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.

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.

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.