Concept 2096 (1996)
A concept car that anticipated a quantum leap forward to the year 2096 appeared at the 1996 British Motor Show which was held in the industry’s centenary year. It bristled with initiatives of which the most radical was the absence of a driver in the accepted sense.
Takayanagi Miluira (2012)
The Takayanagi Miluira is a quirky, steam punk style electric car from Japan. It also happens to have one of the most difficult to spell names.
With its all-electric drivetrain the Takayanagi Miluira can reach a top speed of just 37 mph (60 km/h). The maximum range is only 22 miles (35 km).
Fiat 500 with Murcielago engine (1971,2013)
Max power: 580hp. Lamborghini Murcielago V12 6.2L, sports exhaust, custom made 18L oil and water tanks, twin radiators with three rows of elements, twin electric fans, oil cooler
BMW 42-wheel concept (2013)
You might think this absurd creation is the work of some fanatically over zealous BMW fanboy. But actually it comes courtesy of BMW themselves! It’s just a photoshop mock up, and is more of a marketing ploy than anything else, but were you really expecting them to make this thing? It’s got 42 wheels and 19 engines for Christ’s sake!
Fiat Panda 4X4 Monster Truck (2012)
Understandably you may be wondering why Fiat would commission such an outrageous vehicle. Well that’s because this particular monster Panda will be used in an upcoming TV commercial due to start airing in 2013. Created by the Leo Burnett ad agency, it tells the story of four friends who set off for a weekend in the mountains. The Panda 4×4, transforming into a Monster Truck, climbs nimbly up to the hostel, stunning everyone with its performance. And when the driver, thinking he is on a normal Panda 4×4, gets down from the car, he ends up falling two metres onto a cushion of snow, to the laughter of his friends.
FVT ale
The FVT (Future Vehicle Technologies) alé is a prototype vehicle which was developed as part of the company’s Automotive X-Prize project. FVT is a research and development company who specialize in new technology’s which can help reduce the emissions of everyday vehicles.
The FVT alé’s unusual layout and aerodynamic shape was dictated by the requirement for the best fuel economy possible. The ale achieved 92 MPG by using just regular gasoline.
DeltaWing Racing Car (2012)
The DeltaWing Racing Car is a radical proposal for a new type of vehicle for the 2012 IndyCar racing series.
Subaru WRX STI TRAX (2009)
Wood powered El Camino “El Kamina”
The El Kamina is a 1987 Chevrolet El Camino which has been converted to run on wood gas.
Vmoto SCARTT 500cc (2009)
The SCARTT 500cc is a two-seat, highly capable off-road vehicle which has been approved for road use. Produced by the Australian company Vmoto the SCARTT blurs the line between a quad bike and a jeep, and in fact the vehicle shares components and features of both.
The custom chassis of the Vmoto SCARTT utilizes performance Ohlins suspension units derived from quad bikes. Mounted at the rear is a 500cc (0.5 litre) 4 stroke engine mated to a three-speed automatic gearbox. The transmission can be switched between either 2 or 4 wheel drive by the simple push of a button, and there are also high and low torque settings which can be selected depending on the terrain.
Jeep Hurricane (2005)
Helicron No.1 (1932)
L’Oeuf (The Egg) by Paul Arzens (1924)
Electric powered, with a range of 100km at 70km/h
Tango T600 (2005)
The Tango is thinner than some motorcycles and may be small enough to legally ride side-by-side with other small vehicles in traffic lanes in some jurisdictions. Capable of seating two passengers in a tandem seating arrangement, it only takes up one-quarter of a standard parking space and is able to park sideways in many cases. One prototype vehicle has been produced by the company and was shipped to Prodrive in the United Kingdom in January 2005, where the design was refined for production models.
The first model is the luxury Tango T600, costing roughly US$108,000. Premium features partially offset the high cost of the early kit vehicles, which are outfitted with a leather-lined interior and a Alpine sound system. The T200 model is expected to be eventually released at $40,000, while the T100 is expected with a $19,000 price tag. Both of these higher-production models remain to be developed and are awaiting funding.
Lumeneo Smera (2010)
The lumeneo smera is a two seat electric car that has all the perks of your standard sedan in an ultra- compact package. the car concept was recently shown at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. While many automakers were showing off electric versions of their standard lineup, the lumeneo smera rethinks the car from the ground up. The car weighs just under 1,000 pounds and packs a 15-kilowatt electric engine under the hood. When the smera turns corners it leans right into them, twisting on its chassis.
Audi RSQ (2004)
The RSQ concept starred alongside Will Smith in the blockbuster movie ‘I, robot’. It was designed by Julian Honig, a senior exterior designer at Audi, and it made its world debut at the 2004 New York Auto Show.
Batmobile (Batman Begins, 2005)
During the filming of ‘Batman Begins’ the movie makers used 8 different Batmobile’s (called the Tumbler), four of which were drivable and surprisingly rapid. The Batmobiles were powered using 340 horsepower GM 350 V8’s giving them a 0-60 time of around 5.3 seconds and a theoretical top speed of 220 miles per hour. The design is based on a cross between a Lamborghini Countach and a Humvee. The designer actually bought an airfix model of both the Countach and Humvee and played around with the models until the desired look was achieved.
FAB 1 (2004)
For the 2004 Thunderbirds film, FAB 1 was redesigned for the 21st century, and this was the result. 23 feet of carbon fibre and excessive pinkness. The futuristic 6 wheeled Rolls-Royce was built by Ford, and it really drives.