When we consider what we want to see on the road in the future, our answers may differ. Some may want faster, more high-powered cars. Some will think EVs. Others may think of other fuel sources, such as hydrogen. Or some may imagine designs that are economical, not only in fuel consumption but in size.
Even in the last decade, there have been some concept cars released that have shifted our auto futures, such as the AZAPA-FDS, with its ultra-compact size design. Other concepts have shifted our ideas of fuel sources, such as the Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept. Let's take a sneak peek at the concept cars we may want to see on our roads. Of course, some concepts may divide opinion.
10 Lamborghini Estoque
With the Estoque, Lamborghini has taken a new approach, a car designed for versatility, a four-door sedan that is an everyday sports car. Lamborghini's offering of a family car. But it still has the hallmarks of a Lambo, especially with the name 'Estoque' referring to a matador's sword, a bullfighting reference that runs through the Lamborghini brand.
Unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the Lamborghini Estoque is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine, with a long wheelbase but only 4.43 feet high. The Estoque was priced at $230,000.
9 AZAPA-FDS
It may not be a design that appeals to everyone. But think in terms of the future, where the population of our cities will increase and where the economical size of the AZAPA-FDS will not only be needed but will be desired. This highly compact two-seater is about 4 feet tall, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long.
The AZAPA-FDS has a range of 62 miles, fueled by hydrogen, not only enhancing mobility but also environmentally friendly and improving our cities, economizing on space, noise, and energy.
8 Saab Aero-X
Unveiled at the 2006 Salon International de l'Auto, the Aero-X was one of Saab's strategies to explore what the future would look like in terms of not only design but sustainable performance.
Fueled by bioethanol, it offers an environmentally friendly solution to our driving future. Delivering 400 horsepower, the Saab Aero-X is powered by a 2.8 L twin-turbocharged V6 engine, capable of speeds of up to 158 mph, accelerating to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds.
7 Mercedes-Benz F125 Concept Car
The Mercedes-Benz F125 Concept Car is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, running on a 10-kWh capacity lithium-sulfur battery, with a range of more than 600 miles. The 'F' in F125 stands for 'Forschungsfahrzeug', which means 'research vehicle', underscoring the company's intent.
197 inches long and 58 inches high with two gullwing doors, the Mercedes-Benz F125 Concept Car combines fiber-reinforced plastics, aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber in its design.
6 LF-Z Electrified
Lexus has given us a glimpse of their EV future with the LF-Z Electrified, powered by two electric motors, combined with a liquid-cooled 90kWh lithium-ion battery, delivering 536 horsepower with 516 lb-ft of torque.
The LF-Z Electrified is part of Lexus' plan for 2025, where they plan to introduce 20 new or improved models, including more than ten electrified models, including plug-in hybrids, and full-electric vehicles.
5 MG Cyberster
The MG Cyberster was unveiled, ahead of the Shanghai Motor Show. Inspired by the classic MGB, retaining its long bonnet, this sports car can move, able to accelerate to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds. But the MG Cyberster also moves us into the future, with features like a gamepad steering wheel and a digital cockpit.
The MG Cyberster is an electric roadster, with a maximum driving range of about 500 miles, having been described as the world's first pure electric supercar fitted with a gaming cockpit.
4 Hyperion's XP-1
Claimed to be the world's first hydrogen-powered supercar, the Hyperion's XP-1 has been touted to reach 60 mph in 2.2-seconds with top speeds of over 220 mph, weighing in at an incredible 2,275 pounds.
The Hyperion's XP-1 reportedly has a range of over 1,000 miles on one tank of hydrogen. The aerodynamic features cannot be ignored, including 'air blades' on either side, not forgetting the incorporated solar panels.
3 Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept
The Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept was designed by Loren Kulesus, a futuristic concept, powered by Thorium, which is not only economical, environmentally friendly but more plentiful than say uranium, with one gram producing more than 7,500 gallons of gasoline.
The future of our fuel sources is front and center of car design. The Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept can run for a century without refueling. Cadillac has certainly re-imagined our auto future.
2 Genesis X Concept
Genesis Motor is a South Korean car company, a division of Hyundai Motor Group, founded in 2015, with its first model being the G90. The Genesis X Concept has been described as a sensual and clean design, incorporating a two-line theme.
The Genesis X Concept incorporates a sensual silhouette, especially with its distinctive headlamps and shield-shaped Crest Grille. The interior includes bucket seats with four-point seat belts and using upcycled materials, such as left-over leather pieces, a nod to a more sustainable future in the automobile industry, with its focus on eco-friendliness.
1 Hopium Māchina
Olivier Lombard, the youngest winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, was the visionary behind the Hopium Māchina. According to the official Hopium webpage, this revolutionary, hydrogen-powered luxury car hopes to deliver "a neutral carbon footprint, exceptional autonomy, and a record-breaking charging time."
The Hopium Māchina is touted to deliver 500 horsepower, with a range of over 620 miles and a top speed of 143 mph, presenting a clean, aerodynamic design. With so many new concepts on display, such as the Hopium Māchina, with the advancement of so many eco-friendly options, the future of the automobile looks bright.