Coolest concept cars of 2017
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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Concept cars are a chance for manufacturers to offer a glimpse of the future – and 2017 has been a vintage year with a rash of electric SUVs and slippery family cars packed with autonomous tech. The more serious concepts are unveiled at motor shows to test customer reaction, while the crazier ones may grab the headlines, but generally go back to the drawing board.
Car makers listen to the feedback, and if the reaction is good, their creations could well go into production. We’ve taken a look back at the concepts unveiled in 2017 at motor shows, including Geneva, Frankfurt and Tokyo, plus the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas…
Toyota FT-AC
Toyota unveiled the new FT-AC (Future Toyota Adventure Concept) SUV concept at the LA Auto Show in November. It features cameras which are connected to the car’s integrated WiFi system so that it can broadcast off-road excursions live on social media. This could form the basis for the next generation RAV4.
Mitsubishi GT-PHEV
Featuring all-wheel drive, this monster plug-in hybrid will apparently boast CO2 emissions of just 26g/km if it goes into production. Debuting at the Canadian Auto Show in February, its bold front end features Mitsubishi’s “dynamic shield” design that “protects both people and the car”.
Kia Proceed
Fresh from the success of the Kia Stinger, the South Korean company chose the Frankfurt Motor Show to debut its shooting brake Proceed concept. Yes please – it’s even more beautiful than the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake.
Rinspeed Oasis
You can always count on Rinspeed to steal the show. The Oasis has been doing the rounds this year, including the Canadian Auto Show in February, and it’s as bizarre as ever. A self-driving electric concept for the city , it features a small garden behind the windscreen!
Lincoln Navigator
Debuting at the Canadian Auto Show in February, the epic and luxurious Lincoln Navigator Concept has to be seen to be believed. Those drop-down steps and epic gull-wing doors are something else.
Honda Sports EV
This cute electric two-seater with retro looks was one of the big hits of the Tokyo Motor Show. It was only a design exercise, but Honda should definitely make it – we need fun electric cars too.
Volkswagen I.D. Buzz
Volkswagen unveiled a hi-tech version of its classic microbus at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. VW claims the electric “hippymobile” will be able to drive 270 miles on a single charge. Inside, there’s a tablet that can be removed from the console for use at home.
BMW Concept X7 iPerformance
BMW previewed its upcoming big luxury SUV at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At 5020mm in length, 2020mm in width and 1800mm in height, it’s similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover.
Lexus UX
The Lexus UX Concept received its US debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit (January). Things have moved on fast and the SUV has reportedly just been given the green light to go into production.
Nissan IMx
Nissan signalled its intention to launch a 100% electric SUV when it unveiled the IMx concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. Powered by a pair of electric motors, Nissan claims its range will be in the region of 373 miles, plus it will feature autonomous tech.
Mercedes-AMG GT Concept
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and AMG, this stunning four-door saloon concept will battle the likes of the Porsche Panamera and BMW M6 Gran Coupe when it goes on sale, possibly as soon as 2018. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine.
Suzuki e-Survivor
Could this be a pint-sized SUV of the future? It’s an electric convertible with huge ground clearance and it received its world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Peugeot Instinct
Peugeot’s stunning shooting brake was one of the showstoppers at Geneva in March. Fully autonmous, it features a retractable steering wheel and an i-Device next to the central console screen which allows the driver to command the car.
Toyota Concept-i
Toyota’s latest concept car took a bow at January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Self-driving (of course), it also features Yui – Toyota’s artificial intelligence assistant. Toyota says Yui is capable of reading human emotions and, over time, will learn more about the driver and even have conversations.
Mercedes-Benz Concept EQA
The first all-electric concept vehicle from Mercedes-Benz in the compact segment, the EQ is the latest step in the company’s EVe initiative. The aim is to have more than 10 all-electric vehicles on the market by 2022. Good start.
Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e
Bentley chose the Geneva Motor Show in March to unveil its gorgeous EXP 12 Speed 6e electric convertible concept. Compact and sporting an intoxicating mix of the futuristic and retro inside, this could well make it into production if the feedback is uber positive.
Nissan Vmotion 2.0
Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept for “tomorrow’s busy professionals” was revealed at January’s Detroit Auto Show. Not only does it provide a vision of Nissan’s designs of the future, but it showcases Nissan Intelligent Mobility strategy – a zero-emission, zero-fatality future for driving. It won the prestigious 2017 EyesOn Design Award for Best Concept Vehicle.
Renault Zoe e-sport
Renault surprised everyone at the Geneva Motor Show in March with this radical take on the humble Zoe EV. The two-seater Zoe e-sport boasts two electric motors, delivering some 456bhp – that’s good for 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds!
Hyundai FE Fuel Cell
Hyundai unveiled its futuristic FE Fuel Cell Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, looking ahead to the next generation of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Elements of the FE Fuel Cell Concept will influence an SUV Fuel Cell model set for launch as soon as 2018. It will also feature advanced ‘Hyundai Smart Sense’ driver assistance.
Faraday Future: FF91
The world got its first glimpse of the Faraday Future’s first car, the FF91, at CES 2017 in Las Vegas, back in January. With 1050bhp, a range of 378 miles and a 0-62mph time of 2.39 seconds, it could be a Tesla beater IF it goes on sale as planned in 2018.
BMW i Vision Dynamics
Already dubbed the i5, this electric beauty could be in production as soon as 2021 and it will have a range of about 400 miles.
Honda NeuV
Honda unveiled this concept car with artificial intelligence at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Apparently it can autonomously pick up and drop-off other passengers when the driver isn’t using it.
Toyota i-TRIL
Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the all-electric Toyota i-TRIL concept has a one-plus-two seating layout and features Active Lean technology, similar in concept to that used by the Toyota i-Road. It could be a viable alternative to city cars in the future.
Subaru Viziv-7
Viziv stands for “Vision for Innovation” and this bold concept provides a hint of the Japanese car maker’s upcoming seven-seater SUV.
Renault Symbioz
This head-turner expresses Renault’s “vision of autonomous, electric and connected mobility in the future”. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it’s designed to be “an extension of the home”, using materials and interior furnishings generally found inside living spaces.
SsangYong XAVL
Providing a glimpse of an upcoming seven-seater SUV from the South Korean company, this distinctive concept (with more than a hint of the Tivoli) took a bow at the Geneva Motor Show.
Audi Aicon
Audi’s futuristic Aicon was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It’s a slippery four-door electric concept designed to drive more than 400 miles on a single charge.
Infiniti Prototype 9
No-one said concepts can only be for the road. Infiniti’s awesome Prototype 9, unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance, is an electric retro-style race car capable of a 0-62mph time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 105mph. Modest, but enough performance for plenty of fun.
MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept
Inspired by the original Mini’s victories in the Monte Carlo Rally 50 years ago, this gorgeous creation is track-focused, features a stripped-down interior and is painted in Black Jack Anthracite with Curbside Red metallic accents. Bring it on.
Toyota Fine Comfort Ride
Presented at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Fine Comfort Ride is a hydrogen fuel cell concept. Smart, futuristic and zero-emission, Toyota claims it’s “a new form of the premium saloon”.