Hot! Cars That Were Ahead Of Their Time

[Design FIRST]

Some commercially successful...others not.:

1934 Chrysler Corp. Airflows:

1934 Citröen 11CV Traction Avant:

1937 Cord 810:

1948 Tucker Torpedo:

 

[Design FIRST]

...Continued:

1952 Borgward Hansa 2400:

1955 Citröen ID/DS19:

1967 NSU Ro80:

1969 BMC/Leyland Maxi:

 

[Design FIRST]

Continued:

1965 Renault 16:

1983 C3 Audi 100:

Additions...?

 

[Rolf]

1966 Lamborghini Muira

1954 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing

1961 Jaguar E-Type

1959 Morris Mini

1955 BMW Isetta

1997 Mercedes A-class

1984 Honda Ballade (Aka Civic) Saloon

1950 VW Type 2 Transporter/Kombi

1948 Citroen 2CV

 

[Rolf]

1964 Renault 8 Gordini

1986 Porsche 959

1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400

1963 Ferrari 250 LM

1962 Alfa Romeo 2600 Pininfarina Speciala

 

[Design FIRST]

Continued:

1964 Rover (P6) 2000:

1967 Simca 1100:

1977 Porsche 928:

2013 BMW i8:

 

[J.E]

The Pontiac Aztek had AWD, four airbags as standard and it was surprisingly ahead of its time by being a very versatile crossover. Unfortunately, though, all of its ahead of its time tech, was wrapped underneath the most ridiculous, ugliest package known to history. What a tragedy,

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Ahead of it's time in so many respects the W220 embodied engineering, technology and production innovation, the majority hidden beneath svelte new skin which I would argue heralded a new approach to design surfacing, not just for Mercedes, but industry wide.

 

[Rolf]

Ahead of it's time in so many respects in terms of engineering, technology and production, the majority hidden beneath the new skin which I would argue heralded a new approach to design surfacing not just for Mercedes, but industry wide.

The W220 had a very sleek and elegant design and still looks modern even 25 years after its launch. The car debuted many high tech driving assistance and comfort features used on mostly all cars nowadays, especially Distronic (adaptive cruise control) and Airmatic (air suspension) and some voice activated controls.

 

[Design FIRST]

1976 Rover SD1 3500. A "Sportback" long before Audi patented the term.

 

[Rolf]

1976 Rover SD1 3500. A "Sportback" long before Audi patented the term.

The Rover SD1 3500 V8 was at the time a very attractive car that was far ahead of its time. A friend of mine owned a 1980 3500 V8 A/T and the car was very sleek and extremely practical with the liftback hatch and drop down rear seats providing a level of boot and utility space that could beat much bigger cars. The interior was very stylish with soft plush velour seats and it had some backlit instruments with bright green at night.
It even had rear seat belts, novel for a 1980 car.

Even a recess for storing kids goodies on the rear parcel shelf.

 

[Design FIRST]

From 1962 !

Well, it never went into serial production, but several prototypes of the M-B W118/119 in 2 and 4 door form were built. Much of its tech migrated to the Audi 72 of 1965, during the brief period in which DKW/Audi was a Daimler-Benz AG subsidiary. Maybe it was perceived to be just as "weird" back then as the EQ sedans are today.

 

[Design FIRST]

The Porsche 989. Presented nearly 20 years prior to the launch of the 970 Panamera. And arguably far better looking as well...

Another one of those cars that got sooo close to reaching serial production, but alas...