The 10 best concept cars of 2018

Friday, 4 January 2019

Concept cars are created to give us a glimpse into the future of motoring.

So, as we look back on the year that was, it's time to see what the vision of tomorrow looked like in 2018 through the lens of the concept cars that were revealed over the last 12 months.

Peugeot e-Legend

Some of our favourite concept cars of 2018 took a step back in time to showcase the future, including the gorgeous Peugeot e-Legend that was a star of the Paris Motor Show in October.

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The retro-styled coupe takes its design inspiration - both inside and out - from the Pininfarina-penned 504 coupe from the late 1960's, even including sumptuous blue velour chairs in the cabin.

However, it is anything but a simple throwback as the e-Legend is an electric car that can be both engaging to drive or a fully autonomous mobile lounge suite. In any case, we think it's cool as…

Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow

Mercedes-Benz stepped further into the past with its stunning EQ Silver Arrow concept for the annual Pebble Beach Concours event in Monterey, California.

A pure flight of fantasy, the electric-powered single seater recalls the iconic pre-war 'streamliner' grand prix cars.

Infiniti Prototype 10

Concept cars give us a look at a car makers vision of what the future holds. Here are ten of the best that landed in 2018.

Nissan's luxury brand created a similar electric-powered concept for Pebble Beach the year before, but this year's Prototype 10 fast forwarded to the other side of WWII to 'recapture the spirit of the early speedsters'.

The monoposto concept is intended to showcase the upcoming design language that will feature on its next-generation of road cars, with sharper lines and electric powertrains.

Genesis Essentia

If all EVs looked as good as the Peugeot E-Legend, we would have one in a second.

Genesis stole the show in New York with its stunning Essentia coupe concept; an electric-powered sports car that places its battery pack in a T-shape within its frame to lower the centre of gravity.

The South Korean luxury brand is understood to be seriously investigating making it a production reality.

Mercedes' Pebble Beach concept took its inspiration from the legendary streamliner Grand Prix cars.

Aston Martin Lagonda Vision

A concept car that will likely hit the streets is the Aston Martin Lagonda Vision that polarised opinions at the 2018 Geneva motor show.

Last year it was Prototype 9, this year Prototype 10. We wonder what Infiniti will call next year's concept?

The radical-looking machine will become the flagship limousine of Aston's uber-luxury, all-electric division in 2021, offering the ultimate in space and craftsmanship.

Audi PB-18 e-tron

Hyundai are said to be seriously trying to get the Genesis Essentia into production.

One car we hope will make it into production is Audi's PB-18 e-tron; a low-slung, shooting brake-style, electric-powered sports car.

Revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours, the PB-18 is said to preview the styling - if not the mechanical layout - of the next-generation R8 supercar.

Aston Martin is reviving the Lagonda name (again) as a pure electric luxury brand.

Volvo 360c

The fully-autonomous pod is a common concept among car designers, but Volvo's take, with the 360c, brings a sense of style to the idea.

One platform, multiple forms. Renault takes the skateboard concept further with its range of EZ concepts.

A skateboard platform and several different bodies is how Mercedes-Benz sees the future of commercial vehicles.

The Vision iNext previews the next member of BMW's i family of EVs.

Volvo brings a touch of style to the transport pods of the future with the 360c.

The Audi PB-18 e-tron concept hints heavily at the styling of the next R8.

The sleek machine can be configured in a number of different ways, from a mobile meeting room, an entertaining area and even a sleeper cabin. The Swedish brand says autonomous pods could be a viable alternative to short haul flights.

BMW Vision iNext

BMW previewed what will become the third vehicle in its i division for electric vehicles, with the iNext SUV set to join the i3 and i8 in 2021.

The bold-looking SUV, which is expected to be called to the i5 when it officially goes on sale, is said to bring the latest developments in driverless technologies and more efficient batteries.

Mercedes-Benz Urbanetic

If anything, the electric-powered driverless future will become a reality in working vehicles first. And Mercedes-Benz's Urbanetic concept showcases the flexibility of a skateboard-style battery platform in performing more than one role in that it can be either a bold-looking autonomous taxi pod or a delivery vehicle.

Renault EZ-Go/Pro/Ultimo

Renault, however, took that concept one step further with a trilogy of EZ concepts. First was the EZ-GO, a robo ride sharing vehicle. Then came the EZ-Pro, which uses the same electric-powered technology to create a fleet of autonomous delivery pods that can form a road train for quick and easy inner-urban deliveries. And, finally, there was the EZ-Ultimo, Renault's interpretation of tomorrow's hire car limousine.