Car concepts and new production model designs are getting weirder and wilder. Both old established manufacturers and emerging brands are vying for our attention, much like social media. Digital modeling tools and advanced production techniques are creating vehicles (for better or worse) that were unimaginable just a decade ago.
Here's what came across the transom in 2022.
Volkswagen's GEN.TRAVEL concept car, modular interior.
Hyundai's Ioniq 6 EV features a new "Electrified Streamliner" design language.
Genesis EV Speedium concept.
Citroën has virtually broken the design mold with the Oli EV concept.
Lincoln reveals new electrical design direction...
…and unveiled this wild self-driving EV concept.
Mini's Aceman EV Concept is also shaking the fence.
Polestar's new O2 concept features a drone that can be deployed while driving.
Volkswagen unveiled the drone-laden ID.4 with a landing pad on top.
Even some non-automotive companies have entered the concept game. Seymourpowell, an industrial design consultancy, has unveiled the concept of lean auto design.
Robotics startup Astrolab has unveiled the FLEX Rover, a vehicle with no predecessor design.
Apple supplier Foxconn has unveiled two new EVs, including a pickup truck.
This is a strange one. Pininfarina has designed an iPhone case inspired by the famous Ferrari Modulo concept car.
Beyond concept cars, there are a number of eye-catching new production (or low-volume) models coming this year.
Rolls-Royce showed us design sketches and build shots of their latest Boat Tail model.
In My Ami Cargo, Citroën answered the following questions:
Startup Electric Brands' XBUS is a promising modular EV (featuring one terrible design decision).
The Adventure 1 recreational off-road EV from Canadian startup Potential Motors is just five feet wide.
Chinese off-road vehicle luxury brand Dongfeng has unveiled its crazy-looking debut model.
U Power's EV "skateboard" platform brings a fresh (and not necessarily good) wave of automotive design.
This brutal if viable flying car by Xpeng has a giant deploying rotor slapped on top.
Finally, these only have two wheels, but I had to include them to make them look nice.
Amazing Custom Aluminum Upholstered BMW Motorcycle by FabMan Creations.
This beautiful stainless steel electric scooter by Bandit9.
This deconstructivist electric scooter and bike like Horwin's Akira.
Assuming that vehicle designs are somewhat reflective of the times we live in, I think this roundup gets weirder every year.