BMW Concepts We'd Love To See On The Road

One is likely to enter production.

BMW has a rich history of actually producing the concepts they build, and in most cases, the production versions bear more than just slight resemblances to the concepts that precede them – in fact, they’re normally almost identical. Case in point, the M4 Concept, Concept Z4, Concept X4, and the i8 Spyder concept. However, there have been several concepts that never made it but really should have. Among those, many are tribute concepts to models of old, but with a resurgence of retro concepts lately, we thought we’d take a look back and pick the 10 BMW concepts we think would be phenomenal in production.

BMW M1 Homage

Audi makes the R8, Mercedes the AMG GT and soon the AMG One, but BMW still doesn’t produce a bona fide supercar. The i8 is cool but it’s no supercar, and considering the rich history of BMW’s M1 from the 70s and 80s, the M1 Homage deserves a place in the real world.

The M1 Homage featured retro styling to act as a modern take on the M1 when the concept debuted in 2008 – 30 years after the original M1. Girgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the styling, incorporating details such as the dual rear badges and mid-engined proportions. No specifications were ever released, and the concept was strictly a static one, but how great would it be if BMW produced a proper retro supercar?

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

2015 saw the debut of two cool BMW concepts – celebrating BMW’s 40th anniversary in the US. The 3.0 CSL Hommage was great, but the Hommage R took it to its full potential – replete with race-inspired looks to make it a true spiritual successor to the original 3.0 CSL in racing guise. The Hommage R was powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline 6, equipped with an e-boost to bump the power up beyond 500 horsepower, though the actual figure was never confirmed by BMW.

It was the interior and ancillaries that complete the 3.0 CSL Hommage R’s appeal, representing true driver focus. The instrument cluster, dash, and steering wheel setup all focused on the driver, with features like shift timers displayed by ambient glow across the dash. An advanced heads-up display was courtesy of a Puma race-suit with a helmet visor acting as a HUD panel. Build it, BMW, and they shall buy it!

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

Another retro concept from BMW celebrated the 328 race car of the 1930s – released to celebrate the original’s 75th anniversary – not the E36 3 Series of the same designation. The concept offered a take on how the 328 might have been produced using modern technologies, meaning plenty of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used in its construction. Thankfully, most of that was left exposed on the bodywork.

BMW was tight-lipped on the drivetrain, but the 328 Hommage did make use of a 3.0-liter straight-6 to power it along. The concept weighed next to nothing, in part due to the lack of doors entirely. This one might not have gone down as well as a Z4, but we can still dream, can’t we?

BMW 2002 Hommage

OK, so we like the BMW Hommage concepts, a lot. The 2002 Hommage celebrated 100 years of BMW, paying tribute to the homologated 2002 Turbo of half that age. It featured classic BMW styling cues such as the shark nose and short body overhangs. Unlike many of the Hommage concepts, the 2002 actually had roots in a production model, built upon the incredible BMW M2 – which itself is the spiritual successor to the 2002 turbo.

The M2 is great, but how cool would a limited run, 400-hp 2002 turbo-styled production model be?

BMW i Vision Dynamics

We’re still hoping this one does get built, as the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept would make an exceptional BMW i5 electric sedan. The futuristic-looking 4-door Gran Coupe is electrically driven and, according to BMW, has a claimed electric driving range of 373 miles on a charge, a top speed of over 120 mph, and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than 4 seconds.

Featuring an impressive low-drag design, the concept could be previewing BMW’s future electric design language, with 12 full EVs planned by 2025. Should the i Vision Dynamics make it to production as a BMW i5, it would take the fight head-on to Tesla’s Model 3. On this one, we’re tentatively hopeful.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe and Roadster

Based on the E89 BMW Z4, the Zagato Coupe and Roadster were unveiled just three months apart. The collaboration between BMW and the Italian design house was incredible, with the coupe featuring a stylish double bubble roof, the Roadster featuring a double-bubble styled tonneau cover, and both models featuring details like a kidney grille composed of small “z” letters. Both models featured paintwork that changed with the light, giving it a different appearance in different circumstances. OK, so yes these were based on existing models, but the Zagato versions look so much cooler than the BMW ones, don’t they?

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

They could’ve made this the new Z4, couldn’t they? Or they could revive the Z1 moniker since the Vision ConnectedDrive concept makes use of Z1-inspired doors – with two skins in this case sliding forwards and backwards into the bodywork.

The Vision ConnectedDrive was a technological showcase when it debuted in 2011, making use of radars in the lighting systems to monitor surrounding traffic, and displaying an early version of an advanced 3D heads-up display for the driver. Though futuristic in design, there were definite retro-inspired traits here, such as the aerodynamically encased rollover hoops behind the driver and passenger.

BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia

Based on the E85 BMW Z4, the Concept Coupe Mille Miglia was unveiled at the 2006 edition of the event. It fused historic styling – tall and narrow kidney grilles, split windscreen, and classic rooflines – with modern technology, such as silver colored carbon fiber bodywork. The concept celebrates BMW’s rich Mille Miglia history, including the 328 mentioned above, which still holds the record for the being the first car to win both the original and the renewed version of the historic race – the latter occurring just two years prior to this concept’s unveiling.

BMW X-Coupe

BMW must have a crystal ball at its headquarters, as the 2001 X-Coupe concept previewed a futuristic coupe-crossover body style that would develop into a huge fad, 17 years later. Now, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and many more offer coupe-styled SUVs, but BMW beat them to the punch with this sports coupe-styled crossover concept based on an X5 chassis.

The aluminum-bodied concept was powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine from the X5 (184 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque), which sat in contrast to the bodywork which was styled like a sports car. The proportions make the X-Coupe look like a compact 4C-rivalling sportster when in fact it’s far, far bigger, with a wheelbase of 111-inches. In an era where Ferrari is planning a crossover supercar, would it not be incredible for BMW to pursue a production version of this?

BMW Nazca C2 Spider

The BMW Nazca C2 coupe was actually built – although only three were ever made for private clients. The super-stylish C2 Spider, however, remained a concept and the stuff of our childhood dreams. Designed by Italdesign and unveiled at the 1993 Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix, the mid-engined supercar concept featured removable glass roof panels and a 5.7-liter Alpina-tuned V12 engine (up from 5.0-liters in the coupe) that produced 380 hp, feeding it all to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Much like the M1 Homage, the Nazca C2 Spider is the mid-engined BMW supercar we keep praying they’ll make, but which remains unlikely.

Crazy, High-Performance SUV Concepts That Never Made It

These awesome SUVs remained concepts forever. But we will never forget them.

Stuffing powerful engines under the hood of a vehicle designed specifically for off-roading isn’t a new phenomenon. Automakers have been doing this for years for one reason, and one reason only: it’s awesome. SUVs, specifically those with a body-on-frame chassis, are the go-anywhere, up-for-anything vehicle people want in their lives, but having more power is never a bad thing.

High-performance SUVs are typically special editions, providing carmakers with some always needed street cred and a relatively easy way to make a few extra bucks. A regular SUV with an upgraded engine is a win-win for everybody – automakers, customers, and gas station owners. Sadly, some of the craziest, most powerful SUVs never made it to production, forever remaining concepts.

Volvo XC90 Supercharged

Today, it’s not uncommon to see a performance vehicle from Volvo, including SUV crossovers. But back in 2005 it was almost unheard of. Meet the Volvo XC90 Supercharged. It’s yellow. Very yellow. It also has a Yamaha-developed V8 that, under normal circumstances, makes 311 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Volvo wanted more than normal, so added a massive supercharger that dialed up the output to an estimated 600 hp. Power was sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic gearbox. That system was also “pre-charged,” meaning power could be instantly routed to the wheel with the most traction.

Compared to the production XC90 at the time, its Supercharged evil twin rode two inches lower to the ground and wore nine-inch wide ultra-high-performance alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber. Volvo also made changes to the front fascia and added custom fabricated wheel arches. Quad exhaust pipes can be found at the rear. Although production never happened, the XC90 Supercharged was a demonstration of what Volvo could do and what it wanted to become.

Chevrolet Tahoe SS

Back when gasoline was stupid cheap Chevrolet figured ‘Hey, why the hell not… let’s build a Tahoe SS for fun.’ And so it was. The ‘SS’ moniker, famous for its muscle car heydays of the 1960s and early 70s, was called upon once again. The Tahoe SUV, at the time in its second generation (at least with that nameplate), was given a few cosmetic changes from the standard version, such as a clean front grille and wide-mouth air intakes under each headlight. Its stance was also lowered by two inches up front and four at the rear. Under the hood was a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 with 345 hp. That power was directed to the rear wheels only.

Chevrolet wanted to go with a stealthy look similar to the Tahoe cop SUV, and it managed to pull this off nicely. Unfortunately, despite being production ready, or close to it, Chevy opted not to build it in the end. Instead, it was merely a display of the brand’s performance capabilities. Bummer, because this could have been an instant classic.

Cadillac Escalade Twin Turbo

The Cadillac Escalade was always a bit nuts. Big, bold and bling tastic, this luxury SUV never has and never will apologize for being what it is. During the same time Chevrolet was toying with the idea of a Tahoe SS, Cadillac had a lunatic idea of its own: a twin-turbo Escalade.

Under its hood is a 6.0-liter V8 that borrowed the cam from the C6 Corvette LS6 engine and ported aluminum Vortec heads. Cadillac even added a custom carbon fiber intake. A pair of Aerodyne turbochargers were then added. Combined output: 580 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque. Total weight came to around 5,700 pounds. Engineers also lowered the SUV’s ground clearance at the front and rear axles by 25 and 35 millimeters, respectively. The interior received an entertainment system consisting of a DVD player and voice control. The exterior featured silver metallic paint and chrome-plated 20-inch wheels. Production? You wish.

Ford SVT Tremor

The world was a different place in 1998 and so was Ford Motor Company. Remember, this was before the era of the crossover, a vehicle body style Ford has committed itself to for the foreseeable future. But it was during the 1990s when Ford also cherished the SUV, specifically the Explorer (before its crossover days). Anyone remember the SVT Tremor Concept? It’s okay if you don’t. Maybe you weren’t even born yet. “The Tremor is a further evolution of America’s best-selling sport utility vehicle, the Ford Explorer,” said Tom Scott, director of the Advanced Design Studio at the time. “While it maintains the Explorer’s well-known attributes of performance, ruggedness and a well-packaged interior, this concept vehicle creates a new niche of fun-to-drive vehicle.”

So, why was the SVT Tremor particularly cool? Built together with Yamaha, under the hood was an all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 with an estimated 380 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. To compare, the 1998 Mustang Cobra had 305 hp. Top speed was said to be about 140 mph and a less than 7-second 0-60 mph was predicted. But once again, we never got the chance to see everything this performance SUV was capable of.

Jeep Trailcat

When you have an engine as incredible as the supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8, you might as well use it. Not only is the Hellcat found in the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, but also in a Wrangler. Yes, really. The Jeep Trailcat was a concept first shown in 2016. With a total of 707 hp, you’d think the engine could somehow rip the Wrangler in half but Jeep engineers made sure this wouldn’t happen.

And yes, this concept was really put to the test when it made its debut appearance at Jeep’s 50th annual Easter Safari gathering in Moab, Utah. Along with a six-speed manual, the Trailcat received a set of massive tires, a big roll cage, and – this is where engineering is really needed – a 12-inch wheelbase extension in order for the engine to fit. Although the Trailcat never reached production, you could argue that it paved the way for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

BMW X5 Le Mans

This isn’t the first time we’ve come across the BMW X5 Le Mans and no doubt it won't be the last. Why? Because back in 2000, BMW had the wonderfully nuts idea to stuff a V12 engine under the hood of a first-generation X5. Production was never intended, but a trip to the Nurburgring was. BMW managed to get this one-off X5 up to 192 mph at the Green Hell. Oh, and that 6.0-liter V12 came directly from the BMW V12 LMR Le Mans endurance racer. Total output: 700 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. The race car had about 100 hp less.

And just when you thought this couldn’t get any crazier, engineers opted for an M-division six-speed manual transmission. As for its Nurburgring aspirations? The X5 Le Mans managed a lap time of 7:50. To compare, the 2018 Honda Civic Type R set its own ‘Ring lap time of 7:43.8.

Awesome Concepts That Never Made It To Production

The world would be a better place if these had made it onto the road.

For motor manufacturers, concept cars can mean a great deal, or they can mean nothing at all. Often, they’re a way of gauging public interest before committing to production. But all too often, they’re ‘celebratory’ models, or indications of future design intent. In some cases, some manufacturers seemingly build concepts merely to disappoint us by never actually producing anything vaguely reminiscent. So with that said, here are ten concept cars we thought should’ve reached production, but never did, and likely never will.

1. 2006 Lamborghini Miura Concept

The Lamborghini Miura is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful supercars ever. In 2006, Lamborghini celebrated the 40th anniversary of the original Miura concept with the gorgeous green concept you see here, penned by then chief of design, Walter de Silva. Technical details were kept a secret, but there was never even a hope of it reaching production. Then CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann said, “The Miura was a celebration of our history, but Lamborghini is about the future. Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won’t do the Miura.”

2. 2010 Audi Quattro Concept

What better way for Audi to capitalize on its rich heritage in motorsport, and particularly in the World Rally Championship, than to build a modern version of the infamous Quattro rally car? Well in 2010 Audi teased us with just that. To celebrate 30 years of quattro all-wheel drive, Audi unveiled the sleek two-door Quattro Concept in Paris. It was based on a shortened RS5 platform, weighed in at a measly 2,866 pounds, and kept to the Ur Quattro’s ethos by packing the same 2.5-liter unit from the RS3, but dialed up to 403 horsepower. It would’ve been an exceptional celebration of Audi’s AWD-prowess, but it never reached production.

3. 2009 Bugatti 16C Galibier

After the Bugatti nameplate was revived by Volkswagen, resulting in the rulebook-rewriting Veyron, everybody wondered “what next?” for Bugatti. The 16C Galibier was a hint at what could’ve been. It was characterized by a central rib that ran the length of the body – a throwback to the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic – and was met with great interest when it debuted in Frankfurt in 2009. Powered by an 8.0-liter twin-supercharged W16 engine – derived from but not the same as the unit in the Veyron – it produced in excess of 1000 hp, and could manage a top speed of more than 235 mph.

4. 2014 Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge

When the now Cadillac president, Johan de Nysschen, was at the helm of Infiniti, he envisioned a rival to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. In 2014, Infiniti revealed the Q50 Eau Rouge concept. The super-sedan was named after the sweeping left-hander at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium and was much more than just a static design concept. No, the Q50 Eau Rouge packed the Nissan GT-R’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood, developing 560 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. It was mated to an all-wheel drive system – though not the same one as the GT-R – and looked to be the M3’s worst nightmare.

5. 2008 BMW M1 Homage Concept

BMW has a rich history, filled with great racers and segment-defining street cars. But amongst generations of series models, the original BMW M1 supercar is still a holy machine amongst enthusiasts. In 2008, BMW honored the original with a truly fitting concept – commemorating 30 years since the release of the original. It too was a rear-mid engined supercar, penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro who designed the original, and it wore a similarly striking orange color and the dual BMW logos on the rear. But BMW never intended on taking it to production – it was merely to honor a hero of the past.

6. 2014 Hyundai PassoCorto

We’re still getting to grips with the idea of Hyundai as a performance brand – its new Veloster N giving us a first look at its ability to produce a proper hot-hatch. But back in 2014, Hyundai showed strong intent when it released the PassoCorto concept. The striking sports car was a compact 2-seater – its name translating literally as ‘short wheelbase' – that was the product of a design competition hosted in partnership with Hyundai and the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin. The PassoCorto proposed using a mid-mounted 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 to drive the rear wheels of what could’ve been an Alfa Romeo 4C-fighter.

7. 2014 Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

In 2014 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the open top collaboration between Mini and Touring Superleggera – called the Mini Superleggera – was revealed. It melded contemporary design elements with traditional Mini ‘Britishness’ in a striking package that would’ve been incredible in production guise. The Mini Superleggera had an eye on the future though, as it was powered by an electric motor. It never made it to production – but just imagine what Mini could’ve become if it had made it.

8. 2010 Jaguar C-X75

Remember the Jaguar XJ220 hypercar of the 1990s? Few do, but when it was around it actually set the record for the world’s fastest car – a record only beaten by the McLaren F1. In 2010 Jaguar sought to reinvent the XJ220, but suitable for the future. An archaic combustion engine would be out of the question, so the all-electric C-X75 was born. Its four electric motors produced 778 hp, and the batteries were to be charged on the go by two diesel-fed micro-gas turbines. There were plans to produce the C-X75, albeit as a hybrid with a turbo-gasoline motor, but they never materialized due to the ongoing global economic crisis getting in the way.

9. 2013 Nissan IDx

Nismo Small cars are fun – add in rear wheel drive and retro styling, and you’ve got a winning formula. In 2013, Nissan unveiled twin IDx concept cars to the world – styled to be reminiscent of the old Datsun SSS. The IDx Nismo was the one that caught everybody’s attention though – with a racy livery, boxy flared styling, and the promise of a compact, lightweight rival to the Toyota 86, with a boosted 1.6-liter engine at its heart. The attention garnered by the IDx Nismo concept was massive – and Nissan constantly flirted with the idea of production, refusing to rule it out. But we’re now 5 years down the line and it still hasn’t materialized.

10. 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

Another BMW Hommage concept, but one deserving of a place on this list; built to commemorate the original 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile,’ the 3.0 CSL Hommage R debuted at the 2015 edition of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. It was built with a lightweight racing inspired interior, and was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine complete with an eBoost hybrid system. It utilized liberal amounts of aluminum and carbon fiber, but like the M1 Homage and the 2002 Hommage, it was a celebration of the past, not an indication of the future.

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BMW Concepts We'd Love To See On The Road

One is likely to enter production.

BMW has a rich history of actually producing the concepts they build, and in most cases, the production versions bear more than just slight resemblances to the concepts that precede them – in fact, they’re normally almost identical. Case in point, the M4 Concept, Concept Z4, Concept X4, and the i8 Spyder concept. However, there have been several concepts that never made it but really should have. Among those, many are tribute concepts to models of old, but with a resurgence of retro concepts lately, we thought we’d take a look back and pick the 10 BMW concepts we think would be phenomenal in production.

BMW M1 Homage

Audi makes the R8, Mercedes the AMG GT and soon the AMG One, but BMW still doesn’t produce a bona fide supercar. The i8 is cool but it’s no supercar, and considering the rich history of BMW’s M1 from the 70s and 80s, the M1 Homage deserves a place in the real world.

The M1 Homage featured retro styling to act as a modern take on the M1 when the concept debuted in 2008 – 30 years after the original M1. Girgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the styling, incorporating details such as the dual rear badges and mid-engined proportions. No specifications were ever released, and the concept was strictly a static one, but how great would it be if BMW produced a proper retro supercar?

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

2015 saw the debut of two cool BMW concepts – celebrating BMW’s 40th anniversary in the US. The 3.0 CSL Hommage was great, but the Hommage R took it to its full potential – replete with race-inspired looks to make it a true spiritual successor to the original 3.0 CSL in racing guise. The Hommage R was powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline 6, equipped with an e-boost to bump the power up beyond 500 horsepower, though the actual figure was never confirmed by BMW.

It was the interior and ancillaries that complete the 3.0 CSL Hommage R’s appeal, representing true driver focus. The instrument cluster, dash, and steering wheel setup all focused on the driver, with features like shift timers displayed by ambient glow across the dash. An advanced heads-up display was courtesy of a Puma race-suit with a helmet visor acting as a HUD panel. Build it, BMW, and they shall buy it!

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

Another retro concept from BMW celebrated the 328 race car of the 1930s – released to celebrate the original’s 75th anniversary – not the E36 3 Series of the same designation. The concept offered a take on how the 328 might have been produced using modern technologies, meaning plenty of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used in its construction. Thankfully, most of that was left exposed on the bodywork.

BMW was tight-lipped on the drivetrain, but the 328 Hommage did make use of a 3.0-liter straight-6 to power it along. The concept weighed next to nothing, in part due to the lack of doors entirely. This one might not have gone down as well as a Z4, but we can still dream, can’t we?

BMW 2002 Hommage

OK, so we like the BMW Hommage concepts, a lot. The 2002 Hommage celebrated 100 years of BMW, paying tribute to the homologated 2002 Turbo of half that age. It featured classic BMW styling cues such as the shark nose and short body overhangs. Unlike many of the Hommage concepts, the 2002 actually had roots in a production model, built upon the incredible BMW M2 – which itself is the spiritual successor to the 2002 turbo.

The M2 is great, but how cool would a limited run, 400-hp 2002 turbo-styled production model be?

BMW i Vision Dynamics

We’re still hoping this one does get built, as the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept would make an exceptional BMW i5 electric sedan. The futuristic-looking 4-door Gran Coupe is electrically driven and, according to BMW, has a claimed electric driving range of 373 miles on a charge, a top speed of over 120 mph, and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than 4 seconds.

Featuring an impressive low-drag design, the concept could be previewing BMW’s future electric design language, with 12 full EVs planned by 2025. Should the i Vision Dynamics make it to production as a BMW i5, it would take the fight head-on to Tesla’s Model 3. On this one, we’re tentatively hopeful.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe and Roadster

Based on the E89 BMW Z4, the Zagato Coupe and Roadster were unveiled just three months apart. The collaboration between BMW and the Italian design house was incredible, with the coupe featuring a stylish double bubble roof, the Roadster featuring a double-bubble styled tonneau cover, and both models featuring details like a kidney grille composed of small “z” letters. Both models featured paintwork that changed with the light, giving it a different appearance in different circumstances. OK, so yes these were based on existing models, but the Zagato versions look so much cooler than the BMW ones, don’t they?

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

They could’ve made this the new Z4, couldn’t they? Or they could revive the Z1 moniker since the Vision ConnectedDrive concept makes use of Z1-inspired doors – with two skins in this case sliding forwards and backwards into the bodywork.

The Vision ConnectedDrive was a technological showcase when it debuted in 2011, making use of radars in the lighting systems to monitor surrounding traffic, and displaying an early version of an advanced 3D heads-up display for the driver. Though futuristic in design, there were definite retro-inspired traits here, such as the aerodynamically encased rollover hoops behind the driver and passenger.

BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia

Based on the E85 BMW Z4, the Concept Coupe Mille Miglia was unveiled at the 2006 edition of the event. It fused historic styling – tall and narrow kidney grilles, split windscreen, and classic rooflines – with modern technology, such as silver colored carbon fiber bodywork. The concept celebrates BMW’s rich Mille Miglia history, including the 328 mentioned above, which still holds the record for the being the first car to win both the original and the renewed version of the historic race – the latter occurring just two years prior to this concept’s unveiling.

BMW X-Coupe

BMW must have a crystal ball at its headquarters, as the 2001 X-Coupe concept previewed a futuristic coupe-crossover body style that would develop into a huge fad, 17 years later. Now, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and many more offer coupe-styled SUVs, but BMW beat them to the punch with this sports coupe-styled crossover concept based on an X5 chassis.

The aluminum-bodied concept was powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine from the X5 (184 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque), which sat in contrast to the bodywork which was styled like a sports car. The proportions make the X-Coupe look like a compact 4C-rivalling sportster when in fact it’s far, far bigger, with a wheelbase of 111-inches. In an era where Ferrari is planning a crossover supercar, would it not be incredible for BMW to pursue a production version of this?

BMW Nazca C2 Spider

The BMW Nazca C2 coupe was actually built – although only three were ever made for private clients. The super-stylish C2 Spider, however, remained a concept and the stuff of our childhood dreams. Designed by Italdesign and unveiled at the 1993 Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix, the mid-engined supercar concept featured removable glass roof panels and a 5.7-liter Alpina-tuned V12 engine (up from 5.0-liters in the coupe) that produced 380 hp, feeding it all to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Much like the M1 Homage, the Nazca C2 Spider is the mid-engined BMW supercar we keep praying they’ll make, but which remains unlikely.

Awesome Concepts That Became Boring Production Cars

All the excitement of a concept, resulting in one giant let down in production

Concepts can give us an exceptional insight to the future, or just help us celebrate the past with cars like the Miura concept and BMW M1 Homage. While some concepts reach production without much change, all too often they fall flat in production guise. We’ve gone through the concept archives to find ten example that looked incredible in concept form, but became dull and dreary in production format.

Renault Captur

The Renault Captur is a compact crossover from the French brand that rivals the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul, underpinned by the same chassis as the brand’s compact hatch, the Clio. But when the concept Captur first debuted at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, it was underpinned by the running gear of a Nissan Juke, including the 158 horsepower 1.6-liter turbo engine. The concept had carbon fiber construction and butterfly doors, and looked spectacular. Sadly, the production version that debuted in 2013 had lost the plot. Gone were the Juke underpinnings, the gorgeous curves, carbon fiber construction, and butterfly doors, replaces by a boring, and frankly below par crossover offering.

Subaru WRX Concept

This list could easily have been titled “Subaru Concepts That Failed In Production”, because if we’re honest, the brand lets us down every time they release a production version of a concept. The WRX concept debuted in 2013 to huge praise; it looked incredible with a sleek swept back A-pillar, narrow aggressive headlights, and flared arches front and rear that had us salivating for a production version. When that finally arrived, it had lost a lot of its spectacle. In fact it looked like a bad knock-off of the concept than a derived production model. While the WRX might have extraordinary safety and driving dynamics, it certainly lost the visual flare promised by the concept.

Jaguar C-XF

Jaguar concepts tend to look quite similar to their production counterparts, just look at the C-X16 and C-X17 that spawned the F-Type and F-Pace respectively. But one that didn’t live up to the concept when it reached production is the Jaguar C-XF that spawned the production XF. There can be no denying the XF is thrilling to drive, and in its current iteration it looks stunning too, but the previous generation looked a little dull compared to the sleek concept that predated it. Sleek flowing lines made way for bulbous headlights on the production model, but thankfully in all other aspects the XF lived up to the hype.

Toyota FT-86 Concept

Toyota’s 86, also known as the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ, set the world ablaze when it launched as a back to basics rear-drive sports coupe that prioritized driving joy over outright pace. It looked the part too, though it could’ve looked even better. Prior to its release, several concepts previewed the sports car, with changes made to gauge public reception before revealing the final thing. The FT-86 (Future Toyota 86) concept and FT-86 II concept looked lower, wider, and vastly more aggressive than the production car, with more aggressive head- and tail-lights and angrier body styling. The 86 on its own isn’t a bad looking car, but compared to the concept, it does seem a little placid.

Pontiac Sunfire

The 1990 Pontiac Sunfire Concept looked incredible. It was a 2+2 sports coupe with sleek, futuristic lines, and suicide doors that we’d later see on the Mazda RX-8. It featured carbon fiber construction, fully independent suspension, and a heads-up display – truly ahead of its time. The production version that debuted just a few years later looked nothing like the concept, and lacked just about all the advanced technologies that the concept previewed. Even with a larger displacement engine in the production car, the lack of a turbo resulted in reduced power outputs. The production Sunfire really was a disappointing follow-up to a superb concept.

Chrysler Pronto Cruizer Concept

The Chrysler PT cruiser sure is a unique – and by that I mean ugly – and interesting vehicle, classified by the NHTSA as a truck, though by all other metrics it’s a car. The styling was said to take influence from hotrods of yesteryear, and if you squint, you can kinda see it. But whilst the production model never inspired anyone, the concept looked pretty badass with clear hotrod influence. The two-door coupe concept looked low and wide, and the cab-back design, paired with massive front arches and a huge front grille definitely exuded performance than the production model just never lived up to.

BMW 8 Series

The new BMW 8 Series is by no means an ugly vehicle, few BMWs are, really. But the new luxury GT coupe from BMW, that replaces the 6 Series and revives a decades old nameplate, has lost a little something special from the concept that previewed it. The shark-like concept was low and sleek, with curves exuding finesse rather than sharp angles. It seemed to almost derive influence from the Z4, and yet the production 8 Series – despite narrow headlamps and aggressive bodywork – looks a little clunky by comparison. It’s a bit disappointing really that BMW would preview a massively important vehicle with a concept whose details would fail to make it to production.

Subaru Legacy

Sleek head and taillights, a strong shoulder line, square front and rear styling and a sleek coupe-like greenhouse all made the 2015 Subaru Legacy Concept look like an absolute winner. It had us salivating, knowing that the all-wheel drive sedan would likely be great to drive and offer top notch safety to boot. But in 2017 when the production model was unveiled, the Legacy had gone from fine concept to frumpy production sedan. Sure, it’s safe, and it’s decent to drive, but Subaru couldn’t have gone any more vanilla if they’d tried. It’s the story of every Subaru concept, really.

Honda Civic Type R Concept II

Honda’s Civic Type R has always been an exceptional hot hatch, but the last two generations elevated its stature by incredible performance, and even more incredible Nurburgring lap times. But in the build-up to the nameplate’s revival – a long, long build-up – concept Type Rs got our hearts racing with their aggressive styling. Properly flared bodywork, rather than bolt-on flares, and an incredible rear wing housing the brake lights looked absolutely stunning. But when the FK2 debuted in production guise, it looked like a cheap origami imitation of the concept that left us all salivating.

Dodge Charger

Back in 1999, Dodge revealed a concept for the new Dodge Charger – the production version of which would only debut some seven years later. A low, wide nose and a sleek body made the coupe-like concept incredibly striking, seeming more like a proper sports coupe than a revival of a muscle car icon. The 2006 production Charger looked nothing like the concept; taller, squarer, and far less imposing. In fact aside from the family grill design, the concept and production Charger were so different you’d swear they were products of different brands altogether.

BMW Concepts We'd Love To See On The Road

One is likely to enter production.

BMW has a rich history of actually producing the concepts they build, and in most cases, the production versions bear more than just slight resemblances to the concepts that precede them – in fact, they’re normally almost identical. Case in point, the M4 Concept, Concept Z4, Concept X4, and the i8 Spyder concept. However, there have been several concepts that never made it but really should have. Among those, many are tribute concepts to models of old, but with a resurgence of retro concepts lately, we thought we’d take a look back and pick the 10 BMW concepts we think would be phenomenal in production.

BMW M1 Homage

Audi makes the R8, Mercedes the AMG GT and soon the AMG One, but BMW still doesn’t produce a bona fide supercar. The i8 is cool but it’s no supercar, and considering the rich history of BMW’s M1 from the 70s and 80s, the M1 Homage deserves a place in the real world.

The M1 Homage featured retro styling to act as a modern take on the M1 when the concept debuted in 2008 – 30 years after the original M1. Girgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the styling, incorporating details such as the dual rear badges and mid-engined proportions. No specifications were ever released, and the concept was strictly a static one, but how great would it be if BMW produced a proper retro supercar?

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

2015 saw the debut of two cool BMW concepts – celebrating BMW’s 40th anniversary in the US. The 3.0 CSL Hommage was great, but the Hommage R took it to its full potential – replete with race-inspired looks to make it a true spiritual successor to the original 3.0 CSL in racing guise. The Hommage R was powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline 6, equipped with an e-boost to bump the power up beyond 500 horsepower, though the actual figure was never confirmed by BMW.

It was the interior and ancillaries that complete the 3.0 CSL Hommage R’s appeal, representing true driver focus. The instrument cluster, dash, and steering wheel setup all focused on the driver, with features like shift timers displayed by ambient glow across the dash. An advanced heads-up display was courtesy of a Puma race-suit with a helmet visor acting as a HUD panel. Build it, BMW, and they shall buy it!

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

Another retro concept from BMW celebrated the 328 race car of the 1930s – released to celebrate the original’s 75th anniversary – not the E36 3 Series of the same designation. The concept offered a take on how the 328 might have been produced using modern technologies, meaning plenty of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used in its construction. Thankfully, most of that was left exposed on the bodywork.

BMW was tight-lipped on the drivetrain, but the 328 Hommage did make use of a 3.0-liter straight-6 to power it along. The concept weighed next to nothing, in part due to the lack of doors entirely. This one might not have gone down as well as a Z4, but we can still dream, can’t we?

BMW 2002 Hommage

OK, so we like the BMW Hommage concepts, a lot. The 2002 Hommage celebrated 100 years of BMW, paying tribute to the homologated 2002 Turbo of half that age. It featured classic BMW styling cues such as the shark nose and short body overhangs. Unlike many of the Hommage concepts, the 2002 actually had roots in a production model, built upon the incredible BMW M2 – which itself is the spiritual successor to the 2002 turbo.

The M2 is great, but how cool would a limited run, 400-hp 2002 turbo-styled production model be?

BMW i Vision Dynamics

We’re still hoping this one does get built, as the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept would make an exceptional BMW i5 electric sedan. The futuristic-looking 4-door Gran Coupe is electrically driven and, according to BMW, has a claimed electric driving range of 373 miles on a charge, a top speed of over 120 mph, and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than 4 seconds.

Featuring an impressive low-drag design, the concept could be previewing BMW’s future electric design language, with 12 full EVs planned by 2025. Should the i Vision Dynamics make it to production as a BMW i5, it would take the fight head-on to Tesla’s Model 3. On this one, we’re tentatively hopeful.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe and Roadster

Based on the E89 BMW Z4, the Zagato Coupe and Roadster were unveiled just three months apart. The collaboration between BMW and the Italian design house was incredible, with the coupe featuring a stylish double bubble roof, the Roadster featuring a double-bubble styled tonneau cover, and both models featuring details like a kidney grille composed of small “z” letters. Both models featured paintwork that changed with the light, giving it a different appearance in different circumstances. OK, so yes these were based on existing models, but the Zagato versions look so much cooler than the BMW ones, don’t they?

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

They could’ve made this the new Z4, couldn’t they? Or they could revive the Z1 moniker since the Vision ConnectedDrive concept makes use of Z1-inspired doors – with two skins in this case sliding forwards and backwards into the bodywork.

The Vision ConnectedDrive was a technological showcase when it debuted in 2011, making use of radars in the lighting systems to monitor surrounding traffic, and displaying an early version of an advanced 3D heads-up display for the driver. Though futuristic in design, there were definite retro-inspired traits here, such as the aerodynamically encased rollover hoops behind the driver and passenger.

BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia

Based on the E85 BMW Z4, the Concept Coupe Mille Miglia was unveiled at the 2006 edition of the event. It fused historic styling – tall and narrow kidney grilles, split windscreen, and classic rooflines – with modern technology, such as silver colored carbon fiber bodywork. The concept celebrates BMW’s rich Mille Miglia history, including the 328 mentioned above, which still holds the record for the being the first car to win both the original and the renewed version of the historic race – the latter occurring just two years prior to this concept’s unveiling.

BMW X-Coupe

BMW must have a crystal ball at its headquarters, as the 2001 X-Coupe concept previewed a futuristic coupe-crossover body style that would develop into a huge fad, 17 years later. Now, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and many more offer coupe-styled SUVs, but BMW beat them to the punch with this sports coupe-styled crossover concept based on an X5 chassis.

The aluminum-bodied concept was powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine from the X5 (184 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque), which sat in contrast to the bodywork which was styled like a sports car. The proportions make the X-Coupe look like a compact 4C-rivalling sportster when in fact it’s far, far bigger, with a wheelbase of 111-inches. In an era where Ferrari is planning a crossover supercar, would it not be incredible for BMW to pursue a production version of this?

BMW Nazca C2 Spider

The BMW Nazca C2 coupe was actually built – although only three were ever made for private clients. The super-stylish C2 Spider, however, remained a concept and the stuff of our childhood dreams. Designed by Italdesign and unveiled at the 1993 Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix, the mid-engined supercar concept featured removable glass roof panels and a 5.7-liter Alpina-tuned V12 engine (up from 5.0-liters in the coupe) that produced 380 hp, feeding it all to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Much like the M1 Homage, the Nazca C2 Spider is the mid-engined BMW supercar we keep praying they’ll make, but which remains unlikely.

BMW Concepts We'd Love To See On The Road

One is likely to enter production.

BMW has a rich history of actually producing the concepts they build, and in most cases, the production versions bear more than just slight resemblances to the concepts that precede them – in fact, they’re normally almost identical. Case in point, the M4 Concept, Concept Z4, Concept X4, and the i8 Spyder concept. However, there have been several concepts that never made it but really should have. Among those, many are tribute concepts to models of old, but with a resurgence of retro concepts lately, we thought we’d take a look back and pick the 10 BMW concepts we think would be phenomenal in production.

BMW M1 Homage

Audi makes the R8, Mercedes the AMG GT and soon the AMG One, but BMW still doesn’t produce a bona fide supercar. The i8 is cool but it’s no supercar, and considering the rich history of BMW’s M1 from the 70s and 80s, the M1 Homage deserves a place in the real world.

The M1 Homage featured retro styling to act as a modern take on the M1 when the concept debuted in 2008 – 30 years after the original M1. Girgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the styling, incorporating details such as the dual rear badges and mid-engined proportions. No specifications were ever released, and the concept was strictly a static one, but how great would it be if BMW produced a proper retro supercar?

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

2015 saw the debut of two cool BMW concepts – celebrating BMW’s 40th anniversary in the US. The 3.0 CSL Hommage was great, but the Hommage R took it to its full potential – replete with race-inspired looks to make it a true spiritual successor to the original 3.0 CSL in racing guise. The Hommage R was powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline 6, equipped with an e-boost to bump the power up beyond 500 horsepower, though the actual figure was never confirmed by BMW.

It was the interior and ancillaries that complete the 3.0 CSL Hommage R’s appeal, representing true driver focus. The instrument cluster, dash, and steering wheel setup all focused on the driver, with features like shift timers displayed by ambient glow across the dash. An advanced heads-up display was courtesy of a Puma race-suit with a helmet visor acting as a HUD panel. Build it, BMW, and they shall buy it!

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

Another retro concept from BMW celebrated the 328 race car of the 1930s – released to celebrate the original’s 75th anniversary – not the E36 3 Series of the same designation. The concept offered a take on how the 328 might have been produced using modern technologies, meaning plenty of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used in its construction. Thankfully, most of that was left exposed on the bodywork.

BMW was tight-lipped on the drivetrain, but the 328 Hommage did make use of a 3.0-liter straight-6 to power it along. The concept weighed next to nothing, in part due to the lack of doors entirely. This one might not have gone down as well as a Z4, but we can still dream, can’t we?

BMW 2002 Hommage

OK, so we like the BMW Hommage concepts, a lot. The 2002 Hommage celebrated 100 years of BMW, paying tribute to the homologated 2002 Turbo of half that age. It featured classic BMW styling cues such as the shark nose and short body overhangs. Unlike many of the Hommage concepts, the 2002 actually had roots in a production model, built upon the incredible BMW M2 – which itself is the spiritual successor to the 2002 turbo.

The M2 is great, but how cool would a limited run, 400-hp 2002 turbo-styled production model be?

BMW i Vision Dynamics

We’re still hoping this one does get built, as the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept would make an exceptional BMW i5 electric sedan. The futuristic-looking 4-door Gran Coupe is electrically driven and, according to BMW, has a claimed electric driving range of 373 miles on a charge, a top speed of over 120 mph, and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than 4 seconds.

Featuring an impressive low-drag design, the concept could be previewing BMW’s future electric design language, with 12 full EVs planned by 2025. Should the i Vision Dynamics make it to production as a BMW i5, it would take the fight head-on to Tesla’s Model 3. On this one, we’re tentatively hopeful.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe and Roadster

Based on the E89 BMW Z4, the Zagato Coupe and Roadster were unveiled just three months apart. The collaboration between BMW and the Italian design house was incredible, with the coupe featuring a stylish double bubble roof, the Roadster featuring a double-bubble styled tonneau cover, and both models featuring details like a kidney grille composed of small “z” letters. Both models featured paintwork that changed with the light, giving it a different appearance in different circumstances. OK, so yes these were based on existing models, but the Zagato versions look so much cooler than the BMW ones, don’t they?

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

They could’ve made this the new Z4, couldn’t they? Or they could revive the Z1 moniker since the Vision ConnectedDrive concept makes use of Z1-inspired doors – with two skins in this case sliding forwards and backwards into the bodywork.

The Vision ConnectedDrive was a technological showcase when it debuted in 2011, making use of radars in the lighting systems to monitor surrounding traffic, and displaying an early version of an advanced 3D heads-up display for the driver. Though futuristic in design, there were definite retro-inspired traits here, such as the aerodynamically encased rollover hoops behind the driver and passenger.

BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia

Based on the E85 BMW Z4, the Concept Coupe Mille Miglia was unveiled at the 2006 edition of the event. It fused historic styling – tall and narrow kidney grilles, split windscreen, and classic rooflines – with modern technology, such as silver colored carbon fiber bodywork. The concept celebrates BMW’s rich Mille Miglia history, including the 328 mentioned above, which still holds the record for the being the first car to win both the original and the renewed version of the historic race – the latter occurring just two years prior to this concept’s unveiling.

BMW X-Coupe

BMW must have a crystal ball at its headquarters, as the 2001 X-Coupe concept previewed a futuristic coupe-crossover body style that would develop into a huge fad, 17 years later. Now, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and many more offer coupe-styled SUVs, but BMW beat them to the punch with this sports coupe-styled crossover concept based on an X5 chassis.

The aluminum-bodied concept was powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine from the X5 (184 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque), which sat in contrast to the bodywork which was styled like a sports car. The proportions make the X-Coupe look like a compact 4C-rivalling sportster when in fact it’s far, far bigger, with a wheelbase of 111-inches. In an era where Ferrari is planning a crossover supercar, would it not be incredible for BMW to pursue a production version of this?

BMW Nazca C2 Spider

The BMW Nazca C2 coupe was actually built – although only three were ever made for private clients. The super-stylish C2 Spider, however, remained a concept and the stuff of our childhood dreams. Designed by Italdesign and unveiled at the 1993 Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix, the mid-engined supercar concept featured removable glass roof panels and a 5.7-liter Alpina-tuned V12 engine (up from 5.0-liters in the coupe) that produced 380 hp, feeding it all to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Much like the M1 Homage, the Nazca C2 Spider is the mid-engined BMW supercar we keep praying they’ll make, but which remains unlikely.

BMW Concepts We'd Love To See On The Road

One is likely to enter production.

BMW has a rich history of actually producing the concepts they build, and in most cases, the production versions bear more than just slight resemblances to the concepts that precede them – in fact, they’re normally almost identical. Case in point, the M4 Concept, Concept Z4, Concept X4, and the i8 Spyder concept. However, there have been several concepts that never made it but really should have. Among those, many are tribute concepts to models of old, but with a resurgence of retro concepts lately, we thought we’d take a look back and pick the 10 BMW concepts we think would be phenomenal in production.

BMW M1 Homage

Audi makes the R8, Mercedes the AMG GT and soon the AMG One, but BMW still doesn’t produce a bona fide supercar. The i8 is cool but it’s no supercar, and considering the rich history of BMW’s M1 from the 70s and 80s, the M1 Homage deserves a place in the real world.

The M1 Homage featured retro styling to act as a modern take on the M1 when the concept debuted in 2008 – 30 years after the original M1. Girgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the styling, incorporating details such as the dual rear badges and mid-engined proportions. No specifications were ever released, and the concept was strictly a static one, but how great would it be if BMW produced a proper retro supercar?

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

2015 saw the debut of two cool BMW concepts – celebrating BMW’s 40th anniversary in the US. The 3.0 CSL Hommage was great, but the Hommage R took it to its full potential – replete with race-inspired looks to make it a true spiritual successor to the original 3.0 CSL in racing guise. The Hommage R was powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline 6, equipped with an e-boost to bump the power up beyond 500 horsepower, though the actual figure was never confirmed by BMW.

It was the interior and ancillaries that complete the 3.0 CSL Hommage R’s appeal, representing true driver focus. The instrument cluster, dash, and steering wheel setup all focused on the driver, with features like shift timers displayed by ambient glow across the dash. An advanced heads-up display was courtesy of a Puma race-suit with a helmet visor acting as a HUD panel. Build it, BMW, and they shall buy it!

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

Another retro concept from BMW celebrated the 328 race car of the 1930s – released to celebrate the original’s 75th anniversary – not the E36 3 Series of the same designation. The concept offered a take on how the 328 might have been produced using modern technologies, meaning plenty of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used in its construction. Thankfully, most of that was left exposed on the bodywork.

BMW was tight-lipped on the drivetrain, but the 328 Hommage did make use of a 3.0-liter straight-6 to power it along. The concept weighed next to nothing, in part due to the lack of doors entirely. This one might not have gone down as well as a Z4, but we can still dream, can’t we?

BMW 2002 Hommage

OK, so we like the BMW Hommage concepts, a lot. The 2002 Hommage celebrated 100 years of BMW, paying tribute to the homologated 2002 Turbo of half that age. It featured classic BMW styling cues such as the shark nose and short body overhangs. Unlike many of the Hommage concepts, the 2002 actually had roots in a production model, built upon the incredible BMW M2 – which itself is the spiritual successor to the 2002 turbo.

The M2 is great, but how cool would a limited run, 400-hp 2002 turbo-styled production model be?

BMW i Vision Dynamics

We’re still hoping this one does get built, as the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept would make an exceptional BMW i5 electric sedan. The futuristic-looking 4-door Gran Coupe is electrically driven and, according to BMW, has a claimed electric driving range of 373 miles on a charge, a top speed of over 120 mph, and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than 4 seconds.

Featuring an impressive low-drag design, the concept could be previewing BMW’s future electric design language, with 12 full EVs planned by 2025. Should the i Vision Dynamics make it to production as a BMW i5, it would take the fight head-on to Tesla’s Model 3. On this one, we’re tentatively hopeful.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe and Roadster

Based on the E89 BMW Z4, the Zagato Coupe and Roadster were unveiled just three months apart. The collaboration between BMW and the Italian design house was incredible, with the coupe featuring a stylish double bubble roof, the Roadster featuring a double-bubble styled tonneau cover, and both models featuring details like a kidney grille composed of small “z” letters. Both models featured paintwork that changed with the light, giving it a different appearance in different circumstances. OK, so yes these were based on existing models, but the Zagato versions look so much cooler than the BMW ones, don’t they?

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

They could’ve made this the new Z4, couldn’t they? Or they could revive the Z1 moniker since the Vision ConnectedDrive concept makes use of Z1-inspired doors – with two skins in this case sliding forwards and backwards into the bodywork.

The Vision ConnectedDrive was a technological showcase when it debuted in 2011, making use of radars in the lighting systems to monitor surrounding traffic, and displaying an early version of an advanced 3D heads-up display for the driver. Though futuristic in design, there were definite retro-inspired traits here, such as the aerodynamically encased rollover hoops behind the driver and passenger.

BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia

Based on the E85 BMW Z4, the Concept Coupe Mille Miglia was unveiled at the 2006 edition of the event. It fused historic styling – tall and narrow kidney grilles, split windscreen, and classic rooflines – with modern technology, such as silver colored carbon fiber bodywork. The concept celebrates BMW’s rich Mille Miglia history, including the 328 mentioned above, which still holds the record for the being the first car to win both the original and the renewed version of the historic race – the latter occurring just two years prior to this concept’s unveiling.

BMW X-Coupe

BMW must have a crystal ball at its headquarters, as the 2001 X-Coupe concept previewed a futuristic coupe-crossover body style that would develop into a huge fad, 17 years later. Now, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and many more offer coupe-styled SUVs, but BMW beat them to the punch with this sports coupe-styled crossover concept based on an X5 chassis.

The aluminum-bodied concept was powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine from the X5 (184 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque), which sat in contrast to the bodywork which was styled like a sports car. The proportions make the X-Coupe look like a compact 4C-rivalling sportster when in fact it’s far, far bigger, with a wheelbase of 111-inches. In an era where Ferrari is planning a crossover supercar, would it not be incredible for BMW to pursue a production version of this?

BMW Nazca C2 Spider

The BMW Nazca C2 coupe was actually built – although only three were ever made for private clients. The super-stylish C2 Spider, however, remained a concept and the stuff of our childhood dreams. Designed by Italdesign and unveiled at the 1993 Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix, the mid-engined supercar concept featured removable glass roof panels and a 5.7-liter Alpina-tuned V12 engine (up from 5.0-liters in the coupe) that produced 380 hp, feeding it all to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Much like the M1 Homage, the Nazca C2 Spider is the mid-engined BMW supercar we keep praying they’ll make, but which remains unlikely.

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Stunning Retro Concepts That Should Have Been Made

It's a crime these concepts never made production.

Concept cars are incredible for so many reasons, yet only a small number ever make production as they tend to be created as design and/or technology demonstrations. While many new cars appear in concept form first, there’s still a huge chunk of brilliant design ideas that are never seen again, especially when they are retro-themed. Retro has been tried before and, well, we were given the Chrysler PT Cruiser. But isn’t the Jeep Wrangler somewhat retro-ish? The Volkswagen Beetle?

Every now and then a retro-inspired concept is revealed that, at the very least, ought to make production in limited numbers. Call it a special edition or, heck, even mark it up so that it becomes a collectible. We went through some of the more recent retro concepts that, as of this writing, didn’t make it to production in their current form. Yes, there is at least one nameplate on this list in production today but it looks nothing like its discarded retro concept counterpart.

Holden Efijy

Holden is GM’s famous brand Down Under. Over the decades, Holden built some of the coolest V8-powered sedans and coupes to ever hit Australia's roads. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. Prior to Holden becoming globalized, its Australian employees had some wonderfully crazy ideas and one of them was 2005’s Efijy Concept. Inspired by the 1953 Holden FJ, which was built in Australia, this stunning concept was designed entirely in-house at Holden’s design and engineering studio. How nuts were those Aussies?

The Efijy is based on a stretched version of a C6 Chevrolet Corvette platform and was powered by a supercharged 6.0-liter LS2 V8 producing 644 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic gearbox (hey, this was nearly 20 years ago) and the concept also boasted a fully customized exhaust system.

The interior featured electronic instrumentation such as a multi-use display screen that could disappear into the dash. Was it too wild to produce? Kind of yes, but a toned-down version could have been possible. Just look at the Plymouth Prowler.

Lincoln Continental

The Lincoln Continental. Great large luxury car. Wrong type of car for the time (blame crossovers). Since its 2017 re-launch, the Continental has experienced relatively slow sales and, according to the latest rumors, won’t be around after the 2020 model year. Perhaps Lincoln could have found success if it had been bold enough to build a production version of its 2002 Continental Concept.

This car made a statement not only with its clean lines and luxurious interior appointments, but also its wicked cool suicide doors, as per the 1966 model. Why didn’t Lincoln build this version of the Concept instead of the toned-down car we have today? Who knows, and it’s a real shame this large luxury concept never made it past the concept phase.

Ford Bronco

Yes, the Ford Bronco is about to make its triumphant return in the next few months, likely at Detroit in January. Based on the same platform as the also just revived Ranger pickup truck, the new Bronco will be a bonafied SUV for all of your off-roading adventures. What will it look like? Hopefully, it’ll draw some retro inspiration from the 2004 Bronco Concept, shown here. We could easily see this concept’s styling toned down for production, but there would be one major change: rear doors.

As we already know, two-door SUVs are dead before arrival. From the little we know about the 2020 Bronco’s design, it will feature some cues from the nameplate’s past, but it won’t be all-out retro. The problem with a retro SUV, as proven by the Toyota FJ Cruiser, is that it’s hard to mass market it.

However, we know Ford did consider building this particular Bronco concept but then something happened that ultimately killed the project: an increase in gasoline prices. SUVs were suddenly out of favor and small cars, like the Fiesta, were in. Times have changed, yet again.

Jeep Staff Car

Of all new vehicles on sale today, only the Jeep Wrangler retains the styling of its ancestor. Though fully modern from the inside, under the hood, and all other mechanicals, the Wrangler manages to pull of the near impossible without being too retro yet modern. Over the years, Jeep has launched several Wrangler-based concepts that were really never intended for production, but there was one in particular that stood out: 2015’s Wrangler Staff Car.

Based on the previous generation JK Wrangler, the Staff Car Concept was modified to look like the original Willys MG, complete with flat fenders, zero doors, matte, sand-colored paint job, and even classic Firestone NDT tires. Although it has a stock drivetrain and instrument panel, just about every other part has been modified for that cool military look. Who wouldn’t want to have a side-mounted ax ready to go?

Volkswagen Microbus

Volkswagen has toyed around more than once with a reborn Microbus. In the not too distant future, it’s widely rumored an all-electric Microbus, based on the I.D. Buzz Concept, will receive the production green light. Back in 2001, VW revealed its Microbus Concept, a modern version of the famous original. And yes, it was scheduled to enter production but that was cancelled in 2005 because of Chrysler. Chrysler!? Yes, really.

Remember the Volkswagen Routan? It was a rebadged Chrysler minivan. While the exterior had the VW badges, the interior was still crappy Chrysler build quality, although a few parts were upgraded. Yes, a rebadged Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan is what killed an earlier reborn Microbus. VW figured it was best to play it safe and the Routan was the result.

BMW 2002 Hommage

Today’s 2 and 3 Series share an ancestor, the BMW 2002. Built from 1966 to 1977, the 2002 brought BMW international acclaim by charting a path as a premium brand that focused on driving satisfaction (it was not yet considered luxury). To honor this icon, BMW revealed its 2002 Hommage Concept in 2016 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The timing was quite appropriate because it was the 50th anniversary of the 2002’s initial launch. Using an M2 as the donor car (the most obvious choice), the Hommage Concept perfectly encapsulated the German automaker’s past and present – which is why it should have made become a limited production model.

All of the mechanicals were already done, so only the exterior skin needed to be altered. BMW would have likely sold every single one of them in record time even if they were all sold at a premium.

Infiniti Prototype 9

The new era of all-electric cars presents many opportunities, including designs, so why not have some fun? Infiniti did exactly that with 2017’s Prototype 9 Concept. This open-wheeled electric retro roadster combined ingenuity, artistry and craftsmanship. Although it looks like a 1940s era race car, the Prototype 9 was the first Infiniti to be powered by a new EV powertrain, consisting of a 9kWh battery paired with an electric motor. Total output was 148 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. It could make the sprint to 62 mph in a respectable 5.5 seconds.

Could this concept be turned into a production car? Again, look at the Plymouth Prowler. Imagine all of the attention these things would have received when spotted on the road or at a dealership. For a brand like Infiniti that needs a clear identity and attitude in a very crowded luxury car market, the Prototype 9 would have been an excellent and wonderfully retro start.

BMW Concepts We'd Love To See On The Road

One is likely to enter production.

BMW has a rich history of actually producing the concepts they build, and in most cases, the production versions bear more than just slight resemblances to the concepts that precede them – in fact, they’re normally almost identical. Case in point, the M4 Concept, Concept Z4, Concept X4, and the i8 Spyder concept. However, there have been several concepts that never made it but really should have. Among those, many are tribute concepts to models of old, but with a resurgence of retro concepts lately, we thought we’d take a look back and pick the 10 BMW concepts we think would be phenomenal in production.

BMW M1 Homage

Audi makes the R8, Mercedes the AMG GT and soon the AMG One, but BMW still doesn’t produce a bona fide supercar. The i8 is cool but it’s no supercar, and considering the rich history of BMW’s M1 from the 70s and 80s, the M1 Homage deserves a place in the real world.

The M1 Homage featured retro styling to act as a modern take on the M1 when the concept debuted in 2008 – 30 years after the original M1. Girgetto Giugiaro was the man behind the styling, incorporating details such as the dual rear badges and mid-engined proportions. No specifications were ever released, and the concept was strictly a static one, but how great would it be if BMW produced a proper retro supercar?

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

2015 saw the debut of two cool BMW concepts – celebrating BMW’s 40th anniversary in the US. The 3.0 CSL Hommage was great, but the Hommage R took it to its full potential – replete with race-inspired looks to make it a true spiritual successor to the original 3.0 CSL in racing guise. The Hommage R was powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline 6, equipped with an e-boost to bump the power up beyond 500 horsepower, though the actual figure was never confirmed by BMW.

It was the interior and ancillaries that complete the 3.0 CSL Hommage R’s appeal, representing true driver focus. The instrument cluster, dash, and steering wheel setup all focused on the driver, with features like shift timers displayed by ambient glow across the dash. An advanced heads-up display was courtesy of a Puma race-suit with a helmet visor acting as a HUD panel. Build it, BMW, and they shall buy it!

BMW 328 Hommage Concept

Another retro concept from BMW celebrated the 328 race car of the 1930s – released to celebrate the original’s 75th anniversary – not the E36 3 Series of the same designation. The concept offered a take on how the 328 might have been produced using modern technologies, meaning plenty of carbon fiber reinforced plastic was used in its construction. Thankfully, most of that was left exposed on the bodywork.

BMW was tight-lipped on the drivetrain, but the 328 Hommage did make use of a 3.0-liter straight-6 to power it along. The concept weighed next to nothing, in part due to the lack of doors entirely. This one might not have gone down as well as a Z4, but we can still dream, can’t we?

BMW 2002 Hommage

OK, so we like the BMW Hommage concepts, a lot. The 2002 Hommage celebrated 100 years of BMW, paying tribute to the homologated 2002 Turbo of half that age. It featured classic BMW styling cues such as the shark nose and short body overhangs. Unlike many of the Hommage concepts, the 2002 actually had roots in a production model, built upon the incredible BMW M2 – which itself is the spiritual successor to the 2002 turbo.

The M2 is great, but how cool would a limited run, 400-hp 2002 turbo-styled production model be?

BMW i Vision Dynamics

We’re still hoping this one does get built, as the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept would make an exceptional BMW i5 electric sedan. The futuristic-looking 4-door Gran Coupe is electrically driven and, according to BMW, has a claimed electric driving range of 373 miles on a charge, a top speed of over 120 mph, and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than 4 seconds.

Featuring an impressive low-drag design, the concept could be previewing BMW’s future electric design language, with 12 full EVs planned by 2025. Should the i Vision Dynamics make it to production as a BMW i5, it would take the fight head-on to Tesla’s Model 3. On this one, we’re tentatively hopeful.

BMW Z4 Zagato Coupe and Roadster

Based on the E89 BMW Z4, the Zagato Coupe and Roadster were unveiled just three months apart. The collaboration between BMW and the Italian design house was incredible, with the coupe featuring a stylish double bubble roof, the Roadster featuring a double-bubble styled tonneau cover, and both models featuring details like a kidney grille composed of small “z” letters. Both models featured paintwork that changed with the light, giving it a different appearance in different circumstances. OK, so yes these were based on existing models, but the Zagato versions look so much cooler than the BMW ones, don’t they?

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

They could’ve made this the new Z4, couldn’t they? Or they could revive the Z1 moniker since the Vision ConnectedDrive concept makes use of Z1-inspired doors – with two skins in this case sliding forwards and backwards into the bodywork.

The Vision ConnectedDrive was a technological showcase when it debuted in 2011, making use of radars in the lighting systems to monitor surrounding traffic, and displaying an early version of an advanced 3D heads-up display for the driver. Though futuristic in design, there were definite retro-inspired traits here, such as the aerodynamically encased rollover hoops behind the driver and passenger.

BMW Concept Coupe Mille Miglia

Based on the E85 BMW Z4, the Concept Coupe Mille Miglia was unveiled at the 2006 edition of the event. It fused historic styling – tall and narrow kidney grilles, split windscreen, and classic rooflines – with modern technology, such as silver colored carbon fiber bodywork. The concept celebrates BMW’s rich Mille Miglia history, including the 328 mentioned above, which still holds the record for the being the first car to win both the original and the renewed version of the historic race – the latter occurring just two years prior to this concept’s unveiling.

BMW X-Coupe

BMW must have a crystal ball at its headquarters, as the 2001 X-Coupe concept previewed a futuristic coupe-crossover body style that would develop into a huge fad, 17 years later. Now, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and many more offer coupe-styled SUVs, but BMW beat them to the punch with this sports coupe-styled crossover concept based on an X5 chassis.

The aluminum-bodied concept was powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine from the X5 (184 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque), which sat in contrast to the bodywork which was styled like a sports car. The proportions make the X-Coupe look like a compact 4C-rivalling sportster when in fact it’s far, far bigger, with a wheelbase of 111-inches. In an era where Ferrari is planning a crossover supercar, would it not be incredible for BMW to pursue a production version of this?

BMW Nazca C2 Spider

The BMW Nazca C2 coupe was actually built – although only three were ever made for private clients. The super-stylish C2 Spider, however, remained a concept and the stuff of our childhood dreams. Designed by Italdesign and unveiled at the 1993 Monte Carlo F1 Grand Prix, the mid-engined supercar concept featured removable glass roof panels and a 5.7-liter Alpina-tuned V12 engine (up from 5.0-liters in the coupe) that produced 380 hp, feeding it all to the rear axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Much like the M1 Homage, the Nazca C2 Spider is the mid-engined BMW supercar we keep praying they’ll make, but which remains unlikely.

Audi e-tron GT Concept's LA Debut Is A Huge Party

Even Ironman was invited.

Following yesterday’s lightly camo-covered teaser images, Audi has released full details and photos of its all-electric e-tron GT concept, which is slated to enter production in about two years. Chances are, the production version won’t differ much from the concept you see here. And because this is the LA Auto Show, the concept’s debut was also a huge star-studded party. Even Ironman himself, Robert Downey, Jr. came for the festivities.

The e-tron GT will be Audi’s next all-electric production model, following the e-tron SUV and e-tron Sportback. Described as flat, wide and with a long wheelbase, the e-tron GT has the proportions of a classic Grand Turismo, though it’s described as a four-door coupe.

To help offset the weight of the battery powertrain, the concept’s body is made of lightweight materials, specifically carbon fiber and generous doses of aluminum. Audi outright admits development was done alongside sister VW Group brand Porsche, which makes sense consider this concept shares much of its underpinning with the also upcoming Porsche Taycan. But Audi is also quick to point out the e-tron GT is still very much an Audi.

With its sportback body style, the e-tron GT concept very much reminds us of the Audi A7. Both have a sloping roofline that extends well into the rear, a design trait Audi promises we’ll be seeing more of with future models. Its wheel arches and shoulders are beautifully sculpted, thanks to the genius of Audi design boss Marc Lichte. Also notice how the cabin tapers strongly toward the rear.

The concept also spent time in the wind tunnel as the shape of the air vents, wheel arches, and solid rear diffuser were all dictated by this. Even the 22-inch five twin-spoke wheels were designed with function in mind. They also look pretty darn sweet. Up front is, of course, Audi’s trademark single frame large grille, with the top half painted in body color and the honeycomb pattern featured on RS models. The LED headlights feature laser high-beam and a new visual signature that will soon find its way to future production models. Those large air inlets help cool the assemblies, battery, and brakes. Even the hood’s surface was sculpted in a way to better help with airflow.

The interior can accommodate up to four passengers in style. Although what you see here will be toned down some for the production version, the general design won’t deviate that much. The center console and large touchscreen make the driver and front passenger seat a wonderful place to be. Even the sports seats were inspired by motor racing.

Audi also specifically points out that absolutely no animal-based products were used. The entire interior is vegan, featuring synthetic leather on the seats and trim surfaces. The fabrics for the seat cushions were made from recycled fibers, while a microfiber material adorns the headlining and window pillar trim. Heck, even the floor carpet is made from recycled fishing nets.

And because there’s no internal combustion engine, the e-tron GT features a trunk and a ‘frunk’, with 15.9 cubic feet and 3.5 cubic feet of storage, respectively. As for performance (we knew you’ve been waiting for this part), Audi claims the e-tron GT produces a total of 590 hp thanks to a pair of electric motors mounted to the front and rear axles. Torque is put down to all four wheels.

The electronic control system coordinates the drive between the axles as well as between left and right wheels, meaning optimum traction and just the desired amount of slip. Audi predicts a 0-62 mph time in about 3.5 seconds and 0-100 in just over 12 seconds, while top speed is regulated to 149 mph.

The concept can already achieve a range of over 248.5 miles thanks to a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, located under the floor between the front and rear axles. As with all EVs with this layout, the e-tron GT has a very low center of gravity. There’s also an energy recuperation system that increases range by up to 30 percent. Charging can be done in a few ways, such as simply using a cable and plugging it in to a charger. Because it’s fitted with an 800-volt system, an 80 percent charge can be achieved in only 20 minutes. Wireless charging, via a charging pad on the ground, is also possible.

If all goes to plan, Audi will begin production of the e-tron GT in 2020 with first deliveries expected in 2021. Word has it Ironman has already placed an order.

6 Concepts From Geneva 2018 We Hope Reach Production

We hope to see all of these concepts on the street soon.

The Geneva Motor Show is the most important auto show of the year, where manufacturers wow us with their most impressive ideas. Some of the cars on display are being revealed to the public for the first time, while others are simply being shown for a second or even third time. We've taken a look at our favorite concept cars from the 2018 show. None are production ready yet, but all of them deserve to be green lit and we hope to see them on the road soon.

BMW M8 Gran Coupe

BMW was already in our good graces after it announced the return of the 8 Series Coupe. While we wish the company would have announced a production version of the new 8 Series, we'll settle for a concept version of the new M8 Gran Coupe. True to BMW's naming conventions, the M8 Gran Coupe is a four-door-coupe M variant of the already stunning 8 Series. This will likely be BMW's new flagship car and we can't wait to see what it looks like when it reaches production.

Toyota Gazoo Racing Supra

The Gazoo Racing Supra Concept was another spectacular, if not slightly disappointing, reveal. We were excited to finally see a production version of the new Supra, but all we got was yet another concept car. Just like with the Acura NSX, the wait for the new Supra is starting to become tiresome. Even if all we got was a concept, it would have been more effective to show off the road-going Supra rather than the race version. We still don't know what the real Supra will be like or how much it will cost. Enthusiasts can only wait so long for a car before it starts to become boring.

Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo

When it comes to getting us excited for a production car, the Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo may have been the best concept at the show. Instead of just showing some futuristic metal, Porsche brought out a nearly production ready car accompanied with actual performance figures. The Mission E Cross Turimso will have over 600 horsepower from its EV drivetrain. 0-60 mph will take less than 3.5 seconds and the 120 mph top speed will take just 12 seconds to hit. We didn't think a high riding version of the Mission E could impress us this much, but Porsche did it right.

Aston Martin Lagonda Vision

Aston Martin gained a lot of attention by revealing a track-only version of the Valkyrie at Geneva, but that wasn't the brand's only surprise. The company also showed off the Lagonda Vision Concept: a preview of the brand's luxurious EV models. Lagonda has two vehicles planned by 2023, one of which will be a four-door Rolls-Royce Phantom rival inspired by this concept car. We believe an EV drivetrain may be the only path to matching the smoothness of a Rolls-Royce V12. We can't wait to see the first production Lagonda in 2023.

Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Concept

So far, all of the concept cars on this list are slated to reach production in some form. It is doubtful that our next two concepts will ever be seen on the streets, but this doesn't mean they aren't awesome. The Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Concept was built to show off the company's future design language known internally as ‘Sensuous Sportiness.' If this is how future Hyundai models will be styled, count us impressed. We doubt any future Hyundai models will end up looking this interesting, but it does give us plenty of hope for the company's future.

Pininfarina HK GT

The final concept car on our list wasn't actually built by a car manufacturer. Instead, it was built by Italian design house Pininfarina. The HK GT Concept was built for the Hong Kong-based Hybrid Kinetic Group. This 2+2 electric grand-tourer has 1,072 hp and can hit 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. No production version was announced, but Pininfarina did show off a production version of the hydrogen-powered H2 Speed. It may be a long shot, but the HK GT Concept could eventually reach production.