Concept cars are a great way for manufacturers to test new designs and impress consumers—and more than just looking good, these cars have inspired some of the greatest breakthroughs in automotive engineering. While there have been many incredible concept cars built over the last few decades, these five stand out against the crowd. For their technological innovation, impressive handling, and impeccable looks, these are the world’s coolest concept cars.
1995 Ford GT90
Ford Press Room
The 90s were one of the most creative time periods in automotive history, especially when it came to designing supercars. It was this era that gave us the popular Ford GT90. The GT90 was originally designed to compete in Le Mans against European titans like Ferrari and McLaren and features an angular exterior that exemplifies the style at the time. This car was a bonified hotrod and featured a powerful V12 quad-turbocharged engine that could hit a top speed of 250 mph. Ford scrapped plans to produce the GT90 soon after it was unveiled, but appearances in several video games have kept the car in the public eye.
1997 Volkswagen W12
Volkswagen Press Room
For decades, Volkswagen has been renowned for making cars that have a perfect balance of performance and style. The W12 was no exception to this and featured an innovative narrow-angle engine, allowing for the installation of a six-cylinder engine in place of a four-cylinder engine. This new type of engine was called the VR6, and it has since become a common feature in other Volkswagen models. With a VR6 quad-turbo engine, the W12 had an impressive 414 horsepower and a top speed of 222 mph. The W12 was Volkswagen's only attempt at making a supercar, and though it never hit production lines, it is still one of the most innovative and impactful concept cars ever designed.
2008 Citroen GT
Citroën Press Room
The Citroen GT first made waves when it appeared in the popular racing game, Gran Turismo 5. After the virtual concept was unveiled, Citroen went on to design a life-sized version of the GT. With futuristic curves, diamond-cut alloy wheels, and scissor doors, this look of this car hinted at the power and speed beneath the hood. Equipped with a V8 engine, the Citroen GT had 588 horsepower and a top speed of 180 mph. Although Citroen planned to do a limited production run of six GTs, the endeavor proved too costly and was scrapped.
2006 Lamborghini Miura
Lamborghini Press Room
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the acclaimed Miura, Lamborghini designed a concept version of the supercar. The exterior of the Miura concept didn’t deviate too much from the design of the original and featured alluring curves with dark, tinted windows. Although the concept had a V12 engine, admirers never got to see its performance capabilities. The sole purpose of the Miura concept was to pay homage to the original model, and it is now parked on display at the Lamborghini Museum in Italy.
2002 Cadillac Cien
Cadillac Press Room
The Cien is Cadillac’s first foray into the world of supercars and was designed to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. The bold exterior design of the Cien was inspired by the F-22 Raptor, while the performance engineering was akin to that of F1 racecars. The Cien was equipped with a mighty V12 engine that it gave it 750 horsepower and a top speed of 217 mph. This beauty never made it to production, but it did get its time in the limelight with several film and video game cameos. For its menacing looks and incomparable performance, the Cadillac Cien is still one of the world’s coolest concept cars.
