KBB Shares 10 Newest Car Crushes
IRVINE, Calif. — In the spirit of Valentines Day being right around the corner, the editors from Kelley Blue Book created a list of their 10 Newest Car Crushes. The majority of the vehicles on this list are concept cars, but a couple of them might be in dealer inventories soon.
KBB mixed together offerings from both domestic and foreign nameplates such as Cadillac, Chevrolet, Audi and Toyota.
"Valentine's Day may come but once a year, but we seem to fall in love every few months at auto shows across the country and around the world, where automakers reveal their newest cars and concepts," KBB editors explained.
"And at every one along the way, we've been enamored by brawn, brains and curves in a variety of shapes and sizes," they continued.
Editors shared their opinions about each vehicle that's now a "crush."
Detroit Showcar Audi e-tron
"With a seriously sexy profile and planet-friendly zero-emission electric powertrain, the Detroit Showcar Audi e-tron is the kind of sustainable mobility with which we wouldn't mind exploring the possibility of a long-term relationship. Or a quick fling. Either way."
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
"The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is like a hippy with tattoos and piercings: eco-friendly with a wild side. We like its balance of efficiency and performance, but it's that crazy look that really does it for us."
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
"The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe is the CTS-V Sedan's hot little sibling. It's everything we love about the original — including a 556-horsepower supercharged V8 and refined interior — but with a sexier two-door physique."
Chevy Aveo RS Concept
"It's a romantic comedy cliché: One moment the lead characters can't stand each other, the next they're madly in love. We experienced roughly the same effect with the introduction of the Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. We've never really seen eye-to-eye with the current-generation Aveo, but seeing the racy RS Concept filled our hearts with lusty desire."
GMC Granite Concept
"Count us among those who don't mind thinking inside the box every once in awhile. We like the economical space-efficiency of tall, wagon-like compact cars like the Scion xB and Kia Soul, and would love to see GMC throw this boldly styled alternative into the mix."
2011 Lexus LF-A
"Photogenic, recognizable and head-turning, the Lexus LF-A is one of the young guns of the sheetmetal supermodel set. We first saw this 552-horsepower, 4.8-liter V10 supercar at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, and immediately wanted the poster."
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
"With gull-wing doors and a retro feel that hearken back to the 300SL of the 1950s, the arrival of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is like the return of an old flame. Hang on for an even wilder ride than last time, though, thanks to a 563-horsepower V8."
MINI Beachcomber Concept
"The al fresco MINI Beachcomber Concept walks its fun-loving talk with an all-wheel drive system capable of whisking you to more secluded romantic destinations. The Beachcomber is the kind of car we'd love to spend some quality time with — and not just for the summer."
2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder
"Does it grind your gears to see people with their convertible tops in the upright and locked positions on the most beautiful days of the year? For those of us that would rather raise the roof only in case of rain, Porsche has created the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder, which features more of an umbrella than a roof. The real benefit is weight savings, which the Spyder magnifies with 10 more horsepower (320) than a Boxster S and a still sportier suspension, but we're more enamored with it as a drop-top for open-air purists."
Toyota FT-86 Concept
"Like a multi-lingual foreign exchange student, the FT-86 Concept appeals with unfamiliar origins. This Toyota/Subaru collaboration combines a lightweight, aerodynamic coupe design with a 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated, horizontally opposed 'Boxer' four-cylinder engine in a beguiling package that we can't wait to get to know better."