Humans have always been fascinated by the future and made great efforts to anticipate and even try to create it in the current moment. In that sense, we are constantly visualizing, imagining, and improving. When we open up our imaginations, some of the wildest ideas come out. One of the ideas that have taken the world by storm in recent years is self-driving.No one knows how soon self-driving cars will entirely take over our roads, but one thing for sure is that great milestones have been made to this effect. There is a lot more work to be done, but the dedication with which automakers are developing ideas to this end is very encouraging. There have been crazy concepts, including flying cars that have been developed, and hopefully will be the norm in the not-so-distant future.This year, most of these cool concepts have been presented at the 2021 Munich Motor Show. The show was a massive success and was THE place to be this year for every true gearhead. It showed us that, despite the slowdown that the world has been handed by the Covid-19 pandemic, automakers have been hard at work developing futuristic concepts, some of which are far beyond our imagination. Let’s check out the top 10 craziest concepts that debuted at the show this year.
9 Porsche Mission R Electric Racer Car
Porsche has borrowed from the world of esports and live streaming to develop its next race car concept. This all-electric car was introduced at the 2021 Munich Autoshow, and Porsche thinks it will be a game-changer in the world of motorsports.
The car will help drivers and fans to interact in new ways. The roof is made of mostly glass, ostensibly to allow fans to view the driver from above during races. It will also have a movable camera on its A-pillar, a mounted camera to help capture the driver’s helmet, and a dashboard cam facing backward. The steering wheel is shaped like a gaming rig and has biometric sensors that keep tabs on the driver’s vitals. This vehicle sprints to 62 mph in a crazy 2.5 seconds and a max speed of 300 km/h, as the electric motor produces 1073 hp
8 BMW I-Vision Circular
Major carmakers are rushing to fill in the electric vehicle void, and European carmakers are not left behind. They are retooling their factories to turn fleets from combustion to electric vehicles, and BMW is doing a lot to be part of the bandwagon. The BMW I-Vision Circular concept is geared towards having a tiny carbon footprint. The car does this even in the most minute production detail, such as having a few laser-etched logos instead of the exterior badges, which will help to reduce the energy and tooling needed to create such badges.BMW also used as little glue as possible, making the vehicle’s disassembly easy for future recycling. The interior lamps are plucked straight from other BMW vehicle parts.
Another alluring feature is that this car isn’t painted. The bodywork is anodized, a process which process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, oxide finish. The rear portion of this car that’s made of steel is heated until it turns blue to make it easier for future recycling. The windshield is the instrument cluster, the rear glass serves as the turn signals and taillamps, and the surrounding windows are touch-sensitive screens that enable entry. The vehicle is designed to be 100 percent recyclable to help in reducing its carbon footprint. It's possibly one of the most amazing products to come out this year.
7 Concept Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV
This vehicle may just be a concept, but BMW says it will possibly go on sale in 2023. It is an incredibly imposing vehicle, and almost every panel is made of chrome trim, from the side skirts, window surrounds to the bonnet, doors, door handles, and 24-inch alloy wheels. This massive SUV has only two back seats to maximize back seat comfort and luxury. There are two champagne glasses, a touchscreen, and get this, a vase between the two seats. The car also has faux-fur instead of carpeting, and the interior is inspired by yachting.
It will also have a big seamless glass screen that will serve as its infotainment system, stretching the expanse of the dashboard. It also has an oval-style steering wheel inspired by a private jet. The electric car is expected to have a range of more than 370 miles.
6 Audi Grandsphere Concept
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This shapely Audi emphasizes the interior of future Audi vehicle cabins and attempts to maximize space. The autonomous vehicle will retract the pedals, steering wheel, and displays to increase the cabin space and give it a feel of a first-class flight cabin. The cabin will be pushed outward semi-spherically to maximize passenger space and give it an open feel.
It will have a cab-forward design but still maintain the sexy long-hood look. The Grandsphere is 211 inches long, 79 inches wide, and 55 inches high, with a massive 126-inch wheelbase and riding on 23-inch wheels. The headlights have specially created units that intersect and look like a pupil on each side, making the car look like it has focused eyes. The doors open in the middle, with the rear doors having rear hinges, and the car has a welcome system that will identify passengers, set up the seats and interior climate to their liking.
5 Hyundai Vision FK
The sports car will produce more than 670 hp and will be able to reach 60 mph in under 4 seconds. The hybrid vehicle will also have a range of over 300 miles. It is a plug-in hybrid, but instead of having a combustion engine, it will have a hydrogen fuel-cell stack.
The fuel-cell stack will convert hydrogen to electricity and be produced in 134- and 268-hp versions, and the car will have a battery-electric power train to power the rear wheels. This futuristic system’s cost will be 50% lower than today’s technology, and the total package volume will be reduced by 30%.
4 GMC Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX
GMC has introduced the Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX that can go over all types of terrain but still keep the cabin occupants comfortable to inspire canyon owners to embrace overlanding. This vehicle is perfect for people who love camping and the great outdoors.
It began as an off-road Canyon AT4 with off-road suspension, Eaton G80 locking gear differential, and a transfer case skid plate. GMC then raised the suspension, adding 33-inch BFGoodrich KM3 tires on 17-inch AEV Creston wheels. The truck has a 10-inch ground-clearance, 27-7-inch degree approach angle, and 32.1-inch water wading ability. It also has extras like wheel flares with integrated task lamps, a fold-out hotplate, solar panels, and guy lines to protect the windshield. The engine is an impressive 3.6-liter V6 producing 308 hp.
3 Daimler-Geely Smart Concept
The SUV smart concept by Mercedes Benz AG and Geely Automobile Group embraces the small and compact car segment, which is growing rapidly. It transfers its compact exterior dimensions and smart design into a new concept that is more technologically inclined. The car has front and rear LED light strips that pulse rhythmically, ambient lighting even on the floor, elegant air vents, and a UI/UX artificial intelligence concept.
It will have a spacious interior due to its wheels at the vehicle’s furthest corners and will be a four-seater with ample legroom and a lot of storage space. It will have a panoramic glass roof that further gives the illusion of more space. The vehicle will also have dynamic handling, a long-life fast-charging battery, and cloud-based updates for the vehicle’s software. It will also come with driver aids and a state-of-the-art infotainment system.
2 Volkswagen GTI BBS Concept
Despite the Volkswagen Golf GTI constantly changing over the years, it still maintains its core attributes. HOWEVER, this VW GTI BBS concept blends certain aspects of the mid-1980s Mk 2 Golf with today’s technology and comes with gold wheels as icing on the cake.
The vehicle has a 2 liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that produces 241 hp and 272 pound-feet of torque. It also has a new Borla exhaust which will add some power and improve the sound. It has 19-inch gold wheels that contain the BBS waffle and hex pattern. The wheels hold Delinmte 235/35/19 D7 tires, and the car is lowered with the tweaked suspension giving the car adjustable camber.
1 Lincoln Anniversary Concept
The concept is the brainchild of student designers at the ArtCenter College of Design and Lincoln, whereby the students created designs that were made into a full-scale model. It is a grand tourer with ample seating for four adults and will focus on digital technology.
This gliding human sanctuary will possibly allow autonomous driving and have a long, swooping profile. The top will have a nautical theme which can be seen in the front and rear. It has two doors but could accommodate four.