Why do Automobile Manufacturers Make Concept Cars?

Concept cars are designed to be somewhat futuristic. They are generally designed around a certain theme, or a late model and prototypes are made to measure the consumer appeal of the concept car. Concept cars combine the most modern technologies available with the sleek designs of past cars that have been very successful. Concept cars are really meant to test if consumers are ready and willing to purchase such an advanced vehicle.

Geneva Motor Show is one of the largest car shows in the world! This is a chance for automobile manufacturers from around the world to show off their incredible new designs and styles. They bring concept cars to these shows and unveil their “pet projects” at a very low cost while providing a lot of information to consumers. Concept cars are the dream cars of many car enthusiasts but unfortunately most concept cars never even reach full scale production due to design flaws and/or the cost of producing them.

It’s very common for concept cars to be destroyed once they have been shown. Some are actually bought by car enthusiasts and are kept in storage or in museums around the world. They are not a waste of money however, lots of concept cars feature new technologies that can be used in the future. Concept cars also keep consumers buzzing over their looks!

Concepts Becoming A Reality

For the most part, concept cars tend to be just that, concepts. A way for the top manufacturers such as Audi, Ferrari, Rolls Royce etc to show what they can do. To demonstrate their technology and design capabilities to the media and watching world. The same goes for any motorcycle concept. Seldom does a concept actually make it to the production / manufacturing line however elements of concept cars over the past 10 years or so are now starting to appear in today’s manufactured vehicles. Particularly in the design / styling of the bodywork. Is this going to continue? Are we going to see the concept cars of the future be turning into road worthy machines? We can only hope. It would be a god send for Audi to put all of their knowledge and technological ability in to producing one fantastic, road legal specimen from the technology under the hood, to the bodywork and right down to the tires! I know I would certainly be on the waiting list.

The same goes for most concept cars, I can’t imagine many of my readers wouldn’t like to get their hands on a brand new, road legal Mustang Concept or even the previously featured Mini Cooper!

Concept Cars Of The Future

2008 is fast coming to a close and this year, we have seen it all. The motor shows, as usual have yielded some of the best looking, most luxurious and equipped cars we have ever seen here at BestConceptCars - and not just from the usual suspects such as Audi and Renault - other manufacturers such as Ford and Volvo are also getting in on the action…and who can forget the Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe - for me, that was the star concept car of this year, a true work of art all be it, not quite practical.

The styling of all the cars we have featured this year have been second to none, from the overall bodywork, to the dash features, paint, even down to the tires. If we only see half the amount of technology that has gone into these concepts integrated next year then we will be in for a treat.

2008 has not just been about cars though. I must also take a moment to credit the motorcycle manufacturers who have also raised the bar in both terms of design and style this year. A truly fantastic effort from all parties concerned.

Let’s hope 2009 brings some even better concepts from all of the major automobile and motorcycle manufacturers.

Dutton Mariner

I’m not going to bore you by talking about the latest jeep or forklift with bits stuck onto it to fulfil a film maker’s desire for some excitement. Or the scientific concepts which, although not boring , are currently being promoted by everyone to save the planet. If you are looking for something conceptual and definitely car like and in full existence (which means you can maybe buy and own and drive one too), then look up Dutton Mariner; they have a web site, it’s also 100% UK manufactured, (with a few parts from Suzuki, so more UK than Vauxhall and Rover ….you know where that goes).
Before anyone asks , yes it is my dream car, but it’s a true concept car in action, and if you don’t believe it you can drive it into the lake or off the nearest beach and prove it to yourself. I know there are bionic dolphins for sale in America and the PALV, that weird Dutch motorbike/helicopter, but this drives - no stopping to change body shape or stick anything on - it drives, it’s real and it’s a concept car. And for all those who like the environment, think of it this way: rising sea levels, car that swims, you know - it might be handy.

The Mazda Taiki

Mazda challenged their international design studio when they asked for a vehicle that best captured the “essence of flow.” The Mazda Taiki is just a hint of what is still to come in style and technology for the manufacturer.

The Taiki is a two-door, two-seat sports car with intense bodywork that mimics airflow. The word Taiki is Japanese for atmosphere. The vehicle has a wind-swept profile and awesome strakes line the sides of the car.

The inspiration for the Mazda Taiki comes from the big fish-shaped paper streamers know as climbing carp streamers known as Japanese koinobori and a mythical dress that made it possible for maidens to fly. The result was a canopy of glass with unique fenders and rear detail. The rear wheels of the Mazda Taiki help the vehicle obtain zero lift. Other vehicles require spoilers in order to create a downforce, however, the tunnel shape of the rear wheels create enough thrust that the wheels stick to the tarmac as if they were glued to it. From the dashboard to the door trim, the interior space is dynamic.

Performance centers on the rotary engine sports packaging. The Mazda Taiki includes the RENESIS 16X rotary engine, which sets a new standard for driving performance.

Glance at the future

Ever wonder what the future could have in store for you? Well wonder no more and head to the next car show to see the latest and greatest in automobile advancements. Concept cars are created to demonstrate or display what the future could hold in the automobile industry. While not built to be practical or even sold in production, their idea is to show what the future could have in store for different product lines and feature ground breaking concepts that will be implemented over the years to come.

Unlike cars off of the production line, concept cars are not built with any regulation or safety standards in mind. This allows the creator to use their imagination a great deal and implement ideas that are not yet proven or allowed based on current laws. Since concept cars are built to be whatever the creator wants it to be, they would require a great deal of work to even be considered production ready and so generally do not make it out of the showroom.