Coming up with a unique and practical car design is no simple process. Many of the wonderful designs we have today and which we now take for granted have evolved from concept designs which may never have reached the mass production stage. What is important about concept cars is that they allow us to preview new technologies and design techniques before they are actually introduced into production-line models. Of course, some of the concepts developed are never actually used. Many designs do not get past the digital model stage. It is this process of trial and error that is important, and which leads to some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring designs which we see today.

A ‘concept car’ or ‘show car’ is generally a prototype which is developed to try new ideas or to demonstrate particular features. Designs can range from purely experimental and quite radical, to the quite practical. Most concepts that get to the physical model stage are displayed at motor shows or on the companies’ websites, as a means of gauging the public reaction to the design. It is from this point that the company will decide whether or not to produce the car en masse.

Concept designs can involve a number of factors. Sometimes, the design will incorporate new layout designs, or differently designed wheels, motors, doors, roofs, and so forth. Sometimes the car will be made out of non-traditional materials, such as new metal alloys, plastics, or paper and cardboard.

Once concept cars have served their purpose – either by being displayed at a motor show with poor response, or failing a safety or practicality test – they may be destroyed, put into storage, or put into a museum. Some of the earlier concept cars are on display in museums in North America and Europe, but many recent designs are still owned privately by the manufacturing companies responsible for their design.