A concept car is a specialty vehicle designed and manufactured in extremely limited quantities, sometimes one at a time, as a way to show off new advancements in technology, design, and amenities. You may never be able to walk onto a dealership lot and buy a car like this, but aspects of these cool concept cars could become a part of consumer cars yet to come.
What makes the Cadillac Ciel concept car one of the coolest around is that it represents a new trend among car manufacturers of combining classic aesthetics with next generation technology. The Cadillac Ciel is a sleek four-seat convertible in warm ruddy tones inspired by the coastal California sky. The wood paneling is all made from sustainable materials, but the interior wood trim was crafted from a 300 year old fallen Italian tree.
The planned 2014 line of “throwback,” vintage inspired, Cadillac cars will reference all of the design elements of the decked out Ciel, but most likely not to the extreme represented in the concept version.
The Porsche Hybrid 918 Spyder is a rarity; a concept car you can actually buy if you can afford to spend $845,000 on one of the five coolest concept vehicles.
Two electric motors, one on the front and the other at the rear, compliment the Spyder’s rear combustion engine for heightened performance with minimal fuel usage. The car is not only quiet and fuel efficient while reaching its top speed, it is also economical for everyday driving conditions.
Another example of concept cars pushing the limits of electric engines is the Peugeot EX1. The EX1 has two powerful electric engines that provide a silent, smooth, and environmentally friendly driving experience. A tribute to the capabilities of electric power, the EX1 was designed as a concept car for the 200th birthday of Peugeot.
Lexus is famous for its luxurious use of interior technology and does not disappoint with its Lexus LF-LC concept car. The dashboard and most of the interior panels are equipped with touch screen panels. The biggest benefit of this cool car’s touch screen technology is that drivers can access controls for things like windows and locks without taking their eyes off of the road.
The EN-V, an exciting and cool concept car from GM, is the future of transportation. A two wheeled two-seater, the EN-V is an entirely electric vehicle capable of parking and driving itself. The owner of an EN-V could use a smartphone application to bring the empty car to them or send it to pick up someone else. This intelligent vehicle can also take control in order to avoid accidents, or if the driver is distracted or tired. Should the GM EN-V become available to consumers, it could change the way everyone experiences driving.
Concept cars herald the next generation of auto design. The five coolest concept cars combine eco-friendly technology with the most luxurious and powerful designs imaginable.
*Image courtesy of cadillac.com