egmCarTech’s Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

December 31, 2010October 29, 2011 Omar Rana Audi quattro, Audi quattro concept, BMW Concept Gran Coupe, BMW Gran Coupe, Bugatti Galibier, Cadillac XTS, Concepts, Jaguar C-X75, Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, Lotus City Car, Lotus Elan, Lotus Elise, Lotus Elite, Lotus Esprit, Lotus Eterne, Mazda Shinari, Nissan Ellure, Nissan Ellure Concept, Porsche 918 Spyder

As we say goodbye to 2010, we’re looking back at the most important parts of the automotive industry during the year. We’ve already taken a look at the Top 10 Automotive Industry Moments of 2010 and now we’re going to take a look at the Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010.

What allows a concept car to deserve recognition on our Top 10 list? Well, for one they had to be revealed in 2010 – second they have to have major significance to the automaker’s future. Whether or not they’ll be produced is up to the buzz they generate at auto shows or if the automaker can make a viable business case to put them into production.

Of course, the coolness factor of the concept helps a great deal – and no… the Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept did not make our list.

Let’s take a look…

1. Porsche 918 Spyder:

The Porsche 918 Spyder, revealed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, is one of the most important concepts in the automaker’s history. Whether or not it will be built is still up in the air but the rumormill has been speculating of a production model. So far, we hear that Porsche has plans to build a limited-series production of the 918 Spyder with prices starting over $600,000 a piece; not to mention Porsche plans on revealing “something spectacular at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show next month. Power for the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept comes from a 3.4L mid-mounted V8 making 500-hp. The engine is mated to two electric-motors sitting on the front and rear axle with an additional output of 218-hp. Power is driven to the wheels by Porsche”s 7-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe PDK transmission, allowing the 918 Spyder Concept to go from 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. Drivers are allowed to choose from four different driving modes including E-Drive, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid and Race Hybrid. The E-Drive mode lets the 918 Spyder concept run on pure electricity with a range of 16 miles. Click here for more news on the Porsche 918 Spyder.

2. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento:

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show in October 2010, Lamborghini unveiled the Sesto Elemento Concept. At first the model was believed to be the much-anticipated successor to the Murcielago – however, that was quickly denied by Lamborghini. Instead, Lamborghini says that the Sesto Elemento “shows how the future of the super sports car can look.” President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini said that the concept shows the company’s ability “in carbon-fiber technology that have facilitated such a forward-thinking concept.” Weighing in at just 2,202 pounds, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is powered by a V10 engine making 570-hp. That allows it to have a power-to-weight ratio of only 1.75 kilograms per hp and a 0-62 mph time of just 2.5 seconds. It has been rumored recently that Lamborghini will built a limited 10 units for track use only. Click here for more news on the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento.

3. Jaguar C-X75:

Also unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Jaguar C-X75 was another important concept unveiled in 2010. The model made its North American debut at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Will Jaguar produce it? Not yet. According to Jaguar, the C-X75 provides a look into the future of Jaguar’s design philosophy and “producing beautiful, fast cars powered by sustainable means.” Power for the Jaguar C-X75 comes from four 195-hp electric motors – one for each wheel – producing a total of 780-hp and a peak torque of 1,180 lb ft. On battery power alone, the C-X75 has a range of 68 miles. After power from the lithium-ion batteries runs out, the C-X75 uses two gas micro-turbines that produce a total of 188-hp and extend the range to 560 miles. Mated to a single-speed transmission, the Jaguar C-X75 goes from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. It was recently reported that Jaguar bosses are in favor of producing the C-X75 but are looking for a business case and resources to develop the car. Click here for more news on the Jaguar C-X75.

4. Mazda Shinari:

The Mazda Shinari Concept is a four-door-coupe study that shows the future design direction for the brand. Mazda said that it will use the word ‘Kodo’ (Japanese for soul of motion) to describe the new design language, which was created through a collaboration between Mazda”s styling studios in Germany, the United States and Japan. Will it be produced? No word on that yet, but the next-generation Mazda6 will get heavy Shinari design cues. Click here for more news on the Mazda Shinari.

5. Lotus Elite, Esprit, Elan, Elise, Eterne, City Car:

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus showed up with six concept cars – all which hint at the brand’s new direction to move upmarket and compete with the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini and other supercar brands. Will they all be produced? Apparently. Lotus’ CEO Dany Bahar says that the investment to produce the concept cars and move the company in a new direction has been confirmed. It was later reported that out of the six concept cars, the Lotus Esprit is the only concept that is in development and should arrive on the market in 2013. Check out the following links for more info on each concept. Lotus Esprit, Lotus Elite, Lotus Elise, Lotus Elan, Lotus Eterne, Lotus City Car.

6. Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept:

Volkswagen Group owned Bugatti currently produces only one model – the Veyron. While we’ve seen many special-edition versions of the Veyron, there is only one model that Bugatti can be proud of and heck, they should be – it’s an orgy of technical innovations and is the fastest car in the world. But what does Bugatti have in store for the future? Apparently, the supercar maker is working on a sedan and the 16C Galibier Concept hints at what that future four-door model could look like. The Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept is inspired by the Type 57, and is known as the “most exclusive, elegant, and powerful four door automobile in the world.” Power comes from an 8.0L 16-cylinder engine that features two-stage supercharging and can pump out more than 800-hp. Reports suggest that the 16C Galibier will go into production in 2013. Click here for more news on the Bugatti 16C Galibier.

7. Cadillac XTS:

The Cadillac XTS kicked off the 2010 year for concept cars at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. At first the model became known as Caddy’s answer to the large luxury sedans such as the BMW 7-Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8 and the Lexus LS. Is it going into production? Of course it is – however, sources say that General Motors’ CEO Ed Whitacre has authorized the brand to create an even bigger, rear-wheel-drive flagship. Meaning the XTS is not a competitor to the large luxury sedan segment. While the Cadillac XTS will go into production in 2012, the larger, RWD large luxury sedan model will appear sometime in 2014. Power on the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept comes from a 3.6L V6 direct-injected gasoline engine mated to a plug-in hybrid system. Working together, the system provides a total output of 350-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Click here for more news on the Cadillac XTS.

8. Audi quattro concept:

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Audi surprised the automotive world with the Audi quattro concept, a study which celebrates the 30 years of quattro – but is that all? Not really. Recent reports suggest that plans to put the quattro concept into production are fairly advanced, however, we’re not sure when we’ll see it on the roads. The Audi quattro concept is powered by a turbocharged 5-cylinder engine making 408-hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, the new quattro concept runs from 0-62 mp in 3.9 seconds. The Audi quattro concept uses the same underpinnings of the Audi RS5 but sits on a wheelbase that measures 5.91 inches shorter. Weight comes in at 2,866.01 lbs, which is roughly 440.92 lbs lighter than the Audi TT RS. Click here for more news on that Audi quattro concept.

9. BMW Concept Gran Coupe:

The BMW Concept Gran Coupe made its debut at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show and quickly became known as BMW’s answer to the Audi A7 and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Shortly after its debut, reports came out stating that the Gran Coupe will enter production in 2012 and will be built on the same platform that underpins the 5-Series, 7-Series and the 5-Series Gran Turismo. We would be really surprised if BMW decided not to produce the Gran Coupe so keep your fingers crossed. Click here for more news on the BMW Concept Gran Coupe.

10. Nissan Ellure:

Re-imagine the sedan – that is what Nissan says about its Ellure concept, which made its debut at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Power for the Nissan Ellure Concept comes from a supercharged 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control and a 25W electric-motor mated to a Xtronic CVT transmission. It features front-wheel-drive, regenerative braking, independent suspension, a drive-by-wire electric/hydraulic steering and many more fuel-saving technologies that make it a green sedan with a lot of style. Will it enter production? No word from Nissan yet.

* Note: List is in no particular order.

– By: Omar Rana