Most eye-catching of Ford's trio is the Airstream crossover concept, a joint venture with the iconic travel-trailer company that explores the way people might take road trips in the future. Its distinctive, sleek, silver bullet shape is pure Airstream, while the asymmetrical orange-bordered windows are typical of the current generation of Ford concepts.

Only one side has a rear door, running the full-length and hinged at the top like a tailgate for easy, flat floor access. Inside is a trailer-like, wraparound low-backed seat, and a floor-mounted cylindrical LCD screen showing a looping movie of flames, landscapes and abstract images. Front-seat passengers get pod-shaped swiveling chairs and the whole is finished in vibrant red-orange fabric. At the back, the tailgate is T-shaped to accommodate the wrap-around seats.

Power comes from a hydrogen fuel-cell system in which current is fed to a battery pack. The battery pack supplies juice to the traction motors, keeping peak demand on the fuel cell down and efficiency up.

Striking, Toned Interceptor Concept

The most realistic concept is the Ford Interceptor four-door muscle car. It gets the striking chrome grille treatment from last year’s Super Chief concept, but it’s surprisingly understated overall. The low roofline and broad shoulderline lend a powerful, toned look and it’s not hard to imagine something like this on the road before too long.

Inside things get even bolder. An all-black interior has low, bucket seats and even the headliner is finished in “belt leather” (i.e., it has silver buckles embedded in it). Head restraints hang from the roof, rather than extending from seatbacks. The dash is straight out of the '70s muscle car playbook: all squares and rectangles. Back-seat riders get experimental inflatable seat belts.

Interceptor’s engine, like its chassis, is based on the current Mustang. It’s a 400-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 upgraded with sports and racing parts that Ford dubs "Cammer," after the high-power, large valve, overhead cam engines that propelled its race-winning cars in the mid-60s—an appropriate association for the Interceptor.

MKR an "Elegant Simplicity"

The Lincoln MKR represents Ford’s vision in a more upscale market segment. With classic American styling cues and a smooth, modern shape—"elegant simplicity" according to Peter Horbury, Ford’s executive director of design for the Americas. The double wing-shaped grilles, inspired by the ’41 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, gives the car a strong presence. Lincoln stars behind each front fender extends beveled lines back in the doors, at the back full-width LED taillights emphasize the brand's upmarket feel.

Inside is a modern art-deco effect, with surfaces finished in light oak, four individual pod seats and numerous touches of luxury. The concept debuts a new Lincoln 3.5-liter V8 engine offering 415 horsepower and capable of running on E85 that, Ford claims, offers V8 power with V6 economy.