5 Concept vehicles that we would love to drive today!

Last week we mentioned, in our honest opinion, some of the ugliest vehicles that can be still seen on our roads. It never crossed our mind that we will have a new entry so quick after we published that article!

Indeed, after we gave a good pat on Jeep’s back for their new line up of vehicles, they decided to introduce another model and ruin their positive roll. We are, of course, talking about 2014 Jeep Cherokee, new model from famous SUV manufacturer that already became mocked all over Internet for its radical redesign.

 

The main problem is the front end, where we don’t mind its overall “roundness“ but choice and placement of details. Headlights are too different from everything we ever saw with the Jeep logo on it and they seam too high on the hood. Engineers probably determined to place it there because of the weird shape of them, which, we expect, might not work well anywhere else. When we add strange new design of the grill which is bended in the middle, the only conclusion we can take out it is that they thought being brave can be rewarding in the end.

 

So far it doesn’t seam like it, but history showed us that sales aren’t always determined by the attractiveness of the vehicle. We will wait to try it out first for our definite opinion.

This case only got us thinking. Some weird and, to be absolutely blunt, ugly beyond measure concepts make it into production, god knows why, but instead some other great ideas get thrown in the recycle bin. When design looks so good and it is cut in pre-production, it’s just a shame, but what hurts fans even more is when some concept surface every couple of years without clear date of the premiere.

As automotive manufacturers continue to tease us this way, continuously for years (and years to come even!) we decided to present to you several vehicles that are still not (some, not even close) to assembly line, but we would love to drive them today.

Volkswagen Microbus Concept

When we talk about great concept vehicles there isn‘t one that warms our heart more than Volkswagen New Microbus. New version of iconic vehicle is perfect example of what we don’t like about concept vehicles – their future isn’t carved in stone.

 

Thought by success of a  redesigned Beetle, Volkswagen figured it would be great move to offer another redesigned classic – legendary Type 2. Either of its past body types (Transporter, Kombi and Microbus or whatever other name that was used for this vehicle) was enormously popular all over the world enough to gather considerable number of fans in line for the new revision. And all eyes were on the Microbus Concept in 2001, when it was initially announced. Volkswagen had great plans about it with over 80,000 units produced each year after premiere, but however, new “hippie van“ was cancelled by 2006.

Volkswagen then gave Chrysler the task of reviving Microbus, which no one in company didn’t consider up until recently when new version of the concept surfaced, with almost no difference at all from the original idea.

It is actually built on the platform of Volkswagen Touran, a bit smaller than the first concept, but it still houses three rows of seats. Its shape is still same as the original Type 2, which is excellent choice, but we are kind of disappointed that headlights aren’t round. Still it very much resembles the original van that everyone came to love and something that would be fun to drive. Though, it is still not known whether it will be all wheel drive, that option we are looking forward the most.

The new plan is to showcase this model to the public during this year, with start of production somewhere in 2014. Hopefully, this time for real.

McLaren P1

Yes, it is finally time to see successor to legendary McLaren F1! With either looks, exclusivity, price and, of course the speed, legendary F1 model dominated roads during 90s. Finally engineers from McLaren decided to give us long awaited the new glimpse of their next step towards ultimate fast car.

 

McLaren P1 looks great, with shown model shining in bright orange color. The lines follow previous super-car from this manufacturer, MP4-12C, but design is closer to F1. The overall look of the car was really improved by fantastic headlights, which are supposed to represent company’s recognisable logo.

 

Under the hood there is a 3.8-litre twin-turbo petrol engine, but there is also a electric motor, which is big innovation compared to F1. Motor won’t be nearly as fast as the petrol engine, of course, which will be capable of reaching easily the speeds of locked 220 mph or 350 km/h. It will take P1 less than 3 seconds for zero to 60 mph, and for 180mph it will take less than 17 seconds! These results are, so far, 5 seconds better than McLaren F1!

 

Of course, McLaren plans to retain its exclusivity with small production of only 375 units per year, charging single P1 around £866,000 which is more than $1,3 million. At this year’s Geneva Motor Show (which starts of March 7th and lasts until March 17th), more details will surface but it is already clear that only lucky ones will get the opportunity to drive this beast soon (or ever).

Ford Atlas

North American International Auto Show was more than one month ago and people still talk about vehicles presented at that event. When you look at the Ford Atlas, how could they not?

We’ve already written about it and you might’ve got that this “isn’t real“ vehicle, but more of a concept for future F – Series trucks. When you have in mind that Ford’s flagship truck is dominating sales charts in United States, you also understand why this concept is so important.

When we take out those blue neon lights (yeah, Ford, we think people are long over The Fast and Furious and styling introduced in early 2000s), Atlas really looks like something we would love driving. The first impression, for the most, viewers are those sharp lines and somewhat “blocky” design (Ford clearly gave up on curves long time ago), but many also think it’s bulkier than previous models. Those ideas are perfectly translated into interior, and even if it looks “flashy“, we can see its qualities beneath the blue lit cab.

Atlas impressed us by its abilities, implemented technologies, and it certainly won‘t hurt if Ford decides to keep promises about improved fuel economy (we won’t expect too much in that area though).

Overall, it looks like a pickup truck ready for future and a significant improvement which we would love to try it out or even own, yet there is not even slight indication that we will something similar in near future.

Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis

At the North American International Auto Show, famous South Korean producer, Hyundai decided to show us their significantly improved premium model Genesis.

 

Hi-Tech might be the perfect term for changes that Hyundai implemented in their well know car. HCD-14 Genesis was shown with redesigned front end, improved back and new bold lines on everything else. It really looks impressive, placing this model somewhere between limo and a sport car. New Genesis was created minimalistic too: there aren’t door knobs, and inside buttons are reduced to the minimum. Doors are interesting, because they open like gates on some old villa leaving front and back row of seats absolutely open and with easy access. Interior suggests that it is actually created for passengers, and not the drivers, too.

 

HCD-14 Genesis has 5.0 Tau GDI engine (that’s V8) and features 8-speed automatic transmission, which might not say much it being a concept, meaning that everything can be changed in the final product. So far we were impressed  by numerous new innovations like, although 3D gestures recognition controls look more like a gimmick than something we might actually want to use.

 

It will be interesting to see how much will manufacturer keep out of the promised capabilities of new Genesis, but also, will it retain reasonable price for all of these features, which was characteristic of previous models.

Kia CrossGT

After Cadenza and Quoris, Kia unveiled another interesting premium model at the Chicago Auto Show. CrossGT obviously points out that it is in fact a crossover utility vehicle, another entry in the category that wasn’t as successful for this company in the recent past, judging by Borrego’s sad fate.

Futuristic look of the vehicle is emphasized by the aerodynamic lines and sharp lights, either in the front, or in the back (“thin line“ might be a keyword nowadays when it comes to designing lights on the vehicles). Grill stays reminiscent of the Kia‘s other models, pointing out that they want to be recognised easily, but besides that it looks attractive on CrossGT. The same can be said for multi-panel panoramic roof.

As far as the power goes, CrossGT features hybrid combo with 3.8-liter V6 engine mostly in charge of the action. 8-speed automatic transmission is also include, with all wheel drive, ready to offer some off road action.

 

Even though it is just a concept and there is a big probability it won’t make it in production, we hope that some details and features of CrossGT will be implemented in future Kia vehicles.

Which one do you like the best? Do you even agree with our choices? What other car/SUV/vehicle concept would you love to take for a spin one day? Let us know in the comments!