Dive into the top 10 concept cars of 2023

The best concept cars of 2023 may emerge from a designer’s and artist’s perspective, such as Sabine Marcelis’ reimagining of Renault’s 1993 Twingo and Daniel Arsham’s retro-futuristic NEBULA 928 for Porsche. The vehicles that surfaced this year might have also pushed the boundaries of creativity by incorporating exterior and interior features not common among traditional production cars. Take NIO EDEN’s self-driving car, whose system is powered by artificial intelligence. Its doors also slide open, welcoming passengers to a spa-like ambiance.

A foldable steering wheel is what Opel Experimental concept car offered for its fans in 2023. If such a feature is not enough to make viewers ponder the top concept cars of 2023, GAC’s Barchetta can offer its no-roof and no-windshield design on the table as a contender for this year’s surprise-me concept cars. Its sleek and flat appearance conceals the interior, and its vehicle frame needs to open itself up like a treasure box before the driver can step in. For solar power fans, Aptera’s three-wheeled, road-legal spaceship vehicle is dubbed to be able to drive for months without charging, thanks to the planted photovoltaic panels on the surface of the flying car.

Many more best concept cars need to be talked about. As we continue our annual BIG Stories round-up, our list of the TOP 10 concept cars of 2023 brings back some of the imagined and designed vehicles that can give viewers and brands alike a glimpse into the future of modern cars.

SABINE MARCELIS REIMAGINES RENAULT’S ICONIC 1993 TWINGO

Sabine Marceli’s Renault 1993 Twingo in our TOP 10 concept cars of 2023 | image by Renault | read more here

Sabine Marcelis and Renault teamed up to give the electric city car Twingo a stylish makeover, looking at it from a designer’s point of view. Renault asked Sabine Marcelis to rethink the design of the electric minicar Twingo as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Her approach follows the footsteps of other designers who celebrated milestones for Renault cars.

Sabine Marcelis is known for her elegant designs using pure materials and light, and she brought these themes to her interpretation of the Twingo. The white car frame hints at a beautiful interior, and Sabine Marcelis, in an interview with designboom, shared that working on a car was a new and challenging experience for her. She was excited to experiment and take on the task in collaboration with Renault.

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PORSCHE AND DANIEL ARSHAM UNVEIL RETRO-FUTURISTIC NEBULA 928

Porsche and Daniel Arsham’s NEBULA 928 in our TOP 10 concept cars of 2023 | image by Porsche | read more here

Daniel Arsham has teamed up with Porsche once again to create a retro and futuristic concept called ‘NEBULA 928.’ The result comes through as a playful blend of the past and future, taking inspiration from the 1978 928 and adding a touch of early 2000s style. Daniel Arsham’s design keeps the vintage vibe of the original car, letting it complement with the modern shapes defined by Porsche.

The car is coated in a shiny Y2K purple, and the inside matches with cool-purple shades. The interior features a aluminum steering wheel and shift knob, along with custom fabric and purple Ultrasuede and leather. The front and rear bumpers got a makeover too, giving the car a fresh new look while maintaining its retro-futurism, thanks to vehicle designer Khyzyl Saleem.

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OPEL INTRODUCES ELECTRIC CAR WITH FOLDABLE STEERING WHEEL

Opel Experimental car in our TOP 10 concept cars of 2023 | image by Opel | read more here

Opel gives its fans a glimpse of what it has in store for them with the entrance of its new Opel Experimental concept, an electric vehicle unveiled at the IAA Mobility event in Munich 2023. The futuristic electric car boasts special features like an aerodynamic design, a roomy and well-lit interior with lightweight seats, a foldable steering wheel, and a modern display for essential information.

The car concept’s bold design, characterized by a sleek shape and smooth surfaces, reflects Opel’s vision for environmentally friendly personal transportation. As Mark Adams, Vice President of Design of Opel, comments, the concept of the electric vehicle represents an interpretation of Opel’s design philosophy that offers an insider’s intel into the future of their production vehicles.

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NIO EDEN IS A SELF-DRIVING CAR POWERED BY AI

NIO EDEN in our TOP 10 concept cars of 2023 | image by Joonyoung Koo | read more here

During his Master’s thesis at Hochschule Pforzheim University, Joonyoung Koo designed a concept car called Project EDEN, inspired by artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. The car has a futuristic look with a low-level design, a roof that gently bends, and LED lighting on the hood for a stylish and functional touch. Instead of traditional doors, Koo incorporated horizontally moving front and rear fenders, creating a wide entrance to the spacious interior.

Before entering the concept car, the doors slide open in opposite directions. The interior has a spa-like feel, featuring reclined seats in a soft pink color. Koo envisions a rollable globe between the seats, serving as NIO EDEN’s control for switching between driving and a relaxed, parked mode. The design aims to establish a design-and-vehicle relationship between humans, nature, and artificial intelligence, all packed within the NIO brand philosophy.

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GAC BARCHETTA IS ULTRA-FLAT, ROOFLESS AND POWERED BY BATTERIES

GAC Design revealed their electric sports car concept, the GAC Barchetta, which stands out for its minimalist design. The car is unique with no roof and no windshield, giving it a sleek and flat appearance when not in use. The wheels are a prominent feature, with hollowed insides and triangular steel bars on the sides. The GAC Barchetta is part of the GAC Car Culture series from the Milan-based design studio.

The car concept’s design emphasizes efficiency and simplicity, with a flattened chassis housing compact batteries and a body made of lightweight mono-material aluminum. The interior follows the minimalist theme with a compact drive-by-wire steering wheel and seats crafted from recycled plastic materials.

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HYUNDAI RECREATES PONY COUPE BASED ON ORIGINAL 1974 DESIGN

Hyundai Pony Coupe in our best concept cars of 2023 | image by GFG Style & Hyundai Motor Company | read here

After decades on hold, Hyundai Motor Company brought to life the Pony Coupe concept from the original 1974 design that never came true. It was Giorgetto Giugiaro, the original designer, and his son Fabrizio who recreated the vehicle together with Hyundai and did so faithfully based on what should have been a real-life model then. The concept was unveiled at Villa Pliniana in Lake Como, Italy, where the original design was born as an idea.

Staying true to the 1974 design showcased at the Turin Motor Show, the recreated Pony Coupe maintains its wedge-style nose, circular headlamps, and geometric lines. The two-door sports car boasts a sleek roofline, a distinct B-pillar shape, and an interior with the iconic Giugiaro monocoque design. This concept design was also a significant influence on Giugiaro’s work on the DeLorean DMC 12, famously featured in the ‘Back to the Future’ movies.

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CITROËN AMI FOR ALL FOR PERSONS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY

Citroën Ami for All in our best concept cars of 2023 | image by Citroën | read more here

Citroën introduced the Ami for All concept car, an electric vehicle designed for people with reduced lower-limb mobility and wheelchair users, so they can drive on their own. The concept car aligns with Citroën’s unique concepts, including the Ami One, a buggy that 16-year-olds can drive without a license, and the compact subscription-based EV costing only $22 per month. The Ami for All prototype specifically caters to individuals with disabilities, particularly those using wheelchairs.

The redesigned car prioritizes accessibility by improving the door opening angle for broader entry and exit for both drivers and wheelchair users. It incorporates assistive features such as onboard straps facilitating easy transfers from a wheelchair to the driver’s seat. The vehicle also introduces mechanical and manual controls for acceleration and braking, employing a simple push-and-pull lever for brake and gas pedal control. Additionally, a steering wheel knob is included to simplify the driving experience, making this electric car a step forward in inclusive mobility.

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TOYOTA LUNAR CRUISER IS AN ELECTRIC SUV BUILT FOR MOON DRIVING

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s West Coast design studio, unveils the Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser, an electric SUV concept inspired by the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser and the upcoming Lunar Cruiser developed by JAXA and Toyota. The concept vehicle is tailored for moon exploration and features in-wheel electric motors, providing a futuristic touch. To enhance visibility, the concept incorporates a protruding glass canopy, and its advanced technologies include a panoramic dashboard display powered by augmented reality, offering a comprehensive view of the lunar terrain.

The front showcases the iconic TOYOTA script on the grille, accompanied by an array of cameras and sensors to monitor the moon’s surface during exploration. The in-wheel electric motors and dual joysticks for control are added, and the vehicle’s exterior has cameras and sensors to help the driver monitor their environment for safe moon travel and exploration. CALTY Design Research’s 50 years of expertise converge with futuristic design elements in the Toyota Baby Lunar Cruiser, marking a milestone in automotive innovation and space exploration.

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NISSAN ELECTRIC HATCHBACK FEATURES RING LIGHTS AND SCISSOR DOORS

Nissa Concept 20-23 in our best concept cars of 2023 | image by Nissan | read more here

Nissan introduced the Concept 20-23, a compact three-door electric hatchback with streamlined features, including deep skirts for aerodynamics, brake-cooling vents, and a flat-nose design hosting semi-ring headlights. The LED lights under the headlights give the car a cheerful appearance, and the muscular side profile features extended wheel arches with vented louvers for reduced air resistance.

The Concept 20-23 electric hatchback incorporates thoughtful design elements for stability, including a spoiler rising from the roof that doesn’t obstruct the driver’s rear view. The rear lights, consisting of curved LED strips, contribute to aerodynamic control, and a small roof opening ensures fresh air for the occupants. The design team’s vision was to craft an enjoyable and functional electric car for daily commuting, indicating a milestone for Nissan Design Europe.

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SPACESHIP SOLAR CAR ‘APTERA LAUNCH’ CAN DRIVE WITHOUT CHARGING

Aptera Motors envisions the future of electric vehicles with road-legal spaceships. Their solar-powered car Aptera Launch Edition was brought out to testify to their vision, ushering in a spaceship-looking vehicle with a lightweight carbon body. It resembles a futuristic battle wagon designed for both street racing and drifting. Topped with approximately 700 watts of proprietary solar technology, the solar car concept is dubbed to cover up to 40 miles per day solely from the sun.

Aptera aims to revolutionize electric vehicles by offering an alternative to traditional charging infrastructure. The Launch Edition comes with an integrated solar charging package, providing drivers with the freedom to go for weeks or even months without plugging in. The futuristic approach not only embraces clean energy but also eliminates the reliance on gas and oil and can enable the user to drive the spaceship solar car for months without charging.

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