Concept
designs
While international motor shows are famed for
prov iding a platform for manufacturers to
reveal new and updated vehicles to the public
for the fi rst time, concept cars are usually
fl aunted too. Often wack y and overtly
outlandish in their design, concept cars are
examples of one-off project ideas used to
showcase the creative and technological
capabilities of a manufacturer. Concept cars are
largely inoperable to the capacity of a
conventional road-going vehicle, and can
appear incomplete, by having no interior, for
example. As mere primitive creations, the vast
majorit y of concept cars never make it to mass
production, though some aspects of their
design and technologies can fi nd their way onto
future iterations of mass-produced vehicles. As
such, while whole concept cars shouldn’t be
taken too seriously by the public, their tech
should: these cars are often clad w ith early
renditions of futuristic tech that
manufacturers intend to refi ne further for
mainstream use. The Chevrolet Volt is perhaps
the most famous example of this: debuting at
a 2007 show as GM’s fi rst interpretation of a
plug-in vehicle powered by an alternative fuel
source, a much-rev ised Volt sur v ived full
preproduction testing and made it to
showrooms worldwide by 2012.
4
After several prototype cars are
tested and fi nal engineering
tweaks made, the fi nished
product is released.
1
The basic proportional
design for how a vehicle
will look is drawn by
hand by an artist.
2
A detailed 3D
rendering is then
made by a team of
digital designers.
3
In the design room, the
bodywork is sculpted by hand
where small revisions and
adjustments can easily be made.
LED-screen
The LED-screen
exterior lets you create
personalised displays.
Three-seater
There’s room for
three people inside
this electric-powered
concept car.
Virtual
assistant
Lost? Allow your
assistant to plot a
virtual path for
you to follow.
Recognition
The car will
recognise you
when you walk up
to it, greeting you
with a message
on the door.
Smartphone on wheels
It’s more like a smartphone than a car,
enabling you to surf the internet. This
could be helpful if you’re broken down!
A concept vehicle designed to
change inside and out
A ride in the
Toyota Fu n -Vii
LAND