Concept cars never go directly into production; in modern times all would have to undergo many changes before the design is finalized for the sake of practicality, safety and cost. A “production-intent” vehicle, as compared to a concept vehicle, serves this purpose. Often radical in engine or design, concept cars use use non-traditional, exotic, or expensive materials, ranging from paper to carbon fibre to refined alloys. Some offer unique layouts such as gull wing doors, 3 or 6 (or more) wheels, or special abilities not usually found on everyday cars. Because of these often non practical or unprofitable ideas, many concept cars never get further than scale models, or even drawings in computer design. More traditional concepts can be manufactured into fully drivable (operational) vehicles with a working drive train and accessories.

The state of most concept cars lies somewhere in between and does not represent the actual final product. A very small proportion of concept cars are functional at all where some cannot move safely at anything above 10 mph. Undrivable “mock-ups” are usually made of wax, clay, metal, fibreglass, plastic or a combination of these.  The drive train is often borrowed from a production vehicle from the same company, or may have defects in design.

After a concept car’s useful time is over, the cars are most commonly destroyed. Some survive, either in a company’s museum or hidden away in storage. One unused but operational concept car that hung around for years in the North Hollywood, California shop of car customizer George Barris, Ford Motor Company’s “Lincoln Futura” from 1954 was given a new lease on life as the Batmobile in the Batman series that debuted in 1966 on the ABC Television Network. Some notable concept cars are Chevy Corvair Monza GT, built in 1962, a mid-engined experimental prototype.  Chevy also had the Corvette Maco Shark which previewed the design of the 1968-1982 production Corvette and the Volt, One of the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle concept cars. The Ford Company had the Nucleon which was a nuclear-powered car.  The SYNus mimics the modern obsession with safety. General Motors had the Firebird, a series of gas turbine-powered cars and Pontiac had the Club De Mer, an all stainless steel sport scar that debuted at the 1956 Motorama. Porsche had their Porsche 989, first 4-door car, a predecessor of the Porsche Panamera. Volvo had the YCC, the first car designed entirely by women. The Lancia Megagamma the prototype for today’s modern MPV minivan and GMC offered the Terradyne, the concept truck said to include an on board 5000 watt generator.

The shape of the vehicle takes you back to the Volkswagen Squareback which was designed in the late 1960’s although this car is more streamlined in appearance. Also different from the Squareback is the lack of edges or beading.

The vehicle is powered by a 45kW electric motor that drives the front wheels. The power source is a lithium ion battery that is sat between that rear axle and the transmission tunnel. The company quote a top speed of 130km/h.

The company are looking for an investor to help make the project a reality and they say that if an investor is found, production may start in 2012.

Mitsubishi have termed the interior ‘cocochi’ which is a play on the Japanese word for cosy. The design is meant to emulate the cockpit of an aeroplane with an instrument panel that surrounds the driver and aids concentration. The door trims feature softly lit LED’s which give the car a sophisticated air.

The vehicle measures 4510mm long, 1655mm tall and 1830mm wide. The wheelbase measures 2630mm for extra stability and the body is metal coloured to give a shell like appearance.

Whilst the car does look plain it is certainly equipped to do the job it was intended and will stand out from other cars in its class. Keep your eye on news from the Tokyo Motor Show if you want to know more.

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The small one-box four-seat design has been inspired by the company’s 360cc microcar that was first debuted in the late 60’s. Although the base design may be old the finishing touches are very futuristic. The car contains some great design touches such as photovoltaic solar panels that supply the onboard battery with charge and seat inserts that are interchangeable. The car also has space to stow away a Honda UX-3 personal mobility device in the passenger door.

Honda have said that whilst there are no current plans to manufacture the EV-N it is testing the reception that the model receives. I will post more on this model when it is officially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The interior incorporates the use of zippers to allow buyers to change the appearance. The cockpit is built around the driver and displays attractive red neon instruments with digital readouts and neon lights embedded to give it a futuristic glow.

What makes this different to a lot of the concepts to be unveiled at Tokyo is that this vehicle is not a hybrid or electrically powered one. The cars power comes from a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine manufactured by Subaru. The power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The whole concept has been designed with Toyota’s ‘Vibrant Clarity’ philosophy in mind. The vehicle has a front cowl that is very low and an extra window below the front windscreen which adds to forward visibility. The rear light clusters are made from see-through LED housings that enhance rear visibility. Electric sliding doors complete the futuristic look and function of the vehicle.

The vehicle is controlled by a joystick which is linked to drive-by-wire technology.  The complete absence of traditional vehicle controls such as a steering wheel and foot pedals place the car firmly in the realms of the future.

Nissan say that the concept is inspired by the freedom and agility that motorbike riders enjoy. The narrow vehicle measures 3.1M in length by 1.1M in width. The vehicle cocoons the occupants safely in a tilting cabin which leans by as much as 17 degrees when cornering. The 4-wheel structure provides amazing stability however.

Nissan’s Main Project Design Director, Takashi Nakajima says that the car looks ‘soft and sleek and appears to be protected by a special armour.’

The Land Glider is a concept car but Nissan talk of ‘a new era of mobility’ and this vehicle should not be taken as a mere design study. This car shows the direction in which Nissan’s smaller vehicles may be headed, we may see vehicles like this on our roads sooner rather than later.

To add to the confusion, earlier this year a new Lamborghini Estoque concept was spotted in Germany.

The model would do well within the current line-up Lamborghini have on offer and could compete with the new 4-door Porsche Panamera.

The car is powered by a 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine that is assisted by Honda’s innovative Integrated Motor Assist Technology. Honda say that the car is very near to the production line and we might see the first models hitting the roads as early as 2010.

The vehicle utilizes Subaru’s 2.0 litre next generation, direct-injection, horizontally opposed turbo charged petrol engine. This engine is assisted by 2 separate electrics motors. At the front of the vehicle will be a 10Kw unit that will be engaged when the car is ascending hills and a separate 20Kw unit at the rear will power the car when the main engine power is not required.

Being a Subaru, the vehicle will of course have All Wheel Drive (AWD) and will incorporate a start/stop system to improve efficiency.