We take a look at ten of the most memorable concept cars that may never see the light of day.
The concept car is a car that’s made without inhibitions. Designers and engineers are given free reign to use their creativity and create inspiring machines. Some concept cars eventually get a few changes and become production cars; others gain immortality and infamy, surviving only in the articles of scorned writers.
Whether you know anything about cars, or can’t tell the gear-shift from the hand-brake, these cars make you just stop and stare, bending reality around them.
Here I look at ten of the most memorable concept cars and pass an objective (mostly) VERDICT on whether these cars will ever see the light of day or just remain too good to be true.
2008 BMW GINA
Let’s start with GINA, which stands for "Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptations", because BMW took the concept of ‘concept’ to another level here. The entire outer body is made of a special fabric that warps, courtesy of a mechanised inner skeleton.
2008 BMW GINA
Gina’s headlights open like eyelids, and her hood has a suggestive opening that invited many giggles when paired with her name.
VERDICT: Not in my lifetime. An interesting concept but ahead of its time. Now, GINA is a sneaker.
2005 Maserati Birdcage Concept
Almost 11 years old, the Birdcage 75th concept still looks way ahead of its time. It was created and designed by legendary Italian design firm Pininfarina to commemorate its 75th anniversary. Unlike most concept cars, this could actually be driven.
2005 Maserati Birdcage Concept
The standout feature in the Birdcage concept is the single canopy door that makes the car feel like a batmobile. If only it came in black.
VERDICT: Not in my lifetime. Beautiful car to commemorate a joyous occasion. Nothing more to see here.
2009 Lamborghini Estoque
The Lamborghini Estoque was actually much closer to production than any other car on this list. At a time when supercar makers were expanding their line, Lamborghini wanted to compete in a new market and decided to build a full-sized sedan.
2009 Lamborghini Estoque
Although it was going to be a limited run, ultimately Lamborghini shelved the Estoque because they didn’t think it would be profitable.
VERDICT: Probably not. Lamborghini has released newer concepts since but hasn’t revisited the Estoque.
2008 Mazda Furai
The Furai has a tragic story. A beautiful machine that Mazda could have designed for the race track and the road. It had sharp flowing lines, and according to those closest to it, it roared like a dragon. But alas, only the good die young.
2008 Mazda Furai
Only one was ever made, the one of its kind. On a sunny day in England eight years ago, journalist from a reputable car magazine were invited for a photo shoot and to let it out on the track. It ran like a beauty with a white knight at the wheel, but it wasn’t long before:
2008 Mazda Furai
(photo: topgear.com)
Disaster struck. A spark led to a flame that turned the dragon (ironically) to ash in just eight minutes.
VERDICT: Maybe, some day. The folks at Mazda may still be mourning, or maybe they’ve moved on to…
2015 Mazda RX-Vision
While the RX-Vision lacks the distinctly sexy lines of the Furai, it does look a lot more production ready. The RX-Vision also packs a rotary engine that previously powered Mazda’s RX-8. Debuted last year in Tokyo, the car is still mostly shrouded in mystery…
2015 Mazda RX-Vision
…with most still guessing if it will see the light of day. There are rumours that it may debut as the RX-9, but I don’t believe in rumours, unless I start them.
VERDICT: Believe it when I see it. It’s a beautiful car that should be made, as long as it isn’t combustible.
2014 Infiniti Q80 Inspiration
There’s a very good reason why I’ve put the Infiniti on here, and that’s because most of Infiniti’s cars look like they started their lives as very practical concepts. A good hard look at the Infiniti Q80 Inspiration and you can easily see the seeds of a production car.
2014 Infiniti Q80 Inspiration
It has clean lines, albeit maybe too many for regular production; sharp looking headlights, that may be too sharp and the windshield that stretches 85% along the roof may also face legal issues.
VERDICT: Possibly, in a more street legal form.
2013 Audi Nanuk Quattro
Similar to the Infiniti, Audi’s concepts also tend to bear fruit in some form or the other. The Audi TT and the Audi R8 both started as futuristic concepts before getting a tweaking and being made more practical.
2013 Audi Nanuk Quattro
The Audi Nanuk (I am assuming this will not stay its name) may well be a glimpse of what the next generation R8 or R9 or some other letter and some other number will look like.
VERDICT: Possibly, with a better name.
2013 Peugeot Onyx
If Peugeot made more cars like the Onyx, I’d probably write more about Peugeot. Now, I’m not knocking them, but look at the aggressive front end on the Onyx and compare it to the sad-dog face on many Peugeot cars; this is what a mean machine looks like.
2013 Peugeot Onyx
The Onyx is a fully functioning concept that looks like it can slice through air, your garage, other cars and the space-time continuum.
VERDICT: Probably, I hope. Only 3 years have passed, so here’s hoping Peugeot’s making more in secret.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Most concept cars are one of a kind; they have no predecessors and no successors. The Corvette Stingray is an exception. The 2009 version was made 50 years after the last Stingray concept, and was never going to production.
2009 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
It also stands out on this list due to its Hollywood connection. That’s right, the Stingray is a starlet having appeared in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
VERDICT: Maybe some day, with some tweaking, as the Corvette of the future.
2009 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept
While most concept cars on this list have been oversized toys for boys, this SUV from Aston Martin is more practical. Historically, the Lagonda was a four-door sedan produced by the British automaker from the 1970s to 1990.
2009 Aston Martin Lagonda Concept
The Lagonda itself was eventually succeeded by the Aston Martin Rapide, leaving this SUV on the drawing room floor.
VERDICT: Very possible. With Bentley and Maserati moving into the luxury SUV market, Aston Martin could quite possibly revive this concept depending on the response.
(photos: conceptcarz.com)
Some concepts do hit the prodcution line, producing beautiful machines, like these 10 unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.