concept flashback

1965 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Type 1 Concept - Amelia Concours 2019 11

1965 Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Type 1 Concept – Amelia Concours 2019

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It was delightful to have the classic VW class this year at the Amelia Island Concours. Among the notable Vee-Dubs was this rarely-seen 1965 concept for the second-generation Karmann Ghia. Ghia styling studio assigned the project to an up-and-comer named Giorgetto Giugiaro — and the resulting design was decades ahead of its time. From the curvi-linear surfaces to the flush-mounted lighting, this Karmann Ghia must have looked positively bizarre versus the teacup shape of the original. But there was genius in this design, albeit perhaps too futuristic to be viable. Favorite elements include the sleek roofline, targa top and very …

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Concept Flashback – 2011 Unimog 60th Anniversary Design Concept

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While we’re in the Unimog mood, here is a fun look back to the recent past for the 60 Years design concept. This sought to strip the Unimog to its core, function-required elements. Enhancing the insane wheel travel and semi-flexible chassis with showy red springs visible easily through the giant front fender/hood combination. Deconstruction and modernization are the clearest themes visible in this design. The bodywork is pared to the bare minimum, while the roll cage for the passenger cell becomes the only structural element of the open-air cabin. Similarly flowing new frame rails swoop upward around the rear suspension …

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Concept Flashback - 2006 RINSPEED ZaZen is Porsche 911 with Clear Bubble Hardtop 54

Concept Flashback – 2006 RINSPEED ZaZen is Bubble Hard 911

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This concept from RINSPEED in 2006 is actually quite magnificent. A clear polycarbonate hardtop and a variety of innovative supplier solutions round out what is a very intriguing concept car from RINSPEED. The rear fenders and nose treatment with Ferrari 612 lighting elements are very interesting, but the RINSPEED ZaZen is absolutely hideous from the pure nose and tail angles. An unusual and sloppy mess of amateurish block shapes. Other lighting by the huge list of experimental parts suppliers are more special.  Diamond-cut glass for the brake lights is intricate, beautiful and very special.  The LED laserlight CHMSL is notably …

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2010 Red Bull X1 Launched Gran Turismo As Ultimate MMO R&D Engine

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As we look to the future of disruptive, breakthrough innovations in racing — it helps to start with a blank sheet of paper. This is counterintuitive, of course, versus the typical half-step of evolution among all species — racecars included. What is needed to deliver the TV ratings and championship trophies all race series crave? Speed, beauty, drama and technical innovation. There must be balance between outright speed, sound and safety. In short, a revolution is needed to put put racing into hyperdrive. The world championship Red Bull and Vettel pairing from 2010 provided a clever look at priorities of …

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Concept Flashback – 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight in 88 Photos!

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Racers worldwide have made lightening Mazda MX-5’s more than an art or craft: there is a science to shedding grams and gaining pace. This 2009 concept from Mazda’s European R&D center is a serious and comprehensive speedster conversion and custom strip-out. Once totally bare, the full MX-5 Superlight was resprayed in a Japanese Racing white pearl. The color and the contrast details for the hood and double bubble rollbars make the MX-5 Superlight’s proportions even more intensely rear-drive. A favorite detail is the brake light LED lining those integrated roll hoops. 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept …

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Update1 – 2004 Chrysler ME 4/12 Was Quad-Turbo V12 Hypercar

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Updated 1.5.15 With 30 Extra Photos It is hard to go wrong with mid-engine hypercar concepts, and this one is no exception. There are really interesting and lavish details throughout, the success of which led to the long-running hood strakes in many production Chrysler models. Little else from this quad-turbocharged V12 concept made it to the roads, but the ME Four Twelve concept capped a record number of concept cars for Chrysler under Daimler. The company released at least three wild concepts ever year between 1999 and 2004, but none are as desirable as this car. Or, in fact, the …

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2004 Dodge Sling Shot

Concept Flashback – 2004 Dodge Sling Shot Was Rear-Engine Turbo Targa

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More concept Dodges! The 2004 Sling Shot was a styling exercise investigating how a Dodge version of the recently-launched Smart Roadster might look. Production plans were ultimately shelved for both Sling Shot after, it was rumored, not even the Smart version could pass US crash testing rules. The shared platform means a turbo triple lived under the trunk in back.   2004 Dodge Sling Shot  

2005 Chrysler Firepower

Concept Flashback – 2005 Chrysler Firepower Was HEMI Viper With An Automatic

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As we wrote that headline, it seemed to come across as a scoffing sacrilege to have a Viper chassis with a V8 and automatic. But truly, the opposite is true. The Firepower’s time has come. Three reasons: — Corvette sales this generation have been split 70/30 in favor of the automatic transmission. —-> Viper does not offer an automatic — For nearly all owners, a 6.1-liter V8 would be more than plenty to give true supercar performance —-> The Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 is a major cost center for the vehicle, which in this generation stickers from $100,000 and up. — …

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ez miev

Concept Flashback – 2006 Mitsubishi EZ MiEV

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  If the Concept D5 Mitsubishi van represents a hard and blocky view of the future, this EZ MiEV is a much softer look into next-gen van style and tech.With its ultra-rounded and white pearlescent exterior features, the resemblence of this concept to the iPod from Apple is intentional. But things in this bubble van are just getting started with the exterior design and wrap-around glass. With a flat-battery platform an in-wheel electric motors, the EZ MiEV takes cabin versatility to a whole new level. The seats fold to form a full eight-foot bed with room for two adults. The …

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aerotech II

Concept Flashback – 1992 Oldsmobile Aerotech V8 Delivered 270MPH VMax

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aerotech II

The first Aerotech concepts from 1987/1988 aimed to launch the new Quad4 engine with a bang: via a hypercar record-breaker with amazing low-drag and lightweight design.

The two original Aerotech concepts showed exciting design ideas for 1990s GM models like the Camaro and Firebirds of 1992, plus some cool cabin tech like a clear heads-up display panel and single-seat layout.

The third goal? A really cool Oldsmobile brand builder.

This was even more sought-after in 1992.

Oldsmobile updated and revamped the Aerotech to include modern shrouded lighting, an even more streamlined design, and more pronounced Oldsmobile branding. This resulting car had a big secret under its huge canopy, too.

Instead of the Quad4 engine that achieved more than 260-mph in 1987, the AeroTech II debuted the 4.0-liter V8 Oldsmobile had up its sleeve for the Aurora launch in 1994.

The design of the Aerotech can clearly be seen in the Aurora sedan, and helped that high-priced model receive serious launch buzz as a worthy Cadillac and Lexus rival in the mid-1990s.

As a spotters guide: both the long- and short-tail 1980s Aerotech concepts lacked headlamps, while the 1992 is only a long-tail with headlamps.

 

1992 Oldsmobile Aerotech Oldsmobile Aerotech 51 Oldsmobile Aerotech 19 Oldsmobile Aerotech 20 Oldsmobile Aerotech 18 Oldsmobile Aerotech 21 Oldsmobile Aerotech 22 Oldsmobile Aerotech 23 Oldsmobile Aerotech 24 Oldsmobile Aerotech 25 Oldsmobile Aerotech 30 Oldsmobile Aerotech 27 Oldsmobile Aerotech 26 Oldsmobile Aerotech 36 Oldsmobile Aerotech 37 Oldsmobile Aerotech 38 Oldsmobile Aerotech 39 Oldsmobile Aerotech 40 Oldsmobile Aerotech 40 Oldsmobile Aerotech 39 Oldsmobile Aerotech 38 Oldsmobile Aerotech 27 Oldsmobile Aerotech 22

Oldsmobile Aerotech 48 Oldsmobile Aerotech 54 Oldsmobile Aerotech 53 Oldsmobile Aerotech 44

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aerotech

Concept Flashback – 1987 Oldsmobile Aerotech Short-Tail and 1988 Aerotech Long-Tail

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The 1987 and 1988 Oldsmobile Aerotech concepts were a high-speed R&D showcase, branding exercise and new engine launch in one. The hypercar style of the car was a direct result of the engineering goals: to help this 160-horsepower Quad4 engine power the car to a world-record top speed. 160-horsepower? Surely that would never be enough to hit 200-mph? In fact, the car hit 267.99-mph the day before setting the official closed-course world record on 257-mph on August 27, 1987. A short-tail Aerotech ST wears full venturi air channels under a flipped-up and chopped rear end. This short-tail wore a single …

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proxima

Concept Flashback – 1986 Peugeot PROXIMA Is X-Rated Hypercar All-Star

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Concept cars can feel a little like X-rated movies. They are mostly a single-shot affair. One year on the circuit, and they are gone. With so much variety out there, why bother diving deep into an old one? But every once in a while… there comes a concept car so legendary, you could watch it every day and be a happy camper. The 1986 Peugeot Proxima is that concept car. Part LeMans racer, part Sci-Fi fantasy, part Batmobile Tumbler — the Promixa is a stunning piece of design and engineering even 30 years later. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged …

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Concept Flashback – 2006 Peugeot 908 RC Was Rear-Engine V12 Diesel Limo

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Peugeot is one of the most prolific OEMs when it comes to fantastic halo concepts. These very rarely are the lightly dressed-up versions of future production cars that other manufacturers trot out these days. They are pure and simple fantasy looks into the future. Often, though, these concepts are a fun and lavish way to preview actual design themes and styles that will make it to the brand’s mini hatchbacks in the coming years. And so it was with this 908 RC. Running the powertrain of the 908 HDi FAP Le Mans car, the 908 RC shows some slinky style …

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Concept Flashback – 2011 Chevrolet Miray Roadster Was Chevy Europe Halo Sportster

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Chevy Europe! Eeek. Remember that adventure? The ManU jerseys are definitely bow-tie-blazing this year, thanks to a huge a executive media marketing decision that costs General Motors more than half a billion dollars. During that rush of launching Chevrolet as a global brand — including Europe — the Opel Germany teams were suddenly tasked with a variety of extremely mundane projects. One extra sexy spinoff project slipped through the net for Frankfurt 2011, however. It was called Miray and is a breathtaking roadster vision. Designed in the same zeitgeist as the BMW i8 Roadster and Porsche 918 Spyder, the Miray …

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mso x-1

Concept Flashback – 2012 McLaren X-1 Introduced MSO Skills To World … In Hideous Fashion?

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The MSO X-1 customer car from 2012 was a grand intro to MSO at Pebble Beach in 2012 — and boy was it a shocking coming out party. Many were rightly flabbergasted by its design – as though George Jetson had won the powerball. But while the X-1 will certainly not go down in history as one of the most beautiful cars, it did its job of showcasing MSO’s talents very well indeed. Not a panel from the MPF-12C remained on the X-1 — which also has totally unique proportions and a heavy-handed style all its own. The nose is …

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Concept Debrief – 2010 Citroen SURVOLT – Design Analysis in 110 Electrifying Photos

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What makes the 2010 Citroen Survolt such an achievement in sports-car design? Consider that its proportions almost perfectly mirror those of the Lotus Exige — but the curb appeal of the vehicle tells the brain to expect pricing in the $200,000 ballpark versus the Lotus at $75,000. In terms of the Survolt’s mission as a concept car, we can think of the car in the same league as the Ranult DeZir. Part tech showcase and EV R&D tool, part brand roadmap and design superstar. The Survolt found a joyous receptionin 2010 – and four years have done nothing to dull …

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Concept Flashback – Part Two – 2011 Land Rover DC100 Sport

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PART TWO: The DC 100 Sport Let’s start this one off with a look back – at the Defender’s roots as the Land Rover Series I and later the Series II. Here is Winston Churchill with his.       PREVIOUS In Land Rover’s medium-term product plans, the lineup is broken apart into three main groups: Range Rovers, Discoveries and Defenders. Each will bloom into a sub-brand into its own right, as we have seen with the Range Rover, RRS and RR Evoque so far, and the current Discovery Sport replacement for the LR2 in 2015. This leaves the rough-and-tumble …

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Concept Flashback – 2011 Land Rover DC100 in 5 Colors and 67 Photos

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In Land Rover’s medium-term product plans, the lineup is broken apart into three main groups: Range Rovers, Discoveries and Defenders. Each will bloom into a sub-brand into its own right, as we have seen with the Range Rover, RRS and RR Evoque so far, and the current Discovery Sport replacement for the LR2 in 2015. This leaves the rough-and-tumble Defender family as the main unseen item in production form. The best idea of where Land Rover is heading is shown in the DC100 and DC100 Sport cabrio concepts from 2011. As image-builders, the Defenders at present are terrific at bringing …

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Concept Flashback – 2005 Volvo 3CC Was Ultra-Efficient PHEV That Influenced Volt and VW XL1

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A few things come to mind when reviewing the Volvo 3CC concept nearly a decade after its debut in Detroit in 2005 — but the resemblence of the design to the current VW XL1 is the most striking. How similar are these two! Especially in the extreme taper of the rear glasshouse – they could be kissing cousins. Of course, there are huge differences in the VW that materialized five years later: the VW is not a PHEV like the Volvo, nor is it nearly as wide or as practical as a city car. The Volvo shares much of the …

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Concept Flashback – 2004 Toyota MTRC – Off-Road EV Racer With Adjustable Ground Clearance

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Any huge fans of radio-controlled cars out there? Yep, that is what we thought. Almost all of us! The baja racer design of many off-road cars and trucks makes them fast over almost any surface, indestructible and, above all, fun! How to bring that joyful rally racing function to a life-sized prototype? One that can have a wild body shape, self-lifting suspension and a smooth underbody (and big splitters) to maximize downforce? The Toyota MTRC stands for Motor Triathlon Race Car — and employs a variety of very smart techniques for making a life-size RC car. Tandem seating and in-wheel …

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Concept Flashback – 2013 Toyota FT86 Open Concept is Stunning Ragtop

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Is the long-rumored GT86 and BR-Z cabrio dead in the water? That is the strong rumor — which is very unfortunate when reviewing how fantastic the design looks as a soft-top. Shown in Geneva and Tokyo in 2013, the FT86 Open Concept would have some hills to climb as a production car. Pricing would likely top $30,000, which would be a cool $8,000 above the MX-5 at most levels. Additionally, the chassis bracing required would add nearly 200 pounds to the already-slow sportscar. 2013 Toyota FT86 Open Concept  

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Concept Flashback – 2008 Mazda Furai is 450HP, Rotary LMP2 Car That Met Two Tragic Ends

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What were the two tragic ends that met the Furai concept? One: Laurens van den Acker leaves Mazda to take the top design job at Renault, where he delivered the Clio 4 and cars like the Twizy — and has imprinted his influence on ever product since 2010. The tragedy for Mazda’s NAGARE design philosophy is that it was hard to continue van den Acker’s ‘Flow’ themes without the true creator’s presence. So, despite being globally celebrated after its launch in late December 2007, the Furai was fairly doomed from the start. Designed first, and engineered second — the fantastic …

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RINSPEED ZaZen GIF

Concept Flashback – 2006 RINSPEED ZaZen is Porsche 911 with Clear Bubble Hardtop

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This concept from RINSPEED in 2006 is actually quite magnificent. A clear polycarbonate hardtop and a variety of innovative supplier solutions round out what is a very intriguing concept car from RINSPEED. The rear fenders and nose treatment with Ferrari 612 lighting elements is interestings, but the RINSPEED ZaZen is absolutely hideous from the pure nose and tail angles. An unusual and sloppy mess of amateurish block shapes.   2006 RINSPEED ZaZen     Rinspeed “zaZen” Rinspeed and Bayer MaterialScience jointly develop new concept car “zaZen” – Automotive enlightenment on four wheels – Revolutionary lighting technique and transparent hardtop at …

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Concept Flashback – 2005 Volvo XC70 All Terrain and 2007 XC70 Surf Rescue are California Dreams

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Sure, the SEMA show may be physically located in Las Vegas, Nevada. But Volvo certainly had California Dreamin’ on repeat throughout that winter’s day in the Trollhaten design center. The potential of these amazing XC70 lift concepts is two-fold: — shows the potential of the platform to accept a much, much larger suspension, wheel and tire package. Makes Car-Revs-Daily.com Aston ELV8 concept rendering seem almost feasible… 2005 Volvo XC70 All Terrain Concept   2007 Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue Concept  

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Concept Flashback – 1969 Ferrari 512S Coupe Speciale by Pininfarina in Leopard Onesie at Marble Quarry

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This car is RARE! Of course, many concept cars were one-off creations for a specific auto show or other event. And many more are not actual cars at all – they cannot roll on their own power whatsoever. But almost all of them are trotted out of the archives at some point after their initial show. If only to be sold at auction, they are almost always seen again at some point. This allows there to be more photos of the car than just one or two. Cars from the 1960s are almost nonexistent in photos from their original debut. …

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Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo

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Concept Flashback – 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog vs 2014 Aston Martin DP-100 Vision GranTurismo Aston took its future vision and threw it into fast-forward by the mid-1970s and early 1980s. The model range at the time was a mix of the Vantage and the Lagonda sedan – one looking and feeling like it was frozen in 1969, the other, 1999. So one very antiquated, and one ahead of its time. The 1980 Bulldog concept was ostensibly a range-topper; something to leapfrog the competition and bring the Vantage and supercar customer base into a bold and futuristic new decade. Alas, the …

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Concept Flashback – 2007 Nissan Round Box Is Leaf/Cube/iQ Roadster Mashup

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Here is a fun one! Back in 2007, this little city run-about might have earned a photo or two in a small concepts section of our car magazines. At least, this is what I tell myself to justify not remembering it at all! The design is actually pretty appealing in its interpretation of a Scion iQ or Smart Fortwo competitor. The best aspect of the squat aesthetic and wide proportions, which become much slimmer moving from the wheel areas and up into the glasshouse. One element slid through to production almost intact on the Nissan Leaf EV — the headlights! …

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Concept Flashback – 2008 Lamborghini Estoque – Binned In Favor of SUV, But Design Influences Huracan Dramatically

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The Lamborghini Estoque from Paris 2008 created a flurry of media attention and even compelled some eager buyers to put down deposits on the car during the great auto show. Over the next year and a half, Lamborghini evaluated the concept’s production feasibility in detail – bouncing volume and pricing business plans back and forth to the Volkswagen Group board, exploring Panamera collaborations for the platform, and even building out a long-term front-engine GT car plan to accompany this gorgeous four-door to Lamborghini dealerships. This last bit – with a front-engine coupe and cabrio joining the business plan – made …

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Concept Flashback – 1970 Volkswagen Porsche Tapiro by ItalDesign

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A gullwing wedge sportscar for the masses! Before the 914, the closeness of the VW and Porsche teams was evolving fast. To think of the VW name on a futuristic design like this is unreal in 1970 — when the Beetle was just coming down from its all-time sales highs of the 1960s. Porsche was similarly retro at this time, with the 1966 911 being so modern that the 356 was kept in production for a few months to make sure the 911 was well-liked.   1970 Volkswagen Porsche Tapiro

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Concept Flashback – 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo by Bertone

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These ‘Concept Flashback’ articles are like brain candy for me. Hopefully you enjoy them too. This 1968 showcar may have been one of the first to really flirt with wedge and block themes in supercar design – ideas that would be adopted throughout the world’s best carmakers in the 1970s and beyond. As Bertone (pronounced Bear Tony) undergoes a restructuring now in 2014, it is nice to look back at some of the wilder times. This Carabo has more slotted surfaces than anything else on record. Even the headlights are covered in flaps that motored up to show the lighting …

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Concept Flashback – 1991 Audi Quattro Spyder Provides Clean, Modern Design Roadmap for Struggling Brand

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Before Audi was one of the biggest and most-impressive growth stories in premium car sales, there were years and years in the doldrums. Decades, one might even say, if you count the unreliable rotary-engined Audi’s that tarnished the marque in the 1970s in Europe. In America, ever a cash cow for all three German luxury brands,  the Consumer Reports unintended acceleration debacle combined with high prices and few models to see sales dip to just a few hundred units — total — by 1991. More than lavish concept cars as a prize or reward for a job well done — …

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Concept Flashback – 1978 Mercedes-Benz Auto 2000 Is Fastback Aero Limo

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What if aerodynamics took a front-seat for the first time? What if we wanted to maintain all the comfort and luxury of a flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class — while using half the fuel? Engine innovations were progressing rapidly through the 1970s, allowing huge guzzlers to drastically slash their fuel bills almost overnight. But aerodynamics were still a mystery. How to cut drag while enhancing creature comforts and road quietness? Streamline! The Mercedes-Benz Auto 2000 concepts first appeared in 1978, refined over three years, and re-appeared in public fort he 1981 auto show season. The look of a fastback limo was not …

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Photo Polls VOTE For Your Favorite BMW Roadster Design – 328 Hommage versus Vision CD

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PART THREE: How to Make the Next BMW Z4 As Sexy As It Should Be. Okay now! We’ve decided in the previous Concept Flashback articles that both these 2011 BMW concept cars have some unusual bits. They are harder to love than they should be. These are not four-door sedans, or even hot SUVs. These are pure-bred sports cars. Two-seat, rear-drive roadsters. Remember how you felt when the 1994 BMW Z3 came out? That is what we are going for here. An immediately craving. ON TO THE VOTING… Here are two photo polls of the BMW concept roadsters. Including each …

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Concept Flashback, Part Two – 2011 BMW Vision ConnectedDrive is Future-Themed 2016 BMW Z4 Testbed

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PART TWO: First Part is here. And also included at bottom of page below. http://www.car-revs-daily.com/2014/06/20/2011-bmw-328-hommage/ 2011 BMW Vision ConnectedDrive In the previous 328 Hommage article, we outlined all the reasons the current Z4 is struggling to find a sexy new direction for its next-gen model, expected in 2015 or 2016. This pair of concepts from 2011 explore two different paths to luring buyers back into the two-door BMW roadster fold. Let us begin on a positive note: we love the tail of both cars, and like the doors in the Vision Connected Drive. We animated them here sinking into the …

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Car-Revs-Daily

Concept Flashback – 2004 Chrysler ME Four Twelve is Quad-Turbo V12 Hypercar Excess

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It is hard to go wrong with mid-engine hypercar concepts, and this one is no exception. There are really interesting and lavish details throughout, the success of which led to the long-running hood strakes in many production Chrysler models. Little else from this quad-turbocharged V12 concept made it to the roads, but the ME Four Twelve concept capped a record number of concept cars for Chrysler under Daimler. The company released at least three wild concepts ever year between 1999 and 2004, but none are as desirable as this car. Or, in fact, the 2005 Chrysler 300C that would be …

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Concept Flashback: 2012 Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force

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The Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-force concept from Los Angeles 2012 deserves a fresh look, despite its ridiculous name. As part of the annual LA design challenge, the Ener-G truck seemed a bit too whimsical to ever see production. But could times be changing? The Galendewagen must be made until 2017 (I believe) based on a supply agreement with the German government. While keeping production lines open, the luxury G63 AMG is a consistent superstar for the brand. Even if only a few hundred are sold per year – the margins on a $150,000 SUV offer plenty of leverage to keep G-wagon fans …

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Concept Flashback – 1997 Nissan Trail Runner – Inspired Peugeot’s 2015 DAKAR Entry?

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Definitely ahead of its time, this 1997 Trail Runner concept. Nissan was ahead of Jeep and many others who started sensing this small/fast off-roader trend by the early 2000s. Other big guys threw more production muscle to make sketches like this car a real thing, but the results were shockingly-bad from Pontiac and Jeep. Yes, both the Pontiac Aztek and Jeep Compass were, in fact, really cool sketches and designs at first. But they were both D.O.A. in production thanks to tiny tires and no engine power to match the compact off-road racer premise. Time has finally come for these …

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Concept Flashback - 2001 Audi Avantissmo is A8 Dreamwagon

Concept Flashback – 2001 Audi Avantissmo is A8 Dreamwagon… Directly Influenced 2015 Bentley Falcon SUV

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There are shades of the upcoming Bentley Falcon SUV all over this A8 Avantissmo concept from 2001. That is no bad thing! Enjoy this delightful look at superluxury transport – as envisioned in Audi’s 2001 showcar catalog.