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Actually, Honda is doing more than simply aiming high. They are aiming for the stratosphere — literally, sort of, because the 3R-C concept looks like something out of the Jetsons. It belongs either in space or in the future — or, hell, maybe both, who knows?

I get that there is a market — sort of — for vehicles like this. By the way, “this” is not just electric, it is battery powered and aims towards personal transportation. It is in line with the FCX Clarity, the EV-N, and the U3-X electric personal mobility contraption.

It is going to debut next month in Geneva. But I ask you, will it ever make it to production? And even if it does, would anyone really want to be seen in it?

Auto aficionados no doubt kept up with all the big reveals at this year’s NAIAS. Many of you are likely just aware of one of the largest surprise reveals there this time: GMC’s Granite concept. The design is meant to produce a smaller sort of truck and crossover, creating a hatchback with a compact build. The target audience? Urban hipsters, baby, along with brave early adopters.

The concept was conceived in California, the brainchild of the Advanced Design Team belonging to Frank Saucedo. However, the hatchback was built in Detroit at the GM Design Center.

The aesthetic behind the Granite puts together the basic, simple proportions found in the Nissan Cube as well as the Scion xB, with a rather industrial feeling that gets its inspiration from, of all things, two major fashion lines: Diesel and G-Star.

Hyundai has been responsible for some pretty cute little vehicles. The renderings of this one — a concept known as the ix-Metro — were just recently made available not to long ago, and the actual concept got its unveiling at the IAA that took place in Frankfurt.

Namyang, Korea’s Global Design Team has created a whole series of new concept cars, of which this is the fifth. It is designed as a showcase vehicle for the “Blue Drive” eco initiative Hyundai is pushing.

The ix-Metro is a CUV — a sub-B segment hybrid electric one, to be exact. Hyundai promises that the concept will give out CO2 emissions that are only eighty grams per kilometer. The vehicle uses an petrol engine, an inline three cylinder, that displaces a mere liter.

The Nissan Qazana concept proved to be one of the brightest stars of the 2009 auto show in Geneva.

NDE, or Nissan’s European Design Center, created the stunner. Specifically, we have Matt Weaver, the lead designer, and Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan Design Europe’s Vice President, to thank.

It is not really clear, however, whether the Qazana will ever actually make it into production. Albaisa has been noted as saying that the concept was created solely to appear at the motor show in Geneva, but goes on to say that the concept should not be passed off. He says that it is also meant to show the direction Nissan might take for small cars in the future.

Of course, giving the Qazana’s success at the show, Nissan might be changing their minds in a hurry.

Subaru has recently released the very first renderings of their new concept — the Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept, to be precise. It is set to be unveiled at the motor show in Tokyo next month, which will be the forty first year of the event.

The concept is a proposal for a grand touring vehicle. It is designed to integrate three important factors: safety, driving performance, and eco friendliness.

On the outside, the vehicle is said to be inspired by actual wings, in order to evoke a sense of freedom and a sense of confidence. The design is an aerodynamic one, emphasized by the vehicle’s gullwing doows and its areas of open glass.

Inside, the vehicle can seat up to four passengers and manages to feel quite open. The dashboard, for instance, can be moved either up or down, so the driving environment is optimized.