a Firebird with the versatility of an SUV.

    Isuzu KAI

    With its inspiration drawn from traditional Japanese aesthetics, the
four-wheel-drive KAI's radiator grill design alludes to a Shinto temple
gateway, the seat patterns are inspired by Samurai armor, and small square
windows in the sun roof are reminiscent of the Shoji screens found in Japanese
houses.

    Isuzu GBX

    Designed as an automotive backpack to transport your gear wherever you
want, the GBX is a stylish sport utility vehicle with some interesting
features including:  a retractable canvas cargo roof, drop steps for easy
access to the roof rack, and tool storage, work shelves.

    Mitsusbishi ASX

    Aimed squarely at Generation Y, the ASX is a mini sport-utility vehicle
with full-time four-wheel drive, advanced navigation systems, and a rearview
camera.

    Mitsubishi RPM 7000

    Designed as a rally-style sports car, the RPM 7000 is capable of producing
315 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. The 2.0-liter, DOHC 4-cylinder engine gets its
strength from a twin-intercooled, twin-scroll turbocharger and transfers its
power to all four wheels through an Active Control Transfer.

    Jeep Willys

    Built to pay homage to Jeep vehicles of the past, the Jeep Willys features
plastic body-technology that allows for a radical design approach.