We asked our readers earlier this week to name the worst concept cars ever showcased by an automaker. Readers submitted various answers ranging from the Tesla Cybertruck and its smashed windows to a defense of the very concept of a concept car. However, most comments highlighted the most hideous wheeled machines produced by a manufacturer. Without further ado, here they are:
A version of this article originally appeared on Jalopnik.
As you already picked the winner up top I’ll go with the the Pontiac Rageous. I liked the idea of a practical high peformance shooting brake like any good Jalop would but the execution was just garish as hell. It was a cool idea with a what the hell execution.
Submitted by: CitronC
“All these SUVs are diluting the Porsche brand!”
Let me introduce you to the 1994 Porsche C88.
Submitted by: TRath
I always thought the Audi Rosemeyer concept car of around 2000 was a seriously confused idea. Retro? Futuristic? Steampunk? Bauhaus? Cartoon?
Submitted by: ReluctantFloridaMan
Ooooh, the Ford SYNus is... not good. The name is bad enough but the vehicle itself is just awful. It’s small-ish- Think gen 2 Scion XB size crossed with a Hummer H2 mixed with an armored car. That said it still looks better than every truck on the market today.
Submitted by: Buckfiddiousagain
The Mazda Furai, for being so stunningly beautiful and brilliant and yet never resulting in anything real before disappearing into the oblivion of history by turning into ashes. My heart still bleeds for it…
Submitted by: GTO62
Sbarro Autobau.
I just. . . there aren’t words.
Submitted by: Garland - Last Top Comment on Splinter
You duckduckgo “ugly concept cars” and wow, you’ll get a ton of hits. Lots of what the eff were they thinking? hits.
But then there’s the Assystem City Car (2007).
A car that looks like Donald Duck’s head and it begins with “ass”...pure, unadulterated marketing genius.
Submitted by: the1969DodgeChargerFan
VW Colani - It looks like at any moment a bunch of worms are gonna pop out of it and eat your face.
Submitted by: dustynnguyendood
As cool as the idea is, the Ford Nucleon might take the cake. Putting a nuclear reactor on a car with 50s safety standards and drivers might be the single most insane car idea in history. Granted, we got some cool designs for Fallout from it, at least.
Submitted by: Ben Grimm
Buick Signia. It just looks like it is saying “Please let me die”.
Submitted by: klone121
Wow, just wow. That’s like some joke idea that got past the people that were supposed to be paying attention.
Submitted by: ReluctantFloridaMan
Just about any modern Cadillac concept, but not because the concepts themselves are bad. It doesn’t matter which one, but let’s just say the Sixteen if you want to be specific. They all look gorgeous and preview a future where Cadillac could become “The Standard Of The World” again.
But then those concepts just don’t become a reality and Cadillac instead continues selling Escalades. Or, Cadillac does find the cojones to take a chance on something, and we end up with something like the ELR. The Blackwings show that Cadillac is capable of greatness, which makes this even more frustrating.
I suppose there is an argument to be made that those concepts probably wouldn’t make money as real cars, but then that makes me wonder about why Cadillac even bothers teasing us a future that’ll never happen?
Anyway, I’ll be in my bunk viewing Cadillac concepts.
Submitted by: Mercedes Streeter
