Love/Hate Relationship with Concept Cars

Concept cars are awesome. Automakers get to showcase the latest and greatest features, while at the same time innovating the next generation of vehicle specifications. As cool as concept cars are though, the version that eventually makes it to production is usually a watered down shell of what could have been the greatest thing ever. An epic concept with a revolutionary car navigation system that integrates with your smartphone turns into a base production model  that you feel lucky they included a car CD player in. Lame.

 

Lamorghini Spiga concept

 Still, even getting to set eyes on some of these is worth it. Just look at this Lambo Spiga concept. Its wheels look like a revolver chamber. The world is a cooler place because this exists, even if no one will get to drive it. Hopefully they will take feedback from what people like about these cars, and incorporate it into later production models. Even if they don’t, making concepts allows automakers free reign to design new crazy features and innovate the most cutting edge technology for automobiles today.

 Even better, occasionally a company will sell a concept car so at least a tiny handful of lucky people get to drive it around. This was the case with the Ferrari Avendator J we wrote about the other day. They only sold the one unit they made –to the tune of 2.8 million dollars – but someone gets to take it home and put it in their garage. Same with FAB Design’s take on the McLaren MP4-12C Terso on display at Geneva this year – they’re making and selling five units, so a handful of people can create an extra-exclusive cool kids club of vehicles that storm troopers drive.

These are not the concepts you're looking for.

 All in all, even with the frustration of knowing they won’t make it to production, concepts are an interesting and necessary fixture in the auto industry to push the limits and discover new technologies. Even if we don’t get the chance to drive these ourselves, at least we can admire them and hope the features we fall in love with will make it to production someday. How do you feel about concept cars?

The Detroit Auto Show is in Full Swing

On Monday one of the most important auto shows in the US got underway. This is not just a time to show off in-dash navigation screen systems and car radio units that are smarter than the average college grad. No these shows are about all things new and automotive. Each year the Detroit Auto Show is the spot where the car industry strut’s their stuff for the US audience. Not only do they show what they can do but they also show what “you” as a consumer can buy.

Honda came in with new models under the Honda name as well as some updated Acura models.  Over the last few years the Honda models have become kind of stagnant, boring style and out dated looks. The reveals of two of their major designs may have changed that, the Accord Coupe and TL Sedan both got a major 2012 update, which looks great. Chrysler showed off a number of new updates for current models, the 200 got the super S pack which seems to be the closest thing to a tuner package Chrysler has ever offered.

Chevy stepped into the arena with a few concept cars that are supposed to be aimed at the younger crowd. While they are unique, I think many car companies forget that a car has to look good before it can be “cool”. The example of this sis the 130R and the 140S which both are supposed to be hip…but are not good looking. This is an issue that many car companies run into, in concept vehicles or production.  Toyota and Subaru are a great example together they created the FT-86 concept. A great looking 2 door coupe but once it hit production it had been so toned down and softened it just blend into the car world like a failed Taurus model.  Mini stopped by to show off the Mini coupe convertible which looks great while Cadillac showed off their new 3 series competitor.

The show continues till the end of the say today and gives the people of Detroit the chance to get an up close and personal look at the ideas coming up for grabs. Not only could people see the concepts but they also get to give input and change how the future of the automobile will change.