When it comes to adopting innovative ideas, the world often takes its time. There can be years between the original conception of an idea and its widespread acceptance, but, if the notion has genuine mileage, it will usually catch on sooner or later.
This seems to be the guiding principal behind concept cars, where manufacturers give their design team leave to go completely wild, fulfilling their most lavish futuristic fantasies in the hope on hitting on new ideas that will one day make it into the mainstream.
Here are 5 such memorable hits and misses that have been dreamt over the years to this end;
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This car may well be uglier than sin, but, besides turning heads, the bizarre bubble-like design does have a practical purpose in mind, the idea being to reduce blind spots in the driver’s lines of sight, thus ensuring a safer driving experience. On top of this, the cabin revolves, meaning you’d never actually need to reverse, as the car can effectively perform a 360 degree turn on the spot.
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With its collection of rugged yet sleek lines, the shape shifting BMW Gina is not only one the of the best looking concept cars yet designed, it’s several of them.
To elucidate, the car’s body is formed by a resilient manmade fabric stretched over aluminium wires. These wires can be moved using controls in the cockpit to change the cars shape, but it will also naturally alter its appearance according to weather conditions and the speed at which it's travelling. Ideal for those who are easily bored…
This looks very much like something the protagonist of a Saturday morning cartoon from the early 90’s might drive, as he cruises about dispensing justice in a dystopian metropolis on some distant planet…
It seems to be a cross between a car, a motorbike and a plane, and apparently it’s so difficult to drive that, at higher speeds an auto pilot is required.
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You may have heard recently that petrol has been causing a few problems, namely; global warming, various wars and big bills for the average motorist. All of which makes the idea of a fuel-less car very appealing.
The solution is, apparently, all around us, as the this concept car shows, running as it does on compressed air alone (at thrilling speeds of up to 35mph…)
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The concept here? Well, it’s supposed to be a party on wheels. From the way it looks, you’d have to assume the party the designers had in mind was one of those awkward gatherings where nobody’s quite sure what to do with themselves other than drink excessively.
It features semi-standing seats, so that, at least according to the designers, young revellers can continue to dance as they’re transported from one happening shindig to another. The steering wheel is also shaped like a turntable…rad….All in all, it’s a patronizing disaster at marketing to young people.
Will Kerr writes on all sorts of motoring topics, from innovations in design, to driving jobs.
This seems to be the guiding principal behind concept cars, where manufacturers give their design team leave to go completely wild, fulfilling their most lavish futuristic fantasies in the hope on hitting on new ideas that will one day make it into the mainstream.
Here are 5 such memorable hits and misses that have been dreamt over the years to this end;
The Nissan Pivo
Photo source
This car may well be uglier than sin, but, besides turning heads, the bizarre bubble-like design does have a practical purpose in mind, the idea being to reduce blind spots in the driver’s lines of sight, thus ensuring a safer driving experience. On top of this, the cabin revolves, meaning you’d never actually need to reverse, as the car can effectively perform a 360 degree turn on the spot.
The BMW Gina
Photo source
With its collection of rugged yet sleek lines, the shape shifting BMW Gina is not only one the of the best looking concept cars yet designed, it’s several of them.
To elucidate, the car’s body is formed by a resilient manmade fabric stretched over aluminium wires. These wires can be moved using controls in the cockpit to change the cars shape, but it will also naturally alter its appearance according to weather conditions and the speed at which it's travelling. Ideal for those who are easily bored…
The Ferrari Monza
This looks very much like something the protagonist of a Saturday morning cartoon from the early 90’s might drive, as he cruises about dispensing justice in a dystopian metropolis on some distant planet…
It seems to be a cross between a car, a motorbike and a plane, and apparently it’s so difficult to drive that, at higher speeds an auto pilot is required.
The Magnetic Air Car
Photo source
You may have heard recently that petrol has been causing a few problems, namely; global warming, various wars and big bills for the average motorist. All of which makes the idea of a fuel-less car very appealing.
The solution is, apparently, all around us, as the this concept car shows, running as it does on compressed air alone (at thrilling speeds of up to 35mph…)
The Honda Fuya-Jo
Photo source
The concept here? Well, it’s supposed to be a party on wheels. From the way it looks, you’d have to assume the party the designers had in mind was one of those awkward gatherings where nobody’s quite sure what to do with themselves other than drink excessively.
It features semi-standing seats, so that, at least according to the designers, young revellers can continue to dance as they’re transported from one happening shindig to another. The steering wheel is also shaped like a turntable…rad….All in all, it’s a patronizing disaster at marketing to young people.
Will Kerr writes on all sorts of motoring topics, from innovations in design, to driving jobs.
Very different-looking cars! They look like something out of a sci-fi movie!
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