Eight Concept Supercars So Outrageous They Frightened Their Own Manufacturers | Carscoops

      We've witnessed countless mid-engined concept cars, but which one disappointed you the most by never making it to production?

       19 hours ago

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       by Chris Chilton

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Concept cars come in various types. Some claim to gauge interest but are actually developed post-production, while others are genuine design studies—extravagant vehicles that will never hit the market but whose aesthetics offer numerous visual hints about the potential future designs of an automaker's production models.

      Also: GM’s Corvette Concept Takes C9 Into Bold New Territory Without A V8

      In between these two categories are remarkable show cars that could have actually been produced and often nearly were. However, development on each stalled, mostly due to budget constraints or company politics, leaving us to ponder what could have been. Let's take a look at some of the most notable examples, and feel free to share your own picks for significant missed opportunities in the comments below.

      1980 ASTON MARTIN BULLDOG

      

      

      

      

       Classic Motor Cars

      

      

      

      Specs: 5.3-liter V8, 600 hp (608 PS), RWD

      Facing severe financial struggles, Aston Martin aimed to produce up to 25 of its twin-turbo V8 wedges, the brand's inaugural supercar, but ultimately only one was completed. Aston claimed it could achieve over 200 mph (322 km/h), a claim only verified in 2023 by the restored vehicle.

      

      

      1985 NISSAN MID4

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Specs: 3.0-liter V6, 242 hp (245 PS), AWD

      We've all heard how Honda constructed a superior Ferrari with the NSX, compelling European supercar manufacturers to elevate their standards. However, if the 1985 MID4 (and the 1987 twin-turbo MID4 II) hadn't been canceled, it could have been Nissan basking in the accolades.

      1991 AUDI QUATTRO SPYDER

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Specs: 2.8-liter V6, 168 hp (170 PS), AWD

      More than 3,000 individuals put down deposits for Audi's anticipated successor to the rally-winning Quattro following its debut at the 1991 Paris Motor Show. Unfortunately, production delays and concerns about escalating costs, as well as the fear that the AWD supercar would harm Porsche's sales, led to its cancellation a year later.

      1995 FORD GT90

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Specs: 5.9-liter V12, 720 hp (730 PS), RWD

      When Ford revealed the GT40 concept in 2002 (and subsequently transformed it into the production GT two years later), it seemed that the updated 1960s design was the only logical approach for a Ford supercar. Yet just a few years earlier, the canceled GT90 showcased an entirely different interpretation, steering clear of retro influences that had not yet become popular, aligning instead with Ford's triangle-focused New Edge design philosophy.

      2002 CADILLAC CIEN

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Specs: 7.5-liter V12, 750 hp (760 PS), RWD

      Cien, which means "100" in Spanish, was a stunning embodiment of Cadillac's angular Art and Science aesthetic, created to commemorate the brand's centennial. GM executives seriously considered bringing it to production, but fears over the discord between a likely retail price exceeding $200,000 and Cadillac's typical customer base resulted in its cancellation.

      

      

      2004 CHRYSLER ME FOUR-TWELVE

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Specs: 6.0-liter V12, 850 hp (862 PS), RWD

      The success of Ford’s revived GT40 concept likely influenced the creation of the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve two years later. The name signifies mid-engine, four turbos, and 12 cylinders, with the engines sourced from partner Mercedes, confirming it was no fictional powerplant. However, the deteriorating Daimler-Chrysler partnership made approving a risky $500k supercar too much of a gamble.

      2011 JAGUAR C-X75

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Specs: 1.6-liter 4cyl hybrid, 850 hp (862 PS), AWD

      Jaguar initially planned to produce the C-X75 as its first supercar in two decades using a wild turbine-powered range extender, but they shifted to a more conventional 1.6-liter internal combustion engine combined with dual electric motors. Nonetheless, it was still set for production—yet it never materialized.

      Also: If You Could Choose Any Cadillac Concept to be Produced, Which Would It Be?

      A small number of prototypes were constructed before the economic downturn halted progress. However,