Are concept cars worth it?

[Smokey 6 litre]

I see lots of concept cars on the internet, all the big companies release them, but rarely ever produce them.

I like this car, its a Lexus, and i'd love to drive it...but they're not going to produce it, so why release it.
Its not like anything produced this decade by Lexus will even reflect it...so why bother?

[Smokey 6 litre]

Forgot to post the car

[josvandeperre]

Concept cars serve a lot of purposes
1 - trial technology
2 - trial visual ideas
3 - preview new models
4 - get publicity
5 - get publicity
6 - get publicity
7 - etc etc

[Dave Brand]

Concept cars serve two useful purposes. Firstly, they enable a manufacturer to gauge public reaction to new styling ideas without the expense of tooling up for production, secondly they give the manufacturers of dull, boring cars something interesting to put onm their motor show stands.

[Adam43]

I think this has been linked before, but here is the latest 'news' from sniffpetrol on the concept cars.
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue042.html

[Neil C]

There seems to be two types of concept car development. Those that are "art for art's sake", which rarely see production in any form similar to the original; then there are those that are very close to the final intended production model, such as the '05 Mustang.

The Lexus above seems to be the former more than the latter. If they do build it though, I hope they put the rearview mirror on the correct end of the car.

[evo]

That Lexus was used in the movie Minority Report. I believe it was just made so Lexus could get thier name in that film, which was set in the future.

[TimD]

Of course, the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler were both concept cars which made it into production after public clamour.

But there were lots of others I would have loved to see more of. The Lamborghini Marzal, the Alfa Romeo Carabeo and a beautiful Bertone-rendered Jaguar D Type spring to mind.

[Adam43]

Originally posted by TimD
a beautiful Bertone-rendered Jaguar D Type spring to mind.

I'm intreged! Another one other than the ones included here? http://www.bertone.it/en/storia_prototipi_en.htm
Quite a collection of cars that look like concepts!

[Adam43]

Not only am I intreged (which is quite painful), but I am also intrigued!

[GTV27]

Checked out the bertone site - looked at all the Alfas (of course) - what a bunch of absolute DOGS - didn't look much further (well, I checked the mustang as well and it was well and truly pants too).

if that's representative of the quality of concept cars, then there's a good reason they don'e get past the concept stage!

[garcon]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
I think this has been linked before, but here is the latest 'news' from sniffpetrol on the concept cars.
http://www.sniffpetrol.com/issue042.html

Nothing whatsoever to do with concept cars (that Lexus is going backwards, by the way), just thought I'd mention that yours truly can claim the credit for Sniff Petrol extensively using the acronym for Two Wheeled Alternative Transport in their moped campaign...

[peteconnors]

I was reading an interesting article the other week on Prince Jefri of Brunei; the Sultans' brother. The Sultan made him minister of finance (something he would later regret...), and Jefri's spending habits were estimated at £750,000 a day. For 10 years. In the mid nineties he was Rolls Royces best customer, they reckon he was responsible for over half the income, and kept the company going! He would have his men order the concept cars, usually half a dozen at a time (bulk rate discount, seriously). Because his brother was the Sultan, he would get the emissions regs for the country to fit his cars. Bentley estates, Ferrari 456 4doors, you name it he got it. He even had several Phantom Vs made at a cost of £6,000,000 each. In the end the Sultan noticed that $40billion was missing from the countries coffers. He took Jefri to court, and sold a lot of his stuff to recoup the money. The cars stayed apparently, and although no one knows how many he has, estimates put it between 3 and 5 thousand. And that's why manufacturers build concepts...
His crowning achievement was sending his private jet half way around the planet to pick up some paint to redecorate one of his palace rooms. Not sure that they have B&Q in Brunei though, so there's some justification...

[garcon]

Saw some pictures of some of those creations. A Bentley SUV!

Is nothing sacred?

[peteconnors]

There's a Rambo Lambo one-off estate for sale up north somewhere at the moment. It's a shame that he probably hasn't even driven most of his cars yet (if he drove one in the morning, one afternoon and one evening, it would be 4 years before he got back to the first one!).