[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/five-coolest-concept-cars\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/five-coolest-concept-cars\/","headline":"Five of 2017\u2019s coolest concept cars","name":"Five of 2017\u2019s coolest concept cars","description":"The future is here, sort of. Technology in new cars progressed by many leaps and bounds, like a rabbit with massive springs attached to all four paws. Self-driving cars edged closer to reality, but car manufacturers exercised every inch of their imagination to deliver some otherworldly concept cars in 2017. Here are five of our favourites\u2026 Audi Aicon What\u2019s the point of a steering wheel in a car that can drive itself? Not much, exactly. The steering wheel has been […]","datePublished":"2017-12-21","dateModified":"2017-12-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/best-concepts-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/best-concepts-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/five-coolest-concept-cars\/","about":["BLOG"],"wordCount":515,"keywords":["Audi Aicon","bmw.z4","concept cars","Mazda Vision Coupe","Mercedes AMG GT concept","Nissan Leaf Nismo"],"articleBody":"The future is here, sort of. Technology in new cars progressed by many leaps and bounds, like a rabbit with massive springs attached to all four paws.Self-driving cars edged closer to reality, but car manufacturers exercised every inch of their imagination to deliver some otherworldly concept cars in 2017.Here are five of our favourites\u2026Audi AiconWhat\u2019s the point of a steering wheel in a car that can drive itself? Not much, exactly. The steering wheel has been an omnipresent feature in every automobile ever, but Audi demonstrated how it could finally be consigned to history with the Aicon concept.Similarly, the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals are erased to \u201coffer all the comforts of modern communications electronics and perfect ergonomics\u201d, Audi says.This futuristic philosophy is reflected in its design, with super slick curves, piercing three-dimensional headlights and reflective silver finish.Audi\u2019s big idea is represented by the concept\u2019s physical size too; it stretches for almost 5.5 metres and sits on gaping 26-inch wheels.Read more on the Aicon here.BMW Concept Z4The Z4 is a lovely roadster but since going on sale in 2009, the current gen model has been outmoded by cars like the Mazda MX-5. So it was with great delight to finally see the Concept Z4 in August.It has a shorter bonnet than the second-gen Z4, as well as vertically stacked headlamps, a stretched nose, slimline rear lamps and metallic rollover bars.One of the guys behind its design said the next Z4 – due to emerge at some point in 2018 – will be \u201can all-out driving machine\u201d. Bring it on!Read more on the Concept Z4 here. Mazda Vision CoupeWhen concepts are devised, the designers usually have to think \u2018where would the engine go?\u2019. Not so with the Mazda Vision Coupe, which was imagined purely from an aesthetic angle; if it looks cool, then it stays.Concept cars are typically thrown together in less than 12 months. However, Mazda\u2019s design boss Ikuo Maeda spent two years working on this sleek two-door, making ten sculptures and scale models in that time before presenting his Vision Coupe to the world.Read more on the Mazda Vision Coupe here. Mercedes-AMG GT Concept2017 marked the 50th birthday of the Mercedes-AMG division, so what better way to celebrate than showcasing an 804bhp petrol-electric hybrid that can clear 62mph in under 3.5 seconds?The chairman of Mercedes-AMG promised it would deliver \u201cimpressive driving dynamics, high efficiency, [and] an innovative drive system\u201d when a production version arrived in 2019. Yes please.Read more on the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept here. Nissan Leaf NismoThe Nissan Leaf may be a fantastic, mould-breaking electric vehicle, and while it may be deceptively nippy, it ain\u2019t no racer. Up step the Leaf Nismo.It seemed inevitable that Nissan would eventually let its performance division have its wicked way with the Leaf and the potential results were sure to be amazing.Whether it\u2019ll make production remains to be seen but considering how heavily based it is on the regular Leaf, it seems likely.Read more on the Leaf Nismo. 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