The year end is here, and it’s time to reflect upon our favorite concept cars of 2014.
This year saw several insane concept cars, especially those that were a result of the Vision Gran Turismo project. We got to see some of these in the flesh, while other are reserved for driving in the popular racing video game. Other concepts from 2014 featured high-tech powertrains, low-emission output and out of this world styling.
10. Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner:
We’ll start this list off with some love for the truck fans out there. The Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner showed up at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show, sporting a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel from Cummins under the hood and sent all kinds of small-pickup fanatics (including our very own Stephen Elmer) into a frenzy. Sure, we know that Cummins and Nissan are working to deliver a big diesel engine for the upcoming Titan, but if the Japanese automaker wants to make an even bigger splash in the truck market, a diesel mid-size truck would be the way to do it. The Frontier Diesel Runner Concept shows that the company is thinking about it.
We saw this compact sports car concept back at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, and are still waiting to hear more about a production version. The Kia GT4 Stinger Concept is sharp looking, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends 315-hp to the rear wheels. Weighing in at just 2,800 lbs. the GT4 Stinger would be a fantastic rival in the world of compact sports cars.
This 2+2 concept car popped up at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, and stole quite a few hearts with its stunning design. The Alfieri Concept’s design was inspired by classic Maserati models, with the interior heavily influenced by the Maserati 5000 GT. Under the hood, the Italian automaker stuck a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 engine with 460 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. We can’t wait to see this curvy, sexy Maserati hit the roads and we’d bet that very little would change in terms of exterior styling between this concept and the production version.
7. Volkswagen GTI Roadster Concept Gran Turismo
The Volkswagen GTI Roadster Concept Gran Turismo is not only an extremely long name for a concept car, but one that you can drive right now, assuming you have a copy of Gran Turismo 6. But it’s more than just a virtual concept, we got the chance to see this thing in the flesh at the LA Auto Show, and it’s outrageous design is even more jaw-dropping in person. Thanks to its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that puts out 503 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque this concept car can hit 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Don’t believe it? Fire up GT6 and see for yourself!
Even though 2014 was the year that the Viper Racing team was discontinued, the automaker still rolled out this sexy concept at the 2014 SEMA Show. The Viper American Club Racer concept was stripped out like a genuine race-car, featuring no radio, carpet or sound deadening. It also sports a ton of carbon fiber to keep weight down to a minimum. Oh yeah and there’s still that awesome 8.4-liter V10 engine under the hood, making 645 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque.
5.Lamborghini Asterion Concept
McLaren has the P1, Ferrari has the LaFerrari and Porsche has the 918. But for the past year we’ve been wondering “What about Lamborghini?” Well the Italian brand took the wraps off its next generation hypercar at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, and it was nothing short of impressive. It’s a plug-in hybrid, with three electric motors and a 5.2-liter V10 engine that send an unbelievable 910 hp to all four wheels. Not only that, but this big bull gets 56 MPG. Capable of going 30 miles on electic power alone, this concept can also hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. While Lamborghini says the Asterion uses parts that are currently available to the brand, it hasn’t yet decided if the plug-in hypercar will hit production.
4. Chevrolet Chaparral 2X Concept
Concept cars are supposed to be out of this world and that’s exactly what the Chevrolet Chaparral 2X. A borderling space-ship, this race-car concept debuted at the 2014 LA Auto Show. It’s powered by an imaginary laser propulsion system that pulses beams of light that create shock waves to generate thrust. It hits 60 mph in an unimaginable 1.5-seconds. Chevy deserves kudos, not just for having the imagination to show this concept, but for delivering it into Gran Turismo 6, where gamers can see what the race-car of the future is like to drive.
The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge is a strange car on this list. At first glance its just a hopped up luxury sport-sedan, essentially Infiniti’s answer to the BMW M3’s and Mercedes AMGs out there. But for some reason we couldn’t stop ourselves from getting excited about it every time it popped up in the news. Likely it was the the Eau Rouge’s GT-R insides that got us so giddy. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 at work in this Q50 makes 560 hp and just over 442 lb-ft of torque, allowing this car to hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds.
Another car we just can’t get enough of is the Honda Civic Type R Concept. Here are the facts: it looks awesome. It has a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes just about 280 hp. It’s gunning for the fastest FWD Nurburgring time. It won’t come to North America.
All of those things make us want to learn more about this hot-hatch. We’re all crossing our fingers that the production version of the car makes its mark, and eventually finds its way to North America.
One of the first concept cars we saw in 2014 is also one of the best. The Toyota FT-1 Concept started the 2014 Detroit Auto Show off with a serious bang and we’ve been in love with it ever since. This front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car reminds us so much of the Supra it hurts. The styling is defined as setting the pace for the Toyota brand. It’s exterior evokes the brands once proud sporting heritage, full of cars like the Celica, Supra, MR2 and of course the modern Scion FR-S. Toyota’s was once known for brilliant sports cars, but has been typecasted as an automaker for the mainstream. The reveal of the FT-1 signaled that a change may be on the way and we can’t wait to see what’s next.