Which Concept Car Are You Glad Didn't Make It to Production? | Carscoops

      Some concepts are impressive, and we wish they could be seen on our roads, but there are many that we’re relieved never received approval.

      Concept cars provide designers with the freedom to break the rules and experiment with unconventional ideas. Some become revolutionary, while others simply miss the mark.

      When it comes to concept vehicles, automotive designers resemble children in an art class who can splatter paint without concern for mess. They bypass crash tests, safety requirements, and the engineering limitations that render production cars, well, mundane.

      They have the liberty to unleash their creativity, leading to astonishing outcomes at times, while other designs should have remained just sketches. While some concepts evolve into legends, many leave us questioning how they were ever approved. Today, we want to know which concept cars you’re grateful never reached production.

      Take, for instance, the latest official Corvette concept; it is visually striking, but interestingly lacks a V8 engine. In fact, it has no combustion engine at all, and undoubtedly, some enthusiasts are not pleased with that. They must be content that this remains merely a design experiment (at least for now). As you can see, we're not restricting our discussion to design solely. The concept from GM UK is impressive, but an all-electric Corvette isn’t exactly appealing to a true petrolhead. This isn’t the only case of this nature, though.

      Consider the Bertone Genesis. It boasts a Lamborghini V12 under the hood, which is fantastic. Additionally, it features gullwing doors. Sounds better and better, right? Except it has a minivan body. Yes, that’s correct: Bertone concluded in 1988 that the world required a Lamborghini-powered one-off minivan with gullwing doors. Although I appreciate fast wagons, there’s no reason for this to have ever existed.

      Next up is the Buick Signia from 1998. It can be seen as a crossover before the term was fashionable, but it extends far beyond just ordinary functionality. It’s essentially a Park Avenue from that era, but equipped with all-wheel drive, an exceptionally tall cabin, and a hatchback paired with a Mini Clubman-style tailgate. The design resembles a mixture of a Daewoo and a Pontiac Aztek. While the concept appears intriguing, the execution is poor.

      Just take a look at the rear of this vehicle. It features a stunning wooden bed floor that can slide out to enhance its utility. I'm not entirely convinced, but the idea of a highly polished bed surface designed for utility seems contradictory.

      And we haven't even discussed the interior yet, have we? Every part of it is amusing, from the Star Trek-like dashboard to… is that a golf club head serving as the gear shifter? Apparently, it is. Ultimately, the result is chaotic, and I’m quite thankful that this design didn’t influence actual automotive production.

      It becomes clear that while the components matter, execution is equally crucial. At the end of the day, though experimentation is essential for advancement, some ideas are better left as designs on paper. So, what about you? Which concept are you glad remained in the design studio and didn’t transition into a production vehicle?