10 Of The Most Influential Concept Cars Ever Made

Key Points:

• Concept cars are typically built by automakers to explore new engineering or design ideas, but many modern concepts serve more as PR tools rather than technologies destined for production, such as BMW's color-shifting I Vision Dee.
• Historically, influential concept cars like the Buick Y-Job introduced design elements such as hidden headlights and automatic transmissions, while Alfa Romeo’s B.A.T. concepts pioneered aerodynamic features still used in high-performance cars today.
• The Lamborghini Countach’s iconic wedge shape and scissor doors were inspired by the Alfa Romeo Carabo concept, highlighting how some concepts significantly impact automotive design language.
• Technological innovations from concept cars include Mercedes-Benz’s C111 multi-link rear suspension and BMW’s E25 Turbo’s early adoption of active safety systems like radar-based brake monitors and seatbelt reminders.
• Concepts like the 1978 Italdesign Lancia Megagamma influenced the minivan segment with its monovolume architecture, while the 1989 Toyota RAV-FOUR concept pioneered the now-standard unibody SUV platform, and GM’s 1990 Impact concept helped reignite interest in electric vehicles and introduced the skateboard chassis widely used in modern EVs.