Clever designers and engineers dream up car concepts that push the limits of what's possible on four wheels. These cars are meant to showcase new styles and technology while gauging consumer reaction. These experimental and imaginative cars have a wide range of features that appeal to a array of enthusiasts. Let’s take a look at six of the coolest concept cars throughout history.
All-around ultra-futuristic styling, a sleek low profile, and seating for six – what’s not to love about the Phantom Corsair? Built in 1938, this dream car was designed by Rust Heinz of the Heinz Company and Maurice Schwartz of the coachbuilding company Bohman & Schwartz. Coolest feature: the Phantom Corsair had no door handles; the doors opened electrically using push-buttons.
In this concept car, the driver and passenger sit in completely separate cockpits so conversation happens over an intercom. Only 18 of this model were ever made. It boasts a conventional 250bhp Audi five-cylinder engine.
This model replaces traditional rigid body materials with polyurethane-coated Spandex that is durable and resilient. This material is stretched over an aluminium wire moveable frame, which allows the car to change shape. When the car is parked, the steering wheel and instruments sit on the center console and they transition back to their correct positions when the car is started.
The Ford SYNus concept car was designed to maximize safety. Inspired by the armadillo, the SYNus strived to be ultra-strong on the outside with a soft, comfortable interior. This cool car’s aesthetics was based on the look of modern bank vaults and features a bulletresistant frame and windows. This is one tough concept car.
This ride sports a carbon-fiber frame highlighted with copper fenders and doors. The cockpit is covered in wool felt, the dashboard is constructed of recycled newspapers, and the cabin features a camera that captures driving experiences. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds.
The original version of this privately funded concept car was designed by the youngest designer to work at GM at the time, in 1957. Combining style cues from the original Corvette Stingray, the 2009 concept has modern elements such as scissor-style doors, a rear-view camera with nightvision, and a hybrid engine. It’s topped off with four large rear exhausts and wicked rear lights.
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Slide 3 Photo Provided By Alden Jewell (1938 Phantom Corsair Uploaded by PDTillman) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Slide 4 Photo Provided By LarryStevens (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Slide 5 Photo Provided By ravas51 [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Slide 6 Photo Provided By Ian Muttoo [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Slide 7 Photo Provided By Liondartois (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Slide 8 Photo Provided By G patkar at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons
Summary Concept cars are exciting and desirable but rarely go into production. There are hundreds of concept models to envy. Ultimately they would need to be modified for practicality, safety, regulatory compliance, and cost. Check out these six ultra-sleek concept cars throughout history.