The Concept Car is a Tired Concept

"Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez" (apidaonline) 03/27/2014 at 00:28 • Filed to: concept cars

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Once upon a time, the idea of the concept car was understood as an expression of what was theoretically possible, what the future might look like when automotive dreams ran wild. These often impractical concepts stirred the imagination and the soul and set consumers to imagining the impossible. There was a time when the concept car was a real thing. I can't be alone in thinking that time has passed.

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Contemporary concept cars aren't flights of fancy and evolutionary dead ends any longer as; instead, they have been reduced to little more than clairvoyant prophets forecasting the immediate future with incredible accuracy. They showcase what a new headlight treatment will look like, in a generation or two, or they tell us what sort of design cues are going to remain and what is going to change. Not to put too fine a point on it but watching the big names roll out their newest ideas is a lot like watching paint dry, for the most part. I can't be excited about a new Camry or Accord and there are probably others like me.

However, every now and then something truly amazing sneaks through the gaps and the market reacts with overwhelming positivity. Polls, opinions and internet hacks will support the concept and promote it across their blogs and articles only to in turn see those ideas, those concepts, fail to make it to market and be consigned to the depths of indifference. Instead a look at the future of bland, the future of boring, is offered up. I just can't believe some of the great ideas that never see the production line.

Cadillac is renowned for its ability to conceptualize exactly what customers want and then not deliver. From the Sixteen to the Ciel, to the Cien, to the Elmiraj, Cadillac has been continuously teasing us with what could be, but isn't, even though it already runs and drives.

Clearly no one wants these things to exist.

They do have a couple recent smash hits to their credit in the ATS and CTS but with a name like Cadillac, not having an outrageous land yacht in the line-up seems almost sacrilegious particularly when that brand stood head and shoulders above the competition during the heyday of concept cars.

The cheese-hating Top Gear presenters loved it, but Americans can't bring themselves to make it?!

Another GM brand that struck gold was Chevrolet with the Code 130 R. This would have been a small, rear-wheel drive platform which, when it made the rounds a few years back, was met with enthusiastic reception and would have been excellently positioned to capitalize on the demographic crying for exactly that; a small 2+2, rear-wheel coupe – most of whom ended up buying one of the Toyota-Subaru twins.

It looks like a Camaro and a BMW 1M had a sexy, sexy baby.

But don't for a second think that this a mainly American thing.

This year Kia stunned the car community with the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and the crowds were...um..stung. This beautiful, low-slung coupe proposes a rear-wheel drive platform with the option to row your own gears and it fixes the one issue that Subaru and Toyota haven't in the twins; power. The thing is, this isn't a concept car but an almost production ready example of what Kia is going to offer. Touted about as a concept car, the likelihood is that Kia was merely hedging its' bets on the off chance the market said, "No, we don't want another great looking sports coupe for a great price." This isn't a new concept; it's a proven and accepted idea that's been in production for as long as the horse stopped being a viable mode of transport.

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I don't know the difference between a teaser and a taster anymore, and I certainly can't understand why both are considered concepts.

Automotive manufactures need to realize that customers aren't kidding around and they're not playing games with their money. Their money is every bit as important to them today as it was, if not more so, in the 50's and 60's when concept cars were unmitigated romances between science-fiction and science-fact. Thus, when the public responds with loud and enthusiastic cries of, "Yes, give us that!" they need to capitalize on that quickly and not allow the idea, the concept, to stagnate or worse… dissolve into oblivion.

Or we could just keep making these.

I can't stomach the stuff that people buy these days and I accept that they play a big part in what is ultimately brought to market. The modern concept car, as a concept, needs to be re-conceptualized. Design house projects, both those of the recognized type and those seeking recognition, flood the internet. With the advent of 3D printing, many of these shapes are given form in reality. These artistic sculptures could easily be considered the concept-cars of the day as few run and fewer are intended for production given that their very nature belies their function as cars. Meanwhile, the modern concept car – used as little more than a compass to guide the brand through the next one, or two, generations of that platform – needs to be recognized as what it is and that's your next, boring appliance. A third category, one into which the likes of the Code 130 R and GT-4 Stinger should be lumped, would truly test the waters with production-ready testers not unlike the taster's at your favorite grocery store.

I can't sit back and watch auto-manufacturers call every new thing a concept, as if it's some cutting edge revolution instead of accepting what it really is and marketing as such, "Dear customer, this is your next car… unless you really like this one but you can't have that one over there because it's made of clay."

There is no question or doubt that production responds to market demand and when consumers overwhelmingly purchase a particular type of product it's only logical for the market to follow suit with additional, similar products. There is no question that the car buying public commands buying power and there is also no question that this power is being misused and abused both by the customer and, to a larger extent, advertisers. The implication here is that if consumers stopped buying vehicles as appliances, the world would be a better place but perhaps that's a discussion for another day.

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wiffleballtony > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 02:15

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I dislike concepts for the very reason they have no requirement to follow safety regulations, emissions standards or the laws of physics. As such the cars are either an expression of design language and ultimately useless to anyone but the auto journalist industry or merely a beta version of an actual car.

I hate to nitpick but the GT4, if it comes to market will likely be less outrageous than the concept. The designers themselves state that they haven't accounted for pedestrian safety so the front end and probably signature cockpit will be altered. The chasis doesn't exist outside of this as a one off. Likely it will be based on the Genesis as Kia is unlikely to develop a new chasis for a single model in their first foray. I hope I am wrong but I doubt it.

Jayhawk Jake > wiffleballtony 03/27/2014 at 07:45

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I think you're wrong on the last point. Kia will develop a new chassis for that car if it comes to market IMO. They've wanted to differentiate themselves from Hyundai for a while, and in the past there's been talk of them saying they'd like to be the sportier brand. This would be the way to do it.

There's talk of them doing a 3 door Soul, finally. Hopefully with the 250hp AWD proposed for the Track'ster

macanamera > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:34

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Concept Cars:

"Is this what you guys want?"

"omg yeah!!"

"SUCKS, BRO!" *high five*

ohnoitsnick > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:37

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moralderpitude > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:40

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You could change the topic to "Are Supercars Totally Played Out?" and have the same discussion.

dr861 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:42

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I think the wildly-out-there concept is dead. It's just a waste if it won't even be close to being made. Who's going to own these cars? Jay Leno? I don't have the type of money to seriously consider one offs from car companies. They're pretty, and they excite children, but if it looks too wild, it almost never happens.

Pdexter > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:42

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If anything I'm huge fan of the current concept trend. There's now less of the totally out there concepts, that most of the concepts used to be. Now they are more about getting us accustomed to new design language and getting initial feedback. Something like Mercs F800 concept really was a announcement of Mercs new design language for example. I find that more interesting than just tens of concepts that go nowhere.

Those totally out there concepts have a bit more of a impact than they used to not long time ago.

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:42

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I got the feeling that the 130R was panned, maybe because I liked it and thought everyone should. Was this not the case?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:44

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I like concept cars, however there are a few classes of concept cars:

A: Ones designed to be production cars, these are totally feasible and usually just showing off little design things they have planned or are checking out. Pontiac's 300GPX is a good example:

B: Modified versions to show what people could possibly do with a platform. These are typically seen as current models to give people an idea of how they can make a vehicle suit their tastes and gain notice, see the Ram Runner:

C: Cars that are experimenting with design style, these aren't going to be production cars, but are seeing what design cues work for people and what don't. They COULD become production cars (see: Dodge Viper), but very rarely do. See the Pontiac Banshee.

D: Dream cars. These show what designers would love to do and work as engineering exercizes and as a way to communicate that their designers do have dreams and imaginations and occasionally bits and pieces here and there do make production cars, but usually it's just a way to reward designers to let their dream come true just a little bit.

TheCraigy > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:44

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I like concept cars. It's interesting to see your brand's design ethos, what your marque is supposed to stand for, where the brand is going in the future. I know it's not a car that I'm going to be able to buy, but it's interesting and sparks emotion.

I don't like concept products, or rather concept cars that are clearly designed to look like something they could sell us, but won't. Please, only show me a concept of a production car if there's a real likelihood that it'll hit dealer showrooms. Otherwise I lose excitement for everything else your brand tries to sell me, presently and in future concepts.

Ry-bones, FiST pilot > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:45

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Wanna know what is really played out? The color silver, in all it's shades. Efuckinnough already.

Rockchops > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:45

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I maintain this is one of the best looking concepts (or any car really) to hit the show circuit in the last 20 years, hands down. There are other good ones but holy shit does this look awesome.

deekster_caddy > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:46

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This is the last concept car that really caught my eye:

and I did buy one, albeit 7 years later and looking vastly different.

But everybody knows the appearance of most concept cars is just to see what they can do, what might come someday. The underlying technology, though, can indeed come to fruition. It's the promise, expectation, hope of what will come that's most intriguing about concept cars to me. My question is whether or not they belong at a manufacturers/production style auto show or whether there should be a 'concepts' show, just bring them to something like the SEMA show.

wingsfan5 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:47

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I was just at the Walter P Chrysler Museum on Monday and I thought it was great to see concepts. Granted a lot of those were ugly but imagine what they could do now!

GuacamoleFire - JRCC > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:49

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NO, Concept cars are awesome.

'nuff said.

MRobin723 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:51

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Concept cars are like strippers at the strip club; they suck you in on sheer appearance but you can't legally take them home after. Cadillac should have built a scaled down version of the Sixteen. I know they were about to greenlight it but the bankruptcy happened and people demanded greener cars. They should still build a toned down version with a V8. Same with the Cien. That should be a no brainer. Sell it above the corvette and have it compete with the Audi R8 and Ferrari California. Give it a V8 instead of a 12 and call it a day. I know people will cry "NOOO YOU CAN'T MAKE IT BETTER THAN THE CORVETTE" and to them I say that look at VW. They have several brands with sports cars in the same segments and they still are doing just fine. The world will not end. I would talk about Lincoln but that would be beating a dead horse.

MRobin723 > Rockchops 03/27/2014 at 10:53

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Saw this in person once and it is phenomenal. They should make it and slot it above the corvette. Stupidity is what prevents these from being made.

extraspecialbitter > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:54

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still waiting...

Cixelsyd > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 10:55

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You forgot a category:

E: Subaru concepts that look totally awesome and totally feasible, but actually have no chance of ever being made.

Vin > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:56

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If you as an automaker don't plan on bringing a concept to production, or don't plan on giving us the ability to buy one-offs (at a premium, of course), then don't even bother showing them.

Buckus > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:56

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I believe concepts, even pie-in-the-sky concepts, are valuable. It lets us flex our imaginations and wonder "what if." For example, Star Trek communicators. What if? Now we have them (cell phones) and they're EVEN BETTER than the TV concept. Except for the ass-gouging data pricing plans, but I digress.

It's important for us as a species to reach out to the limits of our imaginations and ponder "what if we could put jet engines in cars?" or "what if we wore a camera all the time that could be controlled by our voice?" The concepts might never be realized. They might not be realized in the lifetime of the concept's imaginor. But somewhere down the line, a kid who saw the concept might make it real. Or that kid's kid.

Da Vinci had all sorts of "concepts" that never went anywhere while he was alive, but he essentially described the modern helicopter.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Cixelsyd 03/27/2014 at 10:58

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I believe they typically fall into groups B and C.

Sky Blue > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 10:58

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I don't care what anyone says, but when it comes to these fine examples, I haven't lost faith in concept cars yet because of these fine examples of a few of my favorites:

(the power numbers and figures for this car alone are ASTOUNDING ^^^)

Brembo brakes and IRS?!? 5.4L Supercharged V8 in a Mustang?!? Because of this car, we have that now.

They show what CAN happen! They're also a great platform to try things out on first. The Mach III was supercharged and would eventually share that same Eaton supercharger with the 03/04 Cobra's. A Mustang capable of 175 mph?!? You'd have to be a lunatic to think of that a decade or so ago, but now with the 5.8L Shelby GT500...it can now achieve over 200 mph!!

SasquatchElvis > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 11:02

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I agree 100%. I see C and D as very similar to fashion shows. You're not likely to see that dress on the street, and it'll look really weird on any woman that isn't 6'2 100lbs, but the materials, colors, and themes will carry over into road cars. It's a good way to see what takes off and what crashes and burns without too much risk.

1969GTOJudge > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 11:02

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The Pontiac love made me smile.

ZiptieMcBumper > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 11:04

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I fully understand that, from a manufacturer's perspective, the main point of concepts is to see how innovative design elements and materials can be used in a practical application. Therefore, it's not surprising that concept cars have gotten a lot more "realistic" looking in the past decade or so.

I have no problem with this at all. To me, this means actually seeing the fruits of the designers' labor on an actual car you'll be able to actually buy one day. A lot better than year after year of ugly-ass mid-engined Corvette concepts that (back in the day) we all knew would never happen.

I may be in the minority here, but this:

Looks a hell of a lot more like a car I'd actually like to own than this:

And that 510 concept probably helps Nissan innovate its production models a hell of a lot more than whatever that other thing is over there.

55_mercury > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:05

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The Cadillac examples are extremely frustrating. To GM's credit they've gone a long way to revitalize the brand. The current and upcoming lineup is competitive and contemporary with the other brands in that market segment ( BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc)

However, Cadillac as a brand has not yet attained a level of design and brand imaging that would push them over the top as a standout brand. In order for that to happen they need to introduce something bold, original, and uniquely American. When I saw the Elmiraj and Ciel to me those were EXACTLY the cars that needed to be produced. Yet what we will likely get will be more of the same tasteful, yet understated designs they have been producing of late, which again is much the same as what BMW and Mercedes does and has always done. But Cadillac at one time was world-renown for its unapologetically American designs. If the brand wants to jump to the next level, they have to make a car that carries that sort of DNA.

fredschwartz > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:06

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IDX

Seitz > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:06

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I hate hate hate hate Concept cars. They're stupid, they're made to look ridiculous and unrealistic and frankly, I think they are beyond atrocious.

Give me a car that looks like it could hit the road today, and I'll get excited about it. Something that looks like it would be so fragile that I couldn't take it out of a garage is not something I would want to think about owning, even if it doesn't go on sale.

deekster_caddy > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 11:08

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I agree with you about the types, but when I hear "Concept Car" I only think of C and D. A and B are just 'modified' production or near-production cars. They have their place, but usually aren't the ones that create buzz.

Nate B > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:11

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Concepts would be awesome if the car companies actually had the balls to make the productions like the concept. The concept Volt was pretty cool, but the lame factor rose significantly when the production was released. The new WRX was the same story, but not as bad. Concept cars are pretty much just like Candidate Obama vs President Obama. They look cool, get your hopes up, and promise great things, but are completely the opposite when reality kicks in.

Mustang 'DontHitTheCrowd' GT > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:13

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but even I'll admit it's a huge let down when they don't go anywhere

That is exactly why modern ones are merely steps away from the original - they make them more realistic to appeal to buyers.

leveedog > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:13

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A couple of days ago I started combing through my long lost stash of auto books, put in storage during a renovation. Among the collection, one of my favorites is Weird and Wonderful Autos by Mike Hill. I was searching for this book in particular to present to my 7 year old son. I vividly remember hours upon hours staring at the ridiculous and amazing illustrations of crazy cars, trucks, and whatever they ares packed in the tome. As much as anything, this book made me the car nut I am today. There isn't a single vehicle in the book that could be considered safe, boring, or financially viable. The point of each and every one was to stir the imagination, to amaze, and to daydream. To have fun. That is what the essence of a concept car should be. Turning out a beigebox with a fancy grill and wheels, well that's kicking sand in the faces of all us dreamers. It's the result of weak minded and weak willed individuals who are afraid of breaking from the status quo. The purpose of a concept car is to flaunt the status quo. Not to predict our future, but to theorize about an alternate life.

"Give me your wacky, your bizarre,

Your lads & lasses yearning to dream free,

The wonderful delusions of your furrowed fore.

Send these, the one-off, dead-ends to me,

I lift my lamp beside the garage door!"

SantaRita > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 11:13

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zing!

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > ZiptieMcBumper 03/27/2014 at 11:14

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The Nissan I would lump into category C, while the Cadillac is solidly in D.

472CID > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:16

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Few things :

Honda has been terrible with concept cars the last few years. All of their "concepts" have just been extremely thinly veiled production cars, not everybody is guilty of this.

Most fanciful concepts that do get put into production so poorly (Prowler, Crossfire, SSR, XLR, etc)

Plenty of concept cars do well at exactly what they're supposed to do; create hope and give a glimpse of the future. The real unfortunate part is when the automaker doesn't live up to the hope.

ZiptieMcBumper > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 11:17

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I thought I remember Nissan saying they were very serious about putting the 510 into production within a couple of years.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > ZiptieMcBumper 03/27/2014 at 11:18

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Note that I did say occasionally a C becomes production.

SantaRita > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:23

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I'm pretty sure this Furai is(was) amazing. I don't care that it was just for show. It's a technology case...announcing merely that the possibility of engineering this exists when the reigns are loosened and the bean counters and legislators have all gone home.

A disconnect occurs when we realize we're never going to own one, but frankly it's a lot like high maintenance supermodels... just because I'll never have one doesn't mean wont enjoy looking...and I'd probably never want to deal with one every day anyway.

These concepts that are close to production - they're the do-it-all girl you'd marry and frankly It's wise of manufacturers to align our expectations with what is feasible from a regulatory/pricing standpoint.

HammerheadFistpunch > deekster_caddy 03/27/2014 at 11:23

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Here is what I said 2 years ago, and I still believe it today..

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Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > SantaRita 03/27/2014 at 11:25

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In before pics of charred Furai.

deekster_caddy > HammerheadFistpunch 03/27/2014 at 11:26

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Yup, I like that. At least in this car the tech made it into the production model. I never expected the production version to look exactly like that, although it's not that far off either as concept -> productions go.

deekster_caddy > HammerheadFistpunch 03/27/2014 at 11:26

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Added bonus - your link skips the article and takes you right to $kay's pretty reward!

LongTravel > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:30

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I think you're onto something with the idea that the idea of the concept car is a murky one with varying definitions and executions. The one thing I'd say that you're off base on is that I think you're perhaps over romanticizing the 50's 60's era of concept->production cars based on consumer demand. Even in the instances that it did happen we're talking about a platforms that were so much simpler than today's current autos that it's not even remotely comparable. The reality of the modern automobile is that it takes, at minimum, hundreds of millions of dollars and 2-4 years to develop a single unique model, even with carryover powertrain technology. The days of year-on-year model changes are over butt he result is more performance, safety, and efficiency.

Addressing the Honda-style concept in particular what you see is a last minute preview at a time when, in theory, there could still be a few small tweaks to styling if it's universally rejected. In most cases the automakers are trying to avoid a new-Camaro/NSX type slow burn reveal that drags out over years as the vehicle development progresses. The result is that you get concepts that generally fall into two (and a half) categories. 1) Production intent "concepts" 3-9 months before production. 1.5) Production based "concept" model variants which in many cases require significantly less development than a full platform. (ZXX Chevys, Mugen Hondas, Dub editions, etc) and 2) True concept vehicles which are not based in reality and would require a new development but perhaps serve as a styling direction or to guage interest in a category.

SantaRita > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:40

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Let's be honest - this is probably why we cant be trusted with nice things.

chromecarz00 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 11:54

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Automotive manufactures

Manufacturers!

chromecarz00 > chromecarz00 03/27/2014 at 11:54

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/pedantic

lingenfelter > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 12:07

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I think the days of super-low slung cheese wedges is over (safety/crashworthiness), but reasonable concepts that actually have a chance of hitting production surely still have a place. For the majority of automakers, rolling nothing but actual production vehicles onto auto show floors isn't going to draw the attention that autoshows currently do.

GrauGeist > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 12:14

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I'd like it if more concept cars were put into production when well-received. Even a limited run of Cien / Ciel / Sixteen would be amazing. Caddy could charge Rolls Royce / Pagani prices for a run of 100 and call it a day.

stavros > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 12:17

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As the name goes, I would much prefer to see C and D. But, with the current regulations especially in the US, why even bother showing them off when it is not possible to build it or anything close to it. For example, front bumper height or pedestrian catchers.

ellomdian > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 12:39

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With the advent of rapid concept-to-production processes supported by new tech like rapid-prototyping, concept cars have really split into 2 groups - there are pure design/engineering exercises with very low probability of production (regardless of the functionality of the concept itself,) and there are effectively pre-production concepts, that allow automakers to show something that could legitimately be on the showroom floor in 24 months, and to take away specific things (headlight treatments, etc) that are well received and allow them to tie design language back to the excitement about the concept. The Cadillac 16 is probably the best example of the former, while the Honda Civic concepts are good examples of the latter.

The good news is for a while, companies (particularly Chrysler) realized that if you can produce a small volume vehicle with enough demand, you can afford to feed your 'niche' buyers (think Viper/Prowler/PT Cruiser - at least the first year or 2 of the last one) without negatively affecting your major sellers.

CleverUsername > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 12:47

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We're tired of the bait and switch.

I think manufacturers are finally getting the hint that the public hates seeing a wild concept car and getting excited about it, only to see an incredibly watered-down version hit the showroom floors.

JayHova > Cixelsyd 03/27/2014 at 12:48

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Volvo is another candidate with similar problems.

GreenN_Gold > wingsfan5 03/27/2014 at 13:00

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Jealous. Is it still private events only? Or is it open to the public again?

foxbody > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 13:00

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Here's the process, as I imagine it:

Step 1: Designer gets to make awesome thing. Shows awesome thing to public. Public goes, awesome!

Step 2: Company does one of two things:

1. Says and does nothing more about awesome project, ever.

2. Delivers beige sedan that looks nothing like concept (I'm looking at you, Subaru).

Also. I want a Code 130R in my life, like, a LOT.

foxbody > wingsfan5 03/27/2014 at 13:02

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Hmm - that a Crossfire concept?

wingsfan5 > GreenN_Gold 03/27/2014 at 13:09

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It's still private events only; I had a meeting in there.

wingsfan5 > foxbody 03/27/2014 at 13:10

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Close, the Firepower concept (essentially a Chrysler Viper) not to be confused with the actual Chrysler Crossfire

Xero44 > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 13:32

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As long as cars like this keep getting built....NO!

wiffleballtony > Jayhawk Jake 03/27/2014 at 15:07

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You may be right. Again its just that Kia has zero experience in this market. It would be extremely risky and expensive to do for single low volume car without borrowing an existing design already in mass production to mitigate costs. I think that if the GT4 is made it will share a chasis with the Genesis. Until a second generation and an established customer base. Again just my opinion.

SpikeFiend > CleverUsername 03/27/2014 at 15:12

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Which unfortunately led them to stick with the watered down versions instead of making the wild ones that we all want.

Blakkar > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 15:27

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Concept cars as a concept are NOT played out. But the realities of today, mean that what a concept car is changes quite a bit.

It is first and best to understand that a Concept car is about the idea. It is NOT a pre-production prototype. It is a far out idea, or set of ideas that may not actually be production possible. Styling that is too extreme but can point in the direction a company wants. A technology that is too expensive or too untried even for "cost is no object" super luxury and super sport cars. the list can go on.

But the reality is most of the technology , styling and other stuff these companies can even think of or do is possible now. It's not much of a concept then, its a "Demonstrator", a vehicle the shows off or demonstrates what the company can do.

Also companies are "tightening their belts" or "cutting the fat" so much, or putting so much of their money in other areas, such as R&D, quality control and elevation, research and marketing, and so on, that making "pie in the sky" concept cars just is a non-starter for most companies. Even then its done every other blue moon because the company n question wants to test out whether an idea is viable for market or not, and not "for the heck of it" or because "that would be cool".

Sadly some "why not?" concepts did spawn actual production cars. But those days seem behind us, as companies are running on razor thin margins or running off in directions that prevent them for entertaining their companies imagination.

Until that changes Concept cars are not dead. They are, more often than not, "Demonstrators".

Jayhawk Jake > wiffleballtony 03/27/2014 at 15:28

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I do wonder how good Genesis coupe sales are if maybe they'd replace the Genesis coupe with a smaller model and not lose massive amounts of sales. Co-develop the chassis with Hyundai, but BRZ sized instead of Mustang sized.

Blakkar > ZiptieMcBumper 03/27/2014 at 15:43

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That Concept is the 2009 Cadillac WTF. No, seriously that is its name.

It exists solely as a CG model, likely a student or hobbyist project, or maybe company whimsey, and was the idea for a Thorium (Atomic number 90) nuclear powered Hybrid.

The car, if you could not tell from the name of it, was a gag. It was by no means meant to be a pointer at what Cadillac was trying to do or wanted.

The car that points to what you are saying, that Cadillac ACTUALLY did, would be the 2002 Cien Concept, "XV-12" V-12 engine, and all...

Blakkar > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 15:52

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But then wouldn't Cadillac's Concepts Like the 2002 Cien, 2011 Ciel, and 2013 ElMiraj also fall into your category "C", under your "it might not" provision? Yet those three have been influential in Cadillac's styling direction.

The 1989 Banshee III concept was directly responsible for the Firebird's styling and influencing the rest of Pontiac. So fullfills your Group "C" proviso of influencing style direction, and technically making it to production as a the "Gen 4 Firebird", but is maybe a Group "D", "strictly a dream car", Concept.

Ger > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 16:01

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Designers and engineers didnt get into the car industry to make cost-sensitive SUVs, fascia touch ups for a 15 year old platform, or to design a solution (ie blatant rip off 4 years too late) to brand X's Y-car. Theres too many cost constraints and regulations to make gorgeous works of art anymore.

Let them play and come up with machines that let them practice not only what they were taught to do, but also what spurs their passion.

The Revengel > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 03/27/2014 at 16:10

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I largely agree. One of my all time favorite cars - I'm serious here - is this:

I remember seeing this at the DC auto show waaaaaay back in the day and thought it was neat. Didn't think it would make it to production, but I hoped. I watched this car through it's entire life. From concept, to teaser, to production, to name changes to its eventual passing.

Today, I don't see that happening. Partially because of the economy. Partially because of (IMHO) stupidity. The only thing worse that the spelling of the name Elmaraj is the chance that it won't be produced.

/bitter opinion

Audistein > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 03/27/2014 at 19:30

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The Jag should actually be in category A instead of D. It was basically production ready, they just didn't think they'd find enough buyers to make setting up a factory for a production run financially feasible. Considering how people are snapping up the 918, La Ferrari, and P1; and how this was going to be a few hundred thousand dollars less than those, they were probably wrong but alas, it will now never be. If it was for the severity economic downturn, they would have made this.

MrBowles > SantaRita 04/04/2014 at 15:31

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To be honest, I never saw the Furai as a concept for anything close to production but rather a concept for a racecar

MrBowles > Seitz 04/04/2014 at 15:46

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Show you some concepts that look production ready and don't look "so fragile I couldn't take it out of a garage?" Ok, search the Jaguar C-X75, Nissan 510's, Corvette Stingray from 2009, Chevy Code 130 R, Cadillac Cien/Ciel/16/Elmiraj, BMW M1 from a couple years ago, BMW Vision Connected Drive, BMW 328 Hommage, BMW CS Vintage, and the Bugatti Galibier, just to name a few. And that was excluding ones that hit production like the Porsche 918, McLaren P1, Pontiac Solstice, BMW VisionEfficieny(i8), and a lot more I don't have time to name