The process of building and designing a new car can be a trying one for any manufacturer who endeavors to try it. However, it's a crucial part of innovation and market expansion in the automotive industry, so it can provide a great number of positives for the company and their technological understanding.
These concepts also spur public interest in potential upcoming models. As such, this was the specific task of the "Vision" series of concept cars. Created primarily to boost innovation and crazy designs in new concept cars. Since the Vision series' inception, there have been countless makes and models with everything from mini-vans to hypercars.
Some get made, while others tapper off into obscurity. Nonetheless, they are still literal works of art that should be recognized by every self-proscribed car enthusiast.
10 BMW i Vision
Few concept cars become confirmed for production later on, rather most are dropped to the side-lines. This was not the case for the BMW i Vision, which BMW head's say will become the next electric car in their "i" lineup: The i4.
The i Vision, or the i4, has a strange design. However, this is not a bad thing. Rather, it's intriguing since BMW managed to make a car that has a mix of both smooth lines, a boxy shape, and sharp accents. When this comes to the market, the odds are it will sell as well as the i8 too.
9 Mazda RX-Vision
After being unveiled at the Toyota Motor Show in 2017, the Mazda RX-Vision was exactly what the J.D.M. (Japanese Domestic Market) community wanted. A rotary-powered successor to the legendary Mazda RX-7 and RX-8.
As far as likelihood of being made, Mazda says they absolutely plan on making it at some point in the future. However, many manufacturers have made similar statements in the past only to renege later. If it does come out though, the RX-Vision will be exactly what tuners have been waiting years for.
8 BMW Vision M Next
Like the i Vision, BMW has come out with another concept centered around a more sporty style and higher top-speed: The BMW Vision M Next. This particular concept is brand-new, being shown off to the public a mere month and a half before the inception of this article.
BMW speculates that the final product (If brought to the market) will have around 600 horsepower, electric features, design queues from what seems like twenty years into the future, and Lamborghini-like doors. No specific numbers have been released in terms of price, but assuming that it will cost a lot feels like an understatement.
7 Toyota FT-1 Vision GT
Before becoming the newest Mark V Supra, it was known under a different name during its concept stages. This was the Toyota FT-1 Vision GT, and it blew just about everyone's mind.
Die-hard Supra fans speculated it would have a new "JZ" designated engine and the classic Supra style too. However, their hopes were diminished when the Supra ended up coming out; resembling more of a BMW Z4 rather than a new Supra.
What truly makes the FT-1 special isn't what it later became, but what it could have been. And it's a tragedy that it never happened that way.
6 Mercedes SLR Vision
Compared to other Vision concept cars, the Mercedes SLR Vision appears to have slightly flown 'under the radar,' per say. Not much was mentioned about it, but multiple designs were drafted for such a car. As a matter of fact, Mercedes never actually commissioned an SLR concept. Instead it was designed by a third-party called "Invisie."
With that being said, it's no wonder why we never saw a new SLR. Especially since Mercedes is now onto the SLS's successor: The AMG GT-R. It's nice to think of the "what-if" scenarios, and, hopefully, Mercedes will decide to bring back the once-great SLR name.
5 Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet
If you're looking for a luxury rival to industry giants like Rolls Royce and Bentley, then look no further than Maybach. Maybach has done many alternative versions to popular Mercedes-Benz models and even created some one-offs too.
Such one-off is the Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet. A convertible high-end luxury Mercedes to give Rolls Royce a run for their money. The famous Mercedes racing driver, Lewis Hamilton, was even speechless when seeing the Maybach Vision 6 Cabriolet in person for the first time.
Once again, this particular concept seems to be more of a pipe-dream, but fingers crossed that we will eventually see Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel in the near future.
4 Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept
Aston Martin has recently unveiled their new lineup of supercars and hypercars ranging from the Valkyrie to the next Shooting Break hatchback. In between all of these, Aston Martin has also shown off it's soon to be made Vanquish as a Vision concept.
Aston Martin appears to have had a great deal of success with the Valkyrie's styling and, as such, have replicated some of it's accents and shapes to the rest of their new vehicles. The new Vanquish Vision almost seems like a toned-down version of the Valkyrie concept when it was still called the AM-RB 001.
With the new Vanquish, Aston Martin hopes to take the fight to brands like Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche.
3 Mercedes-Benz EQ Vision Silver Arrow
If you haven't noticed, Mercedes appears on this list frequently. This is no mistake, as their Vision concepts are some of the boldest and beautiful designs to this day. The exact same thing can be said for the EQ Vision Silver Arrow.
Not only is it nicknamed the "Silver Arrow" after Mercedes' F1 team's name for their race cars, but the EQ Vision also slightly resembles an open-wheel F1 car (Especially F1 cars from the '50s and '60s). Once again though, the EQ Vision Silver Arrow seems like another art project; never to see the light of day, except for in a museum.
2 Nissan Vision Gran Turismo
Nissan has quite a history with the famous PlayStation series Gran Turismo. They've sponsored the game, hosted competitive events, offered pathways for gamers to become racers, and even put out vehicle designs on the platform. The Nissan Vision GT (Gran Turismo) was just that; having its first appearance in the virtual world.
With its tremendous success in Gran Turismo and uproar from the fans, Nissan took it upon themselves to make a real-life concept under the Vision name. Nissan never really intended to make the Vision Gran Turismo, rather show off their potential and technological prowess. Nonetheless, it's neat to see what they can do an imagine what the next few decades may hold for car lovers.
1 Bugatti Vision GT
Like the Nissan Vision Gran Turismo, the Bugatti Vision GT got its roots from the Gran Turismo video game series when Bugatti decided to partner with the platform. Once again, the Vision GT became a physical car, and this time it actually drove.
In fact, the Bugatti Vision GT was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show to later be sold for around $18 million. Only one was ever made and it was quickly snatched up by a middle-eastern millionaire (Who also has the standard Chiron base).
It's one thing to have an interesting/good looking idea or design, but it's a whole different matter to really bring it to fruition and even sell it. Bugatti has done exactly that and the Vision GT will be remembered for years to come.