Mercedes Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile was among the cream of the concept car crop during 2015
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The DBX is Aston Martin's vision for the luxury GT car of the future
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There doesn't appear to be a heap of space inside the DBX, although those skeletal seats should keep things comfy for rear-seat passengers
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At the rear, the DBX is unmistakably an Aston Martin with those horseshoe taillights and integrated rear spoiler
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It might look compact in the pictures, but in the metal the DBX is a big, bruising hunk of metal
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Aston Martin has envisaged an F1-style kinetic energy recovery system for the DBX's electric powertrain
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Yamaha might not be known for its cars, but the Sports Ride Concept is a brilliant looking piece of kit
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The car is compact in the metal, about the same size as a Mazda MX-5
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The Sports Ride Concept is built about a carbon tub
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The details on Yamaha's concept are beautifully wrought, from the air intakes to the wing mirrors
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Slick aerodynamic touches abound, but there's no word about a powertrain
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The car's tub is Gordon Murray's iStream design
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The car's dainty wheels don't need to deal with much weight - the Sports Ride Concept weighs less than 900 kg
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Those central exhaust bring to mind the Pagani Zonda's high-mounted setup
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The interior is finished in beautiful leather and shiny metals
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The Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo is the latest in a long line of concept cars designed to tackle the virtual racetrack in Gran Turismo
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While some cars don't bear any considerations to the real world, Bugatti's creation has been designed with real aerodynamics in mind
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There are details on the Vision Gran Turismo that we expect to appear on the production Chiron
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The writing on the car's wheels is purely for show, but adds to its racer feel
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The car's design bears more than a passing resemblance to the Veyron from some angles
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That fin running down the center of the roof is designed to increase stability
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Those squinting LED headlamps give the vision Gran Turismo a distinctive face
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In its two-tone paint job, the Vision Gran Turismo looks like it could be a production racer
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We're expecting the Chiron to launch in Geneva next year
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Ford wowed the Detroit Motor Show with GT early this year
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The GT's rear wing adjusts its angle and pitch depending on the driving conditions and speed
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The GT is powered by a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 producing over 600 hp
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The car's fighter-jet style cabin has been designed for optimal aerodynamics and visibility
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Ford has committed to putting the GT into production
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It might have a long-running nameplate, but the car's carbon tub and turbocharged engine make the new GT a thoroughly modern supercar
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With a carbon tub, carbon fiber body panels and aluminum subframes, the GT is designed to be super lightweight
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The GT's taillights allow air to flow through them for better aero on the go
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The GT was one of the biggest surprises of the year
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The GT's interior designers have taken a leaf out Ferrari's book by stacking the car's wheel with buttons
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Ford is promising one of the best power to weight ratios on the road
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The Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 takes Bentley's current pipe-and-slippers design philosophy and throws it out the window
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Inside, the rising center console is a far cry from the airy interior in the Continental GT
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The EXP 10 could be powered by a hybrid powertrain instead of a big W12 or V8 like the Continental
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Down back, there's plenty of room for your weekend bags
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Quilted leather is a throwback to old-fashioned British luxury
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As you'd expect, Bentley has gone all out to make sure the details are perfect on the Speed 6
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The 6 on the grille is only visible from certain angles according to our man on the ground
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There's no mistaking the EXP 10 for anything other than a Bentley, but it is a far sportier Bentley than anything we've seen in recent years
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The car's paint has been designed to hark back to the days of British Racing Green
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The car's quad headlamps are very similar to those on the Continental GT
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The car's creased haunches make it look strong and planted on the motorshow stand - we can only assume it's the same when the car hits the road
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As you'd expect, there are rumours flying around about whether the EXP 10 Speed 6 will make production
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Those five spoke wheels are one of the highlights of the Bentley's design
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Oval detailing is one of the strongest features on the back of the car
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Toyota has designed the S-FR to slot in underneath the GT86 in its range of rear-drive sports cars
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The car's face is not exactly pretty, but the concept behind it is one that should excite petrolheads the world over
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Toyota is staying tight lipped on the possibility of the S-FR reaching production, but there are reports that it could be built as early as next year
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The S-FR should handle nicely thanks to its front-mid engine layout and fully independent suspension setup
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The Mazda MX-5 is a similar size to the S-FR, and has a similar design philosophy
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McLaren has had a horror season in F1, so it's not surprising to see them looking to the future with the MP4-X
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The car's cabin has been designed after injuries to drivers like Jules Bianchi
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McLaren and Honda have taken the approach that everything needs redesigning, from the engine and fuel to the exterior
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It might look like a real car, but the MP4-X is just flight of fancy at the moment
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The tail section of the Concept IAA extends by 390 mm to improve its drag coefficient
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The car looks like a classic coupe without the tail section extended, but when it's protruding it looks like nothing else on the road
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Up front, the IAA mirrors the F015's styling
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Mercedes Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile was among the cream of the concept car crop during 2015
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The car's tech has been used to improve fuel efficiency, but it also has a positive impact on top speed and acceleration figures
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Although it's got all sorts of design cues that appear on other Mercedes concepts, the Concept IAA's tail section is reminiscent of that on the Audi A7
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The IAA with its tail fully extended
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Mercedes has worked hard to improve the aerodynamics on its production cars, so its not surprising to see it pushing the envelope in concept form
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The Mazda RX-Vision wowed the Tokyo Motor Show with its slinky design and the potential to herald the return of the rotary
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Mazda hasn't given any powertrain details for the car, but says it's powered by a Skyactiv-R rotary
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Inside, the cabin has been designed to look after the driver before all else
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Just looking at those dials and the open gated shifter is enough to get us excited about the prospect of getting behind the wheel
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The car's launch was the most exciting part of the Tokyo Show, as you can tell by the scrum of media outlets scrambling to get pictures
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The car's bonnet is very long, but in the metal the proportions all make sense
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The RX vision's LED lights are designed to hark back to the popup headlamps on the RX-7
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Carbon wheels have been used to keep weight as low as possible
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The car's taillights are one of the most prominent nods to the Mazda's past rotary sportscars
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The car is finished in the same deep candy red as the rest of Mazda's recent concepts
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Mazda's execs wouldn't give up any information about how the rotary has been made efficient enough to work in a modern context, but the Skyactiv badge is a sign the car has been designed with fuel saving in mind
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The Porsche Mission E has been confirmed for production by 2020
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The car's front end draws on the 918's design, but offers a far more futuristic way of looking at Porsche's classic cues
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With four doors and four seats, the Mission E is a far more attractive way of hauling your family than the bloated Panamera
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Porsche claims the car will do 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds
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The car will charge to 80 percent full in just 15 minutes thanks to an 800 volt charging system
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The car's broad rear end evokes the 911 without looking derivative
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The car stole the show in Frankfurt
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Although those huge wheels might be toned down for production, the design looks like it's ready to hit the road
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Porsche is claiming a 500+ km range from the lithium-ion batteries
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The electric motors draw on tech used in Porsche's Le Mans winning 919 Spyder
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The Honda Project 2&4 combines motorbike power with a skeletal road car design
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That seat can be transferred from side to side depending on where in the world it's on show
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There's no turbos involved in the car's 999cc V4 engine - just a faintly ridiculous 14,000 rpm redline to chase
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It's just a dream at the moment, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that Honda will green light the car for production - the Ariel Atom has had it too easy for too long
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The Ford GT is slated for production in 2016, but still managed to sneak onto our list as an honorable mention
Since the start of 2015, Gizmag has racked up plenty of sky miles chasing stories about the latest cars and in-car technology at the world's major motor shows and beyond. From American heroes at the LA and Detroit shows to the latest from German powerhouses in Geneva and Frankfurt, we've seen all manner of concept cars. Some were brilliant, while some would've been better if they'd stayed on the drawing board.
As usual, some of the best concepts of the year were high-end sports cars that point to the future of performance driving with clever powertrains, slick aerodynamics and dramatic styling. Here are our picks for the best of 2015.
10. Aston Martin DBX
Aston Martin has envisaged an F1-style kinetic energy recovery system for the DBX's electric powertrain
Chris Weiss/Gizmag
Aston Martin might be best known for creating drop-dead gorgeous sports coupes, or even for its work with James Bond's Q-Branch, but the concept that has made it into our list this year is actually an SUV. The DBX made a surprise appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. According to Aston CEO Dr. Andy Palmer, "it envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible."
Beyond the CEO's slightly ambitious wish list, Aston Martin's engineers are very clear the DBX should be packing a high-tech drivetrain. Power will come from motors in all four wheels, which allows the car to operate in all-wheel drive and frees up space under the hood for storage – important when bootspace is heavily impacted by that sloping roofline. In Aston's vision for the DBX, the motors draw power from lithium-sulfur cells that replenish through an F1-style kinetic energy recovery system (KERS).
9. Yamaha Sports Ride Concept
Yamaha might not be known for its cars, but the Sports Ride Concept is a brilliant looking piece of kit
Urs Stemmler/Gizmag
Yamaha may be a brand known for its motorbikes and musical instruments, but in 2015 it gave us something special on four wheels.
Built around an iStream carbon fiber monocoque designed by Gordon Murray, the Yamaha Sports Ride Concept features a chassis made up of two carbon skins sandwiched around honeycomb core, a method designed to cut the cost and time currently involved in creating carbon fiber for cars. Because of that lightweight carbon core, the MX-5-sized Sports Ride Concept weighs just 750 kg (1654 lb).
There's no word on what might be powering the car, or if it will ever reach production, but the thought of a carbon-tubbed car powered by the motor from the bonkers YZF-R1 is an enticing one.
8. Toyota S-FR
The Mazda MX-5 is a similar size to the S-FR, and has a similar design philosophy
While it may not be pretty to look at, the S-FR is on our list because of what it stands for in the world of sports car motoring. Launched at the Tokyo Motor Show, the tiny Toyota has been designed as a small, rear-drive sports car to slot in underneath the GT86.
Exactly what could slot in under the bulbous hood has not been disclosed, but Toyota was at pains to explain the car has been designed with sharp, responsive handling in mind. The engine is set back in a front-mid mounted configuration for better weight distribution, and there's independent suspension at each corner to help keen drivers keep control on the road or track.
7. Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo
We're expecting the Chiron to launch in Geneva next year
Chris Weiss/Gizmag
Gran Turismo has spawned some of the most exciting concept cars of the past few years, but none are more exciting than the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo. That's because this Bugatti isn't just a flight of digital fancy – elements of its design preview the Chiron that will debut in Geneva.
Whereas a lot of the cars conceived for Gran Turismo bear no resemblance to road cars, Bugatti has made a real effort to make sure every element of the design serves some practical purpose. For example the NACA duct on the roof has been designed to channel air to the engine without creating turbulence, and the central fin on the roof of the car contributes to dynamic stability.
Thanks to Bugatti's latest simulation models for dynamics and aerodynamics, we even know that the car should top 400 km/h (250 mph) in four separate areas of Le Mans.
6. McLaren MP4-X
It might look like a real car, but the MP4-X is just flight of fancy at the moment
Since swapping to Honda power at the start of this season, McLaren's fortunes in Formula One have taken a steep downturn. It's no surprise, then, the brand has decided to take a look beyond the current situation and do some blue-sky thinking about the future of motorsports.
The MP4-X is what happened when McLaren's engineers pondered the future of fuels, lubricants and power – including electrical power. This approach means the MP4-X's design integrates batteries into the crash structures of the car, and the body includes solar cells that provide extra charge, augmenting the energy recovered by KERS systems.
There's a lot more to the body than just solar panels. The most noticeable aspect of the whole design is the canopy, an idea discussed in the wake Jules Bianchi's death. For a full rundown of what the MP4-X can do, check out Aaron Turpen's in-depth look at the car.
5. Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6
Those five spoke wheels are one of the highlights of the Bentley's design
Chris Weiss/Gizmag
The EXP 10 was one of the biggest surprises dropped on the world's motoring press this year. According to Bentley, the EXP 10 Speed 6 is designed to be the ideal "British interpretation of a high performance two seater using modern automotive design, highly skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology."
While details about what's lurking beneath the car's British Racing Green exterior are scarce, Bentley has hinted that the EXP's powertrain will attempt to move the game on by incorporating hybrid power instead of simply taking the W12 or V8 from the Continental GT and plonking it under the hood.
The EXP also moves away from the current Bentley trends inside, eschewing pipe-and-slippers styling for a sporty design with a steeply rising centre console and digital gauges in front of the driver.
4. Mercedes Concept IAA
Up front, the IAA mirrors the F015's styling
Chris Weiss/Gizmag
Okay, so the Concept Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile isn't a sports car in the traditional sense of the word. There's no fire-breathing engine under the hood, and it's not connected to the AMG engineers in Affalterbach.
What has pushed the Concept IAA up to number four on our list is the clever aerodynamics tech that kicks in at 80 km/h (50 mph). Eight segments built into the rear of the car extend the tail section by up to 390 mm (15 in), and flaps built into the front bumper protrude by 25 mm forward and 20 mm towards the rear of the car to improve airflow around the front.
By moving these elements, in tandem with the moving elements on the wheels, the car's drag coefficient drops from 0.25 to a super-slinky 0.19, helping to eke out a few extra miles of all-electric power.
3. Mazda RX-Vision
The car's launch was the most exciting part of the Tokyo Show, as you can tell by the scrum of media outlets scrambling to get pictures
Scott Collie/Gizmag
Launched at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Mazda RX-Vision is the result of the Japanese company's designers being let loose to explore its KODO design language in a front engine, rear-drive rotary coupe.
Just like any good Mazda sports car, there's a rotary hiding under that shapely hood. Although we don't know anything beyond the fact its called Skyactiv-R, the RX-Vision comes from a long line of legendary sports cars, including the RX-7 and the 787B which, in 1991, became the only Japanese car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Unfortunately, heavy fuel and oil consumption killed the rotary over three years ago. But by badging this concept Skyactiv, Mazda has indicated a willingness to find an efficient solution to making the rotary work in the real world. Here's hoping it gets to production.
2. Porsche Mission E
Porsche is claiming a 500+ km range from the lithium-ion batteries
Chris Weiss/Gizmag
Having been overawed by the Tesla Model S' incredible acceleration, Gizmag is well and truly convinced there's a future for all-electric supercars. So you can imagine our excitement when Porsche dropped its battery powered Mission E in Frankfurt.
Sitting beneath the car's curvy bodywork are two permanent magnet synchronous motors, which combine for a total output of 447 kW (600 hp), enough to silently transport it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.5 seconds, and on to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 12 seconds.
What's more, Porsche has committed to building the car before 2020, with a 500+ km (311+ mi) range and an 800-volt charging system that can boost the lithium-ion batteries to 80 percent in just 15 minutes. Look out Tesla!
1. Honda Project 2&4
The Honda Project 2&4 combines motorbike power with a skeletal road car design
The incredible Honda Project 2&4 dropped at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it tantalized us with a motorcycle powered alternative to the Ariel Atom and BAC Mono. Power comes from the RC213V motorbike's 999cc V4 engine, which is mated to a six-speed dual clutch gearbox for lightning quick changes.
As you'd expect of a motorbike engine, the 2&4's motor does its best work at high revs. Although Honda says the it has been tuned for use on public roads, the engine still produces its peak 158 kW (212 hp) at a screaming 13,000 rpm. The car's maximum 118 Nm of torque is on tap from 10,500 rpm, making it the perfect antidote to today's focus on low-rev torque and turbochargers. If you want to get somewhere quickly, that engine demands you keep your foot in all the way to its 14,000 rpm redline.
It's just a dream at the moment, but we're keeping our fingers crossed that Honda will green light the car for production - the Ariel Atom has had it too easy for too long
Scott Collie/Gizmag
In keeping with the car's pure, motorcycle inspired design there's hardly any bodywork to get in the way. In fact, there's very little in the way of an interior, with the driver sitting just centimetres off the ground on a lightweight seat. Instead of a traditional instrument binnacle, there's just a small display attached to the steering column.
Interestingly, the car's seat can be moved from side to side: it was launched in left-hand drive at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the seat was moved to the right hand side for the Tokyo Show later in the year.
We've got our fingers and toes crossed in the hope Honda will put Project 2&4 into production.
Honorable Mention: Ford GT
The car's fighter-jet style cabin has been designed for optimal aerodynamics and visibility
Loz Blain/Gizmag
Given that Ford has made it abundantly clear that the GT is destined for production, it's not strictly a concept car – but it looks so radically good that we feel it deserves an honorable mention here.
Packing a twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 under its clear engine cover, Ford is promising the GT will have "one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car." It will also take advantage of active aerodynamics thanks to a rear spoiler that adjusts its height and pitch angle depending on speed, driver inputs and road conditions.
To keep weight down, Ford engineers have taken a leaf out of McLaren's book and given the car a full carbon passenger cell. The front and rear subframes are made of aluminum, while carbon has been used for certain structural body panels as another weight saving measure.
And that's it! What gets your vote for the best concept car of 2015? Let us know in the comments below.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Scott grew up with a passion for cars and a love of writing. He now combines the two by covering all things automotive for New Atlas. When he’s got a spare moment, you can usually find him freezing himself silly in search of fresh powder to ski.
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Tom Lee Mullins
I think some are really nice but some are not so good looking; IMO. I really like the first one.
Mirmillion
Ford, Yamaha and Porsche (in that order) seem to have imagined the immediate future in a way that is both incremental and realizable. I'd be particularly interested in the Yamaha, should it reach production.
BZD
Mazda is #1 for me. Not only does it look amazing on the outside and has even better interior it is also one that is reasonably close to being a future production model.
Stephen N Russell
I go for 10,9,7,5,4,3,2 as best models Id drive, some Id love to own
Produce em, need for Sales & Rentals.
Daishi
My vote goes to Arcimoto SRK electric trike. Trikes are technically motorcycles but being enclosed it has potential to be used as an extremely cheap commuter vehicle.
CorvetteRacer
Who is designing cars at Toyota these days? Jimmy Houston and Bill Dance?!!!