Awesome Concepts

Developed by the Hyundai N performance division, this pure-electric, rear-wheel drive sports car kicks out an insane 810 horsepower and 708 lb-ft. of torque, and can zoom from 0 to 124 mph in just 9.88 seconds. The motorsport-inspired Veloster N on steroids was designed as a testbed for N’s future vehicle technology.

Vancouver, BC firm BLA Design took home First Prize in the 2019 Bee Breeders Microhome Competition for their nifty sustainable housing concept. Using vacant urban lots, they propose that the land be used for low-cost, tiny homes, each packing in zones for resting, bathing, cooking, living, dining, and farming.

Israel-based Metro Skyways is showing off the design for a flying urban vehicle. The CityHawk would take off and land vertically like a helicopter, but uses drone-like fan blades, specially engineered to limit noise. It’s designed to hold up to six occupants, and could be used as a taxi, emergency medical transport, or a flying limo.

Architect Mohamed Radwan took home a 2020 DNA Paris Design Award for his concept for a new kind of cubicle. Each of his hexagonal pods would have an airtight acrylic door and skylight, along with its own ventilation and air filtration system, reducing the likelihood of spreading germs within an office, while improving privacy.

LEGO builder Iyan Ha created this detailed model of an ancient Roman warship. Other than the fabric sails and capes, dyed ropes, and custom stickers, every part is an off-the shelf LEGO brick. We love the colorful shields along the sides of the ship, and the armor on the minifigs. Show your support for the design on LEGO Ideas.

Digital musical instrument maker Roland introduces us to Jong Chan Kim, who came up with a hypermodern design for a grand piano. Since digital pianos don’t depend on acoustic properties, he was able to come up with this futuristic low-poly design. The Facet has powerful speakers built into its base, and a flat screen for sheet music.

Volvo spin-off Polestar shows off its vision for the near future, with a pure EV with clean, minimal styling. Its interior is made with sustainable and recycled materials, dramatically reducing the use of plastics. Its Android-powered UI is designed for clarity and ease of use, and it’s packed with the latest in safety tech.

Automaker Audi’s battery electric hatchback envisions a day when drivers spend less time driving, and the car does more of the work. Thanks to its Level-4 autonomy features, its steering wheel and pedals can retract when not needed, providing space to relax or work despite its compact size.

Alienware turned up at CES 2020 with a prototype gaming system that’s basically a Nintendo Switch, but with all of the capability of a Windows 10 gaming PC. The portable device can run all of your favorite PC games on its 8″ screen, and has detachable controllers. There’s no word on specs or if it will go into production yet.

Designed by LEGO fan GabKremo, this maximum security prison model is made from 3,000 bricks. It’s got tons of details, including a barbed wire-fenced prison yard, individual minifig jail cells, a transport bus, a gym, kitchen, cafeteria, infirmary, and a weapons armory. Show your support for the design on LEGO Ideas.

When it comes to sports cars, MORE is always a possibility, so Hyundai’s N performance division took their awesome little hot hatch known as the Veloster N and moved the engine and drivetrain behind the seats, and gave it 390hp, and tricked it out for the track. Can you imagine if they decided to produce this thing?

We spent a week in Tokyo, Japan learning all about Toyota’s plans for the future, as it expands its horizons from conventional cars, to providing mobility solutions for all. The future includes ultra-compact battery-electric vehicles, self-driving cars, and even cars that can adapt to your mood.

It may only be a video game fantasy, but Jaguar’s futuristic race car for Gran Turismo Sport looks incredible. The sleek, wide, and low racer takes inspiration from classics like the C-Type and D-Type, but is a modern powerhouse with over 1000 hp being generated by three electric motors, and a virtual 0-to-60 time under 2 seconds.

Lexus looks ahead to 2030. This luxury electric coupe concept is powered by four in-wheel motors, and packs autonomous and driver-assistance technologies. Its windows are dimmable, and it has an interactive ceiling display that floats above rear seat passengers. With an estimated 536 hp, it can zoom to 62 mph in 3.8 sec.

Industrial designer Chia-Wei shows off a slick prototype for a mini-cruiser skateboard that can be collapsed down into a circular shape when not in use. It uses a series of hinged braces that unfold into a familiar oval skateboard shape with enough strength to be ridden on.

What might the iPhone have been like had it followed in the footsteps of Apple’s 1980s industrial design? Future Punk envisions just that – along with a colorful 1990s take as well. Funny thing is, Apple did design a concept phone in the 1980s.

BMW is teasing the future of sports cars with a pewter and orange coupe with butterfly (aka billionaire) doors. The carbon fiber-bodied 2-seater packs a 600hp hybrid drivetrain and can hit 60 mph in less than 3.0s. Its minimal interior has a razor sharp focus on the driver designed to reduce distractions.

Genesis’ Mint is an electric car made for the city. Despite its compact size, it offers a spacious and luxurious interior for two people. Its storage area is accessed via unique scissor doors, and inside it has has a central touchscreen console mounted on its steering wheel.

Volkswagen turned its Atlas family SUV into a trail-ready camping vehicle. The Atlas Basecamp Concept has a custom body, lift kit, custom wheels, all-terrain tires, roof rack with bike mounts, and LED light bars. It also comes with a HIVE EX trailer that has a queen size bed.

Every year automakers turn up at car shows with over-the-top concept vehicles, riding on oversized wheels, floating seats, and scads of futuristic technology. But why do car companies spend millions on cars they may never produce? Business Insider explains.

Jeep and Mopar’s concept vehicles for the 2019 Easter Jeep Safari include the tent-equipped Gladiator Wayout, the 1980’s Gladiator Rubicon JT Scrambler, and the badass supercharged 700hp Gladiator M-715 Five-Quarter resto-mod.

Andrew Ferrier’s Cable Cradle is a concept for a power outlet faceplate that helps with cable management. The disk-shaped faceplate lets you wrap cords or cables around it. It also has a rib at the top that can be used as a phone stand.

Designer Xundi Li’s concept for a record player is a beautiful work of modern industrial design. It combines a turntable, speaker, and amplifier, with an off-center drive mechanism which lets the record protrude from its cabinet. We hope it goes into production.