BMW Z4 Concept

BMW's compact roadster has been out of production for over a year and hasn't seen a redesign since 2009. The new BMW Z4 Concept changes that. It diverts noticeably from the arguably feminine lines of its predecessors, replacing them with sharp edges that lend the car a wedge-like shape. It still holds the same long wheelbase, low-slung silhouette, and compact rear as classic roadsters, albeit accented with aggressive, vertical takes on the company's four-eyed headlights, a slanted kidney grille, and elongated L-shaped rear lights. Inside you'll find a driver-focused cabin with black surfaces denoting the cockpit, while the passenger area is clad in an orange that reflects the Energetic Orange frozen exterior paint. Unlike most concepts, this design study is set to appear in production-ready form sometime in the next year.

Infiniti Prototype 9 Race Car

It's not a "prototype" in the truest sense of the word — it's not a test run for a later production car. Instead, the Infiniti Prototype 9 Race Car is a one-off concept that reimagines a 1940s race car. While its steel body panels and steel ladder frame were built by hand using old-school manufacturing techniques, it's powered by an electric motor producing 148 hp. As a result, it can hit a top speed of over 100 mph and goes from 0-62 in just 5.5 seconds, but won't be of much use anywhere but the track, as its battery only lets it run for roughly 20 minutes at a time. For a firsthand glimpse, visit the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

2006 Lamborghini Concept S

Traditionally, there hasn't been much difference between Lamborghini's concept cars and the production machines. The borderline-outrageous styling and performance filter down quite well from the drawing board to the pavement. The Concept S is just that — a concept — except that it's a fully-functional, street-legal car. Building on the Gallardo platform, Lamborghini created a convertible like no other. There is no canvas or retractable hardtop. The Concept S is a true roadster, with the occupants exposed to the elements. The striking twin-cockpit design separates the driver and passenger and reinforces the look of single seat racing cars of the past. A truly rare car, this one-off drivable concept is the ultimate spyder, with only 115 miles clocked in the last 11 years.

Retro Futuristic Vehicles

Rarely does nostalgia and futurism blend as well as they do in these Retro Futuristic Vehicles concepts from Brazilian designer Jomar Machado. Mixing familiar silhouettes — motorcycles, Mustangs, and Porsches among them — with parts both vintage and currently impossible, they provide a potential glimpse into the future of travel that's both fantastic and yet feels fully grounded.

Photos: Jomar Machado

Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain 4×4²

Started as a hobby car for Mercedes engineer Jürgen Eberle, the Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain 4×4² is now a full-blown concept. While it's based on the standard All-Terrain, it borrows some parts from other models, including the portal axles of the G500 4x4² and a 328 hp, 3.5L turbo V6 from the E400 wagon. It's also 1.5 inches taller and nearly eight inches wider, a stance accommodated by new carbon fiber fender flares, all of which gives it clearance of over 16 inches, approach and departure angles of 35.8 and 35.6 degrees, respectively, and the ability to tackle almost 20 inches of water. No word yet on if it will ever see production, but given MB's history of building absurd off-roaders, we wouldn't rule it out.

Tesla Roadster Y Concept

Rumors have been swirling that Telsa is working on a successor to the Roadster, the first model from the electric car company which ended production in 2012. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, Tesla co-founder Elon Musk did drop a hint at the new Roadster having a 0-60 time of fewer than two seconds, beating the Model S P100D's Ludicrous mode. Keeping with the Spaceballs theme for the high-performance setting, there's only one suitable name left — Maximum Plaid. But until official word comes down from Tesla, we'll have to be content with this excellent concept work by Brazillian designer Vinicius Buch. The slightly asymmetrical open-top roadster features swipe-to-unlock doors and a Tesla logo that doubles as a start button. On the inside, a very minimalist dash has a split touch screen and keyboard, and a very squarish steering wheel. The actual Roadster is rumored for a 2019 launch, so until then we'll have to be content with dreams.

Crossout Nissan GT-R

We all know that the best thing about the apocalypse will be the trick rat rods we get to drive while we're raiding the cult next door for fuel. That's pretty much the plot of Crossout, a game that aims to fulfill your end times fantasies. Think of it as Mad Max LEGOs: You have a massive box of car parts, and you get to assemble the four-wheeled Frankenstein of your dreams. YasidDesign did just that, using a Nissan Skyline GT-R as the base. Paired-down bodywork, hardpoints for attaching large caliber weaponry and a motor swap to something that will be a little easier to maintain than the stock GT-Rs twin-turbo I6 make this the perfect car for navigating the collapse of civilization.

Photos: Yasid Design

Luxury Car Pickup Truck Concepts

Pickups are primarily utilitarian vehicles. These Luxury Car Pickup Truck Concepts by transforming some of the world's sleekest rides into cargo haulers. Created by Neomam Studios for Ford Transit Direct, these renderings cover everything from a Lotus Elise and Lamborghini Urus to a Lexus LF-LC and, since this is a Ford thing, a Ford Fiesta RS. Needless to say, we don't expect to see any of these on the road anytime soon.

BMW 8 Series Concept

Serving as a preview of the upcoming 8 Series Coupe, the BMW Concept 8 Series gives us a glimpse of Bimmer's latest high-end GT. While not much is known about the powertrain or chassis, we can tell from photos that the car has a powerful, muscular built highlighted by the elongated hood and swooping roofline. Also notable are the slim laser headlights, 21-inch light alloy wheels, and a slightly sBarcelona Grey Liquid paint job. While this model is for show only, the production 8 Series Couple is expected to hit the streets next year.

Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior

Inspired by the off-roaders that pre-run stages of desert races, the Mitsubishi L200 Desert Warrior takes a production truck and turns it into a capable runner. It was built in conjunction with Top Gear magazine and engineer Ralph Hosier of RH Engineering and based on a standard L200 long-term test vehicle. In the process, it gained Cobra racing seats on the interior, as well as an exterior roll cage, oversized wheels with self-inflating tires, long-range LED lights, and a heavily modified suspension. The resulting vehicle will be used in a unique challenge to be featured in both the magazine and online.

Tesla T1 Concept

We don't know much about the 2030 24 Hours of Le Mans — it's a long way off — but it's a safe bet the cars won't look the same as they do today. This Tesla T1 Concept is an educated guess at what a futuristic racer might look like. Originally conceived for the Michelin Design Challenge 2017, it uses free-standing wheels with in-wheel vertical turbines to pull the air through ducts and into a large turbine at the rear of the car, creating more power in the process. As a whole, the system is speculated to produce 1,000kW of power — equivalent to over 1,340 hp — in a car that weighs only 900 kg. To help manage all that power, it has grippy Michelin tires (naturally) and both the front and rear axle can turn independently, causing the wheelbase to shorten and make the car more agile.

Photos: Omar Alfarra Zendah

MG E-Motion

With a sports back silhouette that recalls the brand's previous sports cars and a grill and headlights inspired by the London Eye, the MG E-Motion is an exciting mix of the new and the old. Its all-electric powertrain was developed in-house and gives the concept the ability to go from 0-62 mph in under four seconds, with a range of over 300 miles. It's also Internet-connected, with an intelligent infotainment system that makes it as enjoyable for the passenger as it is for the driver.

Audi E-Tron Sportback Concept

Following in the footsteps of the Audi E-Tron SUV, the Audi E-Tron Sportback Concept is a sleek, muscular take on an all-electric vehicle. It's powered by one electric motor on the front axle, two on the rear, and a low-mounted battery pack. The system is capable of delivering 370 kW, or roughly 500 hp, good for a 0-62 time of 4.5 seconds and range over 300 miles. It's similar in size to the A7, with 23-inch wheels, digitally-controlled Matrix LED headlights and a futuristic interior that uses screens to replace everything from gauges and controls to the exterior mirrors. Unlike most forward-thinking concepts, this one's already slated for production, with an expected introduction in 2019.

Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan

Mercedes' recent string of compact vehicles has led to record sales. The Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan is our first look at what the next generation might look like. Its exterior design is notable for its reduction in lines and gaps, Panamericana grille, oversized lower air inlet, 20-inch alloy wheels, and headlamps with a unique grid-like structure made using UV paint, so they glow different colors depending on the light selected. Inside, passengers can enjoy the added room afforded by the offset greenhouse and the views offered by the panoramic glass roof.

Genesis GV80 Fuel Cell SUV Concept

Hyundai makes SUVs, but until now, its luxury brand hasn't ventured beyond sedans and coupes. The Genesis GV80 Fuel Cell SUV Concept is the first look at the brand's take on an SUV, mixing a muscular, sporty body with a forward-looking interior. A plug-in hydrogen fuel cell system provides the power, while a 22-inch curved OLED infinity display keeps the driver and passengers abreast of remaining range and other information. The interior is otherwise covered in semi-aniline leather and ash wood, with metal used sparingly on the trim and knurled physical controls. Outside, there's the signature Genesis crest grille with a lower line that extends the length of the body, 23-inch mesh alloy wheels that help to cool the oversized brakes, laser fiber-optic tail lamps, and an eye-catching Ice Granite finish.

Toyota FT-4X Concept

Penned by the company's Calty Design Research in California, the Toyota FT-4X Concept is meant to accommodate the modern urban explorer. Its small footprint lets it easily maneuver around city streets and parking spaces. The rear Multi-Hatch can open horizontally or vertically, depending on the direction of the rotating handle, letting you access your gear no matter the space available. Tie-down hooks abound on the bumpers, roof, and spacious cargo bay, and color-coded storage areas make it clear what each is for, with heated and cooled boxes in the rear. It's still a concept, of course, so you also get some features not likely to ever reach production, like a compact The North Face sleeping bag that doubles as an armrest, and a GoPro HERO5 Session camera built into the driver's side rearview mirror to record your adventures.

Consumer Concept Vehicle

Designer Joey Ruiter is adept at reimagining common modes of transportation — the Snoped and Tinnie 10 are proof. The Consumer Concept Vehicle is his latest, taking on the conventional car. As with his prior work, it sports an angular design finished primarily in black. The front "grille" is a two-way mirror, with an air intake on its edges and ultra-bright LEDs behind it that shine 54,000 lumens onto the road ahead. The slab-like cabin all but hides the wheels, giving the appearance of floating, and the rear portion is clad in versatile, outdoor-friendly Xorel fabric, while the front is made from metal and flips forward for access to the engine. Measuring just 135 inches long, it's surprisingly well-suited to urban environs, but like most of Ruiter's other work is unlikely to hit the market anytime soon.

Toyota Hilux Tonka Concept

Big, off-road trucks are already in many ways toys for adults. The Toyota Hilux Tonka Concept takes this idea literally. Inspired by the Tonka trucks of our youth, it's decked out in a branded black-and-yellow livery, with a 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel engine under the hood. An increased ride height offers extra ground clearance, and the heavy-duty suspension handles harsh terrain with aplomb. It also has off-road LED lighting, a tubular frame in the bed to hold gear like fuel cans, a fire extinguisher, an ax, and a shovel, and 35-inch tires.

Jeep Easter Safari Concepts

2017 marks the 51st year off-roaders will gather for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Once again, Jeep and Mopar have created some unique vehicles to commemorate the occasion. These Jeep Easter Safari Concepts celebrate the brand's history of rugged performance with modified versions of the Wrangler, Compass, and Grand Cherokee. For the latter, the Grand One is a modern take on the 1993 ZJ. The Compass gets a lift, 18-inch wheels, and custom seats to become the Trailpass, and the Wrangler is represented multiple times, including in the hot rod-inspired, Hemi-powered Quicksand and the family-focused Safari with its transparent roof panel, doors made from aluminum and clear vinyl, and LED lighting.

Mercedes-AMG GT Concept

Joining the SLS AMG and AMG GT in being designed entirely at AMG's Affalterbach HQ, the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept extends this tradition of performance to a four-door coupe. As is typical of concepts, it features several future-looking technologies, including a racing-inspired body with active radiator shutters, "nano active fiber" daytime running lights, and a performance hybrid system that marries a handcrafted AMG 4.0L biturbo V8 with a powerful electric motor. Sadly, it shares something else with most concepts: it's anyone's guess as to when or if we'll see a version ready for the road.

Spark SRT05E Formula E Race Car

The first look at the latest concept from Spark for the FIA's Formula E racing series is nothing short of revolutionary. The Spark SRT05E Formula E Race Car is the company's latest challenge that is slated to be on the track for Formula E's fifth season in 2018. The new model will travel twice the distance of the current electric car which needs to be swapped out only halfway through a race. This much more powerful model features a more aerodynamic design, better efficiency in the drivetrain, and larger battery pack designed to keep it going for the entirety of a race. Spark has taken the past four years of Formula E experience to develop this concept, and we can't wait to see how it performs on the track in 2018.

Rain Prisk Off-Road Car Concepts

No category of cars is consistently as eye-catching as supercars. These Rain Prisk Off-Road Car Concepts take the world's raciest autos and adapt them for off-track use. Expertly rendered and placed in rugged environs, they include offerings from such renowned brands as Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche, modified for their surroundings with raised suspensions, various bars and racks, and all-terrain wheels and tires that look as if they were lifted from a rock climbing Jeep.

Koenigsegg Motorcycle Concept

Swedish manufacturer Koenigsegg doesn't build anything but four-wheeled, two-doored supercars. This Koenigsegg Motorcycle Concept shows what a two-wheeled take might look like. Moscow-based designer Maxim Burov imagines the bike as a sleek affair, with wrap-around bodywork that hides the gas tank, engine, and the majority of the rest of the bike's components. The single seat is as short and stout as the bike itself, which lacks a windshield, and, for now, a working prototype.

Alfa Romeo C18 Concept

This isn't the kind of concept car you see at the big auto shows. The Alfa Romeo C18 Concept is purely conceptual, as it doesn't exist at all. Yet. Designed by Antonio Paglia, it's based on the Alfa 8C, and has a swooping body with a "windscreen" that merges with the hood and is covered in a honeycomb pattern. It's unclear whether that would be replaced by traditional glass in a rear-world version, but what is clear is that the car's clean lines, contrasting surfaces, and LED lighting would all look great on the open road.

Jeep Shortcut

Inspired by the classic CJ-5, the Jeep Shortcut is a one-off Wrangler-based ode to the off-roaders of the '50s and '60s. It starts with a shortened body that also gets a new grille, hood, tailgate, wheel flares, and chrome bumpers. The modifications continue with a new exhaust, red wheels, and new performance suspension parts. It's finished with a simple interior, outfitted with two leather bucket seats with plaid inserts, a four-point safety cage, and a red ball shifter handle for the five-speed automatic that's hooked to the 3.6L V6 under the hood.

Nissan Vmotion 2.0

Named for the signature front end design of many current Nissan vehicles, the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 is a look at the company's motoring future. A true blue-sky concept, it has a host of forward-thinking features, such as a front emblem and rear diffuser that glow to indicate when it's in autonomous mode and a huge horizontal display that serves as both control and gauge. The "floating roof" is made from wrap-around rear glass, Bose UltraNearfield Speakers provide 360-degree sound, and doors that swing outward in both front and rear provide easy access to the spacious, luxurious Zebra Wood-clad interior.

Audi Q8 Concept

All concepts give us a glimpse of the future. With the Audi Q8 Concept, it happens to be the near future. It's powered by a plug-in hybrid system that marries a 3.0L petrol engine to an electric motor for a total output of 443 hp and a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds. The exterior is sporty for a full-size SUV, with a lack of window frames, touch-sensor doors, and blue laser Matrix headlights. A head-up display uses augmented reality to place information and alerts in the proper real-life places, keeping your view on the road. The rest of the interior is dominated by screens, like the 12.3-inch display that replaces the traditional gauges and the multiple touchscreens that stand in for media, climate, and lighting controls. The all-wheel-drive production model is expected to launch next year.

Jaguar I-Pace Concept

Billed as a five-seat sports car, a performance car, and an SUV all rolled into one, the Jaguar I-Pace Concept serves as a preview of an upcoming model set to arrive in 2018. Its all-electric platform was designed and engineered in-house, with front and rear motors providing nearly 400 hp and a 0-60 time of roughly four seconds. The battery pack sits below the cabin, opening up plenty of extra passenger room, and can hit an 80 percent charge in just 90 minutes while providing a range of over 300 miles fully juiced. The interior is similarly advanced, with a pair of touchscreens giving you an at-a-glance look at key information, and, of course, it still offers the ride and handling you'd expect from the legendary British brand.