Seven Concept Cars You Wish You Could Own

By: Sherri SmithFri Jul 18, 2008 at 3:45 PM

Concept cars are a great way to get people excited about a brand and its future offerings. Here's a look at the latest crop from the design labs

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Flashy and innovative, concepts offer auto designers the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. From beginning to end, designers can spend anywhere from six months to two years bringing a concept to market. Some have already gone into production; others we can only cross our fingers about.

BMW GINA Light Visionary Concept

The Concept: BMW's latest concept car shatters all the tried and true conventions about automobile design. For Head of BMW Group Design, Christopher E. Bangle, it’s all about “breaking paradigms.” A year in the making, the GINA Light Visionary Concept abandons the usual concepts of side panels, roof, front aprons, and doors in favor of a clean, seamless form with four main components. Contrary to rumor, the car is not named after some hot, mystery woman, instead the name actually stands for Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions, which speaks to BMW’s new design philosophy focusing on maximum freedom and creativity. The two-seater roadster is created from an expansion resistant fabric spread across a metal structure, giving it that smooth, sculpted look.

Coolest Feature: Skin is definitely in on the GINA. The flexible material allows the concept to move in ways that were previously only conceived of through movie magic. Together with its metal frame, this car is able to adapt to all situations through its ability to change shape. When moving at high speeds, the GINA automatically creates a rear spoiler by raising a built in component on the frame. The ultra flexible skin lets the spoiler form with nary a wrinkle, and the car's headlights remain hidden beneath the flexible skin. After being activated by the driver, the skin cover opens revealing the headlights and thereby creates the illusion of a car opening its eyes. All of these transformations are controlled by a combination of electronics and hydraulics. As for the skin's makeup, it's a hybrid composed of mesh-netting support. It’s resistant to low and high temperatures as well as water-resistant.

Demographic: YouTube videos of the GINA in action have set the Internet ablaze with fans and detractors alike. The car's appeal would translate well to the tech and arts scenes as well as early adopters who have to be seen driving the next big thing.

Expected Pricing: It’s a pretty safe bet that GINA's current model won’t make it to the production line. Bangle says, “The GINA Light Visionary model just shows ONE possible answer to the whole approach of materials.” Expect to find GINA-like features in future BMW models.

Suzuki Kizashi 3 Concept

The Concept: Debuted at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the Kizashi 3 concept is the final iteration in the Kizashi series. Aptly named -- Kizashi, in Japanese, means prelude or preview -- the series offers a bold look into Suzuki’s design future. Sporting strong and elegant lines, these cars are meant to represent the toned physique of an athlete in motion.

A definite head turner, the production-ready Kizashi 3 combines the stunning looks of its predecessors, bringing the concept one step closer to production. Described by Jeff Holland, the company's public relations manager, as “a near luxury sports sedan,” the final version of the Kizashi 3 will feature a 300 horsepower, 3.6 liter engine with “a possible hybrid or high tech variant of the power train model.” Suzuki is currently in the process of developing pre-production models and working to push the car into production.

Coolest Feature: While the Kizashi 3 definitely possesses outer beauty, its real story lies under its hood. Powered by a 3.6-liter Double OverHead Cam (DOHC) V-6 engine with plated cylinders and a six-speed automatic transmission, the Kizashi 3 packs a punch. Taking a cue from its motorcycle heritage, this vehicle is all about speed and performance. With its impressive 300 horsepower, coupled with Suzuki's all-wheel-drive system, the Kizashi 3 is ready for the starting gate in 2010.

Demographic: With its three iterations, the Kizashi is set to appeal to a wide audience. There's the crossover and wagon for families, and a sedan that could appeal to driving enthusiasts and a younger demographic.

Expected Pricing: Suzuki has been known for producing affordable vehicles and the Kizashi will be no different. “We like to say it’s like an Audi for half the price,” Holland quips. “It’s a Suzuki, it’s got to be affordable. It’s very important to the brand.”

Smart Fortwo

The Concept: While many Americans think that bigger is better, the Smart Fortwo's design challenge that notion. Birthed from a partnership between Swatch and Mercedes Benz, the Smart car is a fusion of utility, customization, and art. Its name alone defines its purpose -- Smart actually stands for Swatch Mercedes Art.