Six cars that showcase the future of design

The e Audi prologue Avant is a five-door luxury car that allows the driver and up to three passengers to enjoy a luxurious ride that allows everyone to be digitally connected thanks to a state-of-the-art infotainment architecture and connect technology. This plug-in hybrid is a look at possible styling for the next A6 wagon Power output by the 3.0 TDI engine and the electric motor in combination make the car sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.

This is Bentley’s interpretation of a high performance, two seat sports car. “This one car showcases modern automotive design, highly skilled British handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology,” says CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer.

Nissan’s luxury brand is desperate to launch a model into the growing and highly important small crossover segment. This is it, or something very close to this will arrive in showrooms early next year. “We’ve used expected materials in an unexpected way, and given functional elements an artistic twist,” said Infiniti design chief Alfonso Albaisa. “It is the unconventional execution of a conventional element that makes the QX30 Concept a design leader.”

The current Nissan Micra looks pretty dated compared to this Sway concept. But what we have here is a look at creative thinking behind the next-generation Micra. Nissan says this is “a concept car designed especially to appeal to European tastes. It is seen as emotional, edgy and exciting.” Nissan says this concept was inspired by the IDx show car first revealed at the 2013 Tokyo motor show."With this new concept car for Geneva, we are experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact hatchback segment," says Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura.

Think small. Lexus is. This ultra-compact, urban 2+2 ride suggests that Lexus is aiming to compete in the tiny urban runabout segment – up-market branch, of course. Lexus says the LF-SA driver-focused, which reflects Lexus’ vision that a real driving experience will remain the ultimate luxury. And it’s small: 3,450mm long, 1,700 mm wide and 1,430 mm high. That makes is fit nicely in a crowded city. Inside, the 2+2 cabin has among other things a fixed the driver's seat, with adjustable steering wheel and pedals, bringing the vehicle to the driver. The infotainment system includes a hologram-style digital display incorporated in the instrument binnacle and a wide-angle Head-Up-Display.

Kia says this is a stylish and athletic grand tourer in the classic sense – “ready to eat up the miles across continents, whether for business or leisure.” European design boss Gregory Guillaume says that unlike traditional estate cars, wagons or even shooting brakes, the Kia Sportspace “presents an architectural outline that is distinctly different and sophisticated” – with a long and lean profile with unbroken surfaces and purposeful lines. Power comes from a diesel-electric hybrid previously seen on the Optima T-Hybrid concept at the 2014 Paris Motor Show.