There are vehicles that have left an indelible mark on the history of the automotive world. Thanks to their features and details, these models have captivated vehicle enthusiasts throughout generations. However, for a concept car, which never made it to production and was only shown at specific times, to become part of history, that is a true milestone.
A concept car or "concept car" is a vehicle created with the purpose that the manufacturer can show the public what it is capable of in terms of design and technology. Additionally, it is used to conduct surveys in case you are considering carrying out a bold project. These are designs that featured amazing shapes, futuristic technology and unconventional solutions.
The first concept cars on record are the Volvo Venus Bilo (1933) and the Buick Y-Job (1938). But the list is much more extensive and surprising. These are some of the most notable concept cars in history:
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Volvo Venus Bilo (1933)
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Buick Y-Job (1938)
Buick Centurion (1956)
General Motors has been a leader in innovation when it comes to concept cars. Between 1949 and 1961, he organized the exclusive Motorama events, where he presented prototypes that gave an early vision of the brand's future. In 1956, the Buick Centurion made its debut with a design inspired by the speed and shape of rockets. Its distinctive styling included wide fins, a fiberglass body and a clear, aeronautical-style canopy. In addition, it featured a rear camera that displayed images on the dashboard and was equipped with a 325 HP V8 engine.
Dodge Deora (1967)
Designer Harry Bentley Bradley conceived an exceptional concept: the truck of the future. Manufactured on the basis of a Dodge A100, its design stands out for elements such as the front cabin without side doors, with access through a front gate. The interior is more like that of a sports car than a work truck, with the driving position located in front of the front wheels. The six-cylinder engine was located at the rear, with the radiator forward of the rear axle for cooling, and the gearbox had three speeds. This prototype gained popularity thanks to Hot Wheels, which manufactured a scale version highly sought after by collectors. Additionally, Mattel reinterpreted the concept with the Deora II.
Lancia Stratos Zero (1970)
Revealed at the 1970 Turin Motor Show, the Stratos Zero is recognized as a masterpiece of automotive engineering. Designed by Bertone and Marcello Gandini, it prioritized aesthetics over functionality. At just 84 centimeters high and 3.59 meters long, it holds the title of being the lowest hardtop car in history. Its arrow-shaped profile displays discreet side air intakes and notable racing tires. Powered by a 1.6 L and 132 HP V4 engine, its low weight of 700 kg and competition settings make it an extremely exciting vehicle to drive. Entry to the cabin was through the front windshield due to its distinctive design. For many, it remains the most exceptional concept ever created.
Ferrari 512 S Modulo (1970)
It made its debut at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show as an amazing flying object on wheels. Taking inspiration from the Ferrari 512 S, it maintains its chassis and engine, but its impressive, sharp design was created by Paolo Martin during his time at Pininfarina. Measuring 4.48 meters long and 2.04 meters wide, it weighed 900 kg and had a unique access through its sliding roof. The 5.0-liter, 550 HP V12 engine allowed it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds.
Chevrolet Corvette CERV III (1990)
Over the course of decades, General Motors has explored innovation through the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicles (CERV). The Corvette CERV III, introduced in 1990 in collaboration with Lotus, stands out as one of the most notable. Powered by a 5.7-liter, 650 hp twin-turbo V8, along with a carbon fiber, Kevlar and aluminum composite chassis, it reached a top speed of 362 km/h, showing that Chevrolet was already considering this configuration for its iconic sports car. .
BMW Nazca C2 (1992)
Part of a series of concept cars inspired by the town of Nazca in Peru. The first model emerged in 1991 and explored the possibility of a BMW supercar. It used a 5.0-liter V12 engine from the 850i with 300 HP and lightweight materials. In 1992, the Nazca C2 made its appearance: a competition version with an aggressive design and an engine modified by Alpina, reaching 350 HP. With a weight of 1000 kg, it achieved exceptional performance. In 1993, the last prototype in the series, the Spyder, added 380 HP of power.
Renault Espace F1 (1994)
Commemorating its success in Formula 1 and the anniversary of the Espace minivan, Renault brought to life the stunning Espace F1 concept. This vehicle combined the versatility of a minivan with the powerful 3.5-liter V10 of the F1 car, generating an astonishing 820 HP. Made of carbon fiber to achieve lightness and superior aerodynamics, it was capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds and reached a maximum speed of 312.2 km/h.
Ford GT90 (1995)
Ford paid tribute to the legendary Le Mans-winning GT40 by introducing the GT90 at the 1995 Detroit Motor Show. Called "the most powerful supercar in the world," it left everyone stunned with its revolutionary aesthetic inspired by fighter jets, marking the beginning of the New Edge design. Incorporating futuristic elements such as LED headlights and classic air intakes, the GT90 made use of materials from the aerospace industry in its construction, justifying its $3 million price tag. Its 720 HP turbocharged V12 engine propelled it to a top speed of 379 km/h, with rumors suggesting it could exceed 400 km/h. Laying the foundation for the subsequent production GT, the GT90 stood out as a technological gem.
Audi Rosemeyer (2000)
A model that combined retro design with cutting-edge technology. Its name, Bernd Rosemeyer, pays tribute to the Auto Union driver who died in 1938. Taking inspiration from Rosemeyer's racing cars, this Audi not only impressed visually, but also served as a mobile laboratory. Equipped with an 8.0-liter W16 engine that generated 700 HP and Quattro four-wheel drive, this model left its mark on the development of the Bugatti Veyron.
Cadillac Sixteen (2003)
A standout sedan that sported a new design style for Cadillac and was powered by a 13.6L V16 engine generating 1000 Hp, transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Despite its dimensions of approximately six meters and a weight of more than two and a half tons, it achieved moderate consumption thanks to cylinder disconnection technology. Inspired by the 1930 Cadillac Fleetwood, which was the first to have a 16-cylinder engine, unfortunately, this powerful engine did not reach production due to high costs.
Chrysler ME412 (2004)
Considered the pinnacle of Chrysler vehicles, this neoclassical sports car emerged after the merger of Chrysler and Daimler. Equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 engine (originally from AMG) that generated 850 HP, its power was channeled to the rear axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch box. Thanks to the use of aluminum and carbon fiber, it achieved a weight of 1310 kg, which, combined with carefully designed aerodynamics, allowed it to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reach 160 km/h in 6.2 seconds. , with an estimated maximum speed of 399 km/h. This functional prototype competed on equal terms with the Bugatti Veyron and surpassed the contemporary Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, but unfortunately it did not reach production due to the rivalry between the brands.
Ford Super Chief (2006)
Inspired by the iconic locomotive of the 20th century in the United States, which left its mark on history, Ford presented an immense and powerful pickup truck at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show. This truck not only paid tribute to the legendary railway machine, but It also advanced the design of Ford's trucks thereafter, maintaining their relevance today. With imposing proportions (6.70 m long, 2.40 m wide and 1.98 m high), Ford developed the BlockerBeam system to reduce damage in collisions with smaller vehicles. Equipped with a V10 engine with Tri-Flex system, it could run on gasoline, E85 ethanol or hydrogen, delivering a power of 558 horsepower.
Peugeot Onyx (2012)
This supercar, which made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, stood out for its matte black bodywork and shiny copper elements that gave it a distinctive appearance. Inside, there were soft wool surfaces and wooden details made from recycled paper. Powered by a 3.7L 600hp V8 HDi FAP turbodiesel engine at the rear axle, it had the ability to temporarily add 80hp via an electric motor and batteries that recovered energy during deceleration. Weighing 1,100kg thanks to its carbon fiber construction, the Onyx epitomized the concept of a diesel supercar, an idea that gained relevance before the decline in popularity of this type of engine.
Mazda RX-Vision (2015)
Revealed at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, it captivated with its design. Its measurements (4,389 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width and 1,160 mm in height) stood out for a long hood, wide fenders and a short rear. The real surprise lay in its new generation rotary engine under the hood. Although technical details were not revealed, it was suggested that this engine could be used as a range extender for the MX-30, Mazda's first electric vehicle.
Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 (2017)
With a retro-inspired art-deco style, this convertible dazzles with a 5.8 meter long body and 24-inch tires. Inside, it fuses contemporary elements with classic touches, where lighting in blue tones contrasts with a white environment and design details reminiscent of the past. Equipped with four electric motors, one per wheel, this vehicle delivers a total of 750 Hp. Thanks to a large battery integrated into the floor, it achieves a range of 320 km, which can be increased by 100 km in just 5 minutes by quick charging.
Regardless of whether it is a concept car, a classic model or a more modern vehicle, everyone needs to have adequate auto insurance that covers the vehicle against any eventuality. There are online comparators such as Comparaencasa, which allow you to quote online, compare insurance companies and contract an insurance plan. coverage in simple steps.
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