Car manufacturers love to talk about innovation. We hear of the groundbreaking new technology featured on every other car model. The problem is, genuine innovation is scarce and it can be years ahead of its time. We mean, of course, the cars which were the prophets that nobody listened to.

These were the innovative cars of the automotive world that gave the world a whole lot of What’s that? or But why?. Still, there is almost no modern car which doesn’t have a piece of the spirit of one of these marvels inside it. These are the trailblazing cars which paved the way for all the rest. So, without further delay, let us take a moment to appreciate the truly out of their time cars of the automobile industry.

1. Honda Insight

The Honda Insight landed on our roads at an unusual time, with the average driver taking very little regard to the level of fuel economy the car was able to achieve. Honda produced a car that completely broke the convention, and had made its only priority to achieve the maximum possible fuel efficiency possible. With the car having been designed from the ground up in every component in order to lose weight and increase the fuel efficiency of the car it stands as one of the most advanced cars to date, and showed what can be done in terms of fuel efficiency, without being rendered impractical.

Key Innovations:

• Lightweight vehicle construction
• Advanced hybrid powertrain
• Aerodynamic body design
• Exceptional fuel economy
• Efficiency focused engineering

However, the sheer light weight of the Insight was one of its greatest attributes. It was less than a ton, where many of the cars competing against it seemed to require very large engines and heavy metals to get them going. These low values translated into the smallest of power requirements, without comprising use ability for the average driver. Honda Engineers thought of every way they could to save fuel to make a car which seemed to come from the future.

The cars aerodynamic shape not only helped it slip through the air, but helped its efficiency levels significantly, combined with the 1.0L three cylinder engine and electric motor gave incredible mpg readings for this time. Several years down the line hybrid cars have started to filter into many manufacturers’ ranges, and have many aspects of the original Insight’s design.

2. Buick Riviera CRT

When it came to the interior of the Riviera CRT, Buick did something almost unbelievable at the end of the 1980s; it had a touch screen interior. Most cars of the time had hundreds of switches and buttons, but the Riviera offered a new means of operation that almost felt like the interior of a concept car from the distant future.

Notable Features:

• Early touchscreen interface
• Digital vehicle controls
• Futuristic dashboard design
• Interactive information display
• Innovative user experience

The system Buick developed, the Graphical Control Center, quickly became one of the car’s best remembered innovations. From one display, a driver could access a variety of car functions and data. At a time when digital was still quite rare in car interiors, it was revolutionary for a dashboard to feature such an advanced touch screen interface. The Riviera’s touch screen offered a glimpse into what car interiors could someday be, even though modern screens are much larger and more functional. The technology was a full decade or two ahead of its time, and today’s automotive industry features touch screens on nearly every vehicle, making Buick’s gamble a resounding success, at least retrospectively.

3. Citroen SM

The Citroen SM clearly highlighted what the company was all about: weird engineering and crazy ideas. Here, technology, design and performance were put together in a car, which, from almost any perspective, was unlike any other car around, the vehicle demonstrating how prepared Citroen were to ignore standard design practice and chase something which few other companies dared to.

Advanced Technologies:

• Adaptive suspension system
• Hydro pneumatic shock technology
• Lightweight wheel design
• Enhanced ride comfort
• Improved vehicle handling

Perhaps one of the most admired qualities of the SM was its highly advanced suspension. This technology was hydro-pneumatic, meaning it automatically adjusted to the weight and the road surface. This enabled a very comfortable ride to become one of the key attributes of the car.

The light weight wheel technology also greatly enhanced the cars handling and its efficiency. Such features as this made the car very ahead of its time. It never was very successful at the market however, many of the features have been carried over for other designs in terms of ride and vehicle dynamics, and suspension design.

4. Chrysler Airflow

Designers in the 1930s primarily thought about form follows function. However Chrysler began to look at styling also with the Airflow’s smooth, rounded shape to cut through the air. This body was revolutionary in design and illustrated the concern for aerodynamics way before the bulk of the automotive industry.

Forward Thinking Design:

• Streamlined body shape
• Improved aerodynamic efficiency
• Reduced air resistance
• Innovative engineering concepts
• Future focused styling approach

The curved and streamlined shape of the Airflow represented a sharp departure from the many cars that resembled a “brick on wheels” on the highway. Chrysler invested in research to understand and incorporate airflow knowledge into their production vehicles, and produced a vehicle that didn’t much resemble any other automobile being produced at that time.

 Buyers found the look of this car somewhat repulsive, and sales did not meet expectations. In retrospect, however, the importance of the Airflow is now undeniable. With increasing attention being given to fuel economy, many other automotive producers later implemented many of the same aerodynamic concepts that Chrysler developed.

5. Tucker 48

The Tucker 48 gained attention primarily for its focus on safety. In a time period where safety was not widely considered in automobile design, the Tucker 48 implemented a few concepts to safeguard drivers and passengers. The designer of the vehicle had envisioned future vehicles being heavily focused on the design of innovative safety features.

Safety Innovations:

• Advanced disc brakes
• Pop out windshield design
• Centermounted turning headlight
• Passenger focused engineering
• Enhanced accident protection

Among its several advancements were disc brakes, and a shatter proof windshield that would break into two pieces if there was an accident. These two aspects showcased its importance to occupant safety and offered an insightfulness that was unique at the time. The one characteristic most associated with the Tucker 48, was its single central headlamp, which turned in correlation with the wheel to provide a better angle for night cornering. This improved the driving experience at night and offered a preview of things to come in automotive lighting technology, but was limited in numbers.

6. Chrysler Turbine

The Chrysler Turbine was a truly monumental experiment in automotive engineering; it was a turbine rather than a piston engine and thus investigated the future potential of automobiles regarding fuel and transport. It sought to break boundaries that engineers traditionally had established regarding cars.

Experimental Engineering:

• Turbine powered propulsion system
• Alternative fuel capability
• Innovative power generation
• Unique driving experience
• Advanced automotive research

Among the more interesting points of the Turbine project, was the variety of fuel it could take on. The turbine could run on conventional gasoline and many alternatives, which is a great feat to achieve. It has caught interest across many places, due to the ability to have fuel versatility.

Although it had engineering merits, the car still found many production obstacles. They kept manufacturing costs at a high level and couldn’t justify a commercial venture. Even so, the Turbine has yielded interesting knowledge of different propulsion systems and is known as one of many memorable experiments in the auto industry.

7. BMW i3

When the BMW i3 came onto the scene, electric cars were in their infancy. BMW didn’t just want to create another EV, they want to rebuild the automobile and sustainability from the ground up to create a model made with revolutionary materials and sustainable technology.

Sustainable Innovations:

• Carbon fiber structure
• Electric mobility focus
• Recyclable vehicle materials
• Lightweight construction methods
• Sustainability driven development

One of the defining characteristics of the i3 was its extensive use of carbon fiber. This gave it rigidity but also low weight, so the efficiency benefits of being lightweight did not come at the expense of durability, a feature normally found in performance rather than practical transport. BMW had also focused sustainability of the car throughout its lifetime, with a high proportion of the car’s materials being recycled. The i3 showed that innovative thinking didn’t need to be focused solely on powertrains but could apply to manufacturing, design and resource management.

8. Audi A2

What the Audi A2 demonstrated was how an improvement in efficiency was possible, using clever lightweight engineering without too great a sacrifice in practicality. In all aluminum, it pushed boundaries for automotive manufacturing and brought a new philosophy for vehicle efficiency.

Lightweight Advantages:

• Aluminum body construction
• Reduced overall weight
• Improved fuel efficiency
• Advanced material engineering
• Practical urban mobility

All aluminum construction permitted Audi to build a lightweight vehicle that was more economical, more efficient and still practical on an everyday basis. It was the first time the importance of the weight of the vehicle was considered as equally important as that of the engine when fuel efficiency was the primary aim.

The lightweight car was therefore combined with an economical engine and provided an outstanding performance with regards to fuel economy. Although it would be many years before other manufacturers would adopt lightweight constructions for the sake of efficiency, the Audi A2 had proved this way forward long beforehand.

9. AMC Eagle

The AMC Eagle launched a concept which later developed into one of the world’s most successful types of car. Combining the refinement of a passenger car and the four wheel drive system it provided an ideal car for any driver looking for a blend of luxury and capability.

Segment Creating Features:

• Four wheel drive capability
• Wagon based design concept
• Increased ride height
• Everyday driving comfort
• Adventure ready versatility

The Eagle combined attributes that are normally confined to specific types of vehicles. In essence it gave added traction and capability for off road use but retained the road manners of a comfortable family car. The combination that drivers with families and busy lifestyles were looking for. Modern crossover vehicles employ exactly the same philosophy. The Eagle clearly shows that the consumer was happy with a vehicle that could handle diverse conditions and has left a very tangible mark.

10. Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster has really changed public perceptions about what electric cars are proving that they can be cool, sexy, and actually be really fast. Back when people just thought electric cars were about being efficient the Roadster showed them what electric can do for performance.

Revolutionary Impact:

• High performance electric driving
• Long range battery technology
• Sports car acceleration
• Modern EV perception
• Industry changing influence

In combination with its fantastic acceleration it had a useable driving range making for a package that flew in the face of decades of assumptions regarding electric vehicles. Enthusiasts that showed a total disregard for battery powered transport could not help but notice its incredible speed and, as the popularity grew, its surprising range. 

The Roadster was not only eye opening for electric vehicle aficionados but for the auto industry as a whole. It helped turn the perspective of electric vehicles on its head; they weren’t just an ecoc entric alternative they were just as exhilarating.

11. Ford Taurus

When the Taurus was released in the late 1980s it looked like nothing that Ford, or pretty much any manufacturer, was producing for the family sedan market. At a time when cars and trucks sported harsh, boxy lines, the Taurus boasted a smooth and aerodynamic design that was light years ahead of its time. It became immediately identifiable and easily one of the most recognizable vehicles of the decade; not only did it break the mould of “family sedan design,” it showed producers and consumer groups alike that people were looking for something new.

Design Breakthroughs:

• Aerodynamic exterior styling
• Rounded body contours
• Improved fuel efficiency
• Industry changing design language
• Modern family sedan appeal

The Taurus was not only good to look at though; its smooth, aerodynamic body helped cut down drag which allowed the Taurus to return better gas mileage and give a quieter ride. It showed the American auto public that with a bit of thinking and some engineering expertise that practical family vehicles could still have a good aerodynamic design as well. After seeing the response of the public and industry, it led Ford to consider this in the first place, and then it caught on with the competition, and Ford found itself to be years ahead of all of its competition design wise.

This rapid trend started in very few years and other automobile companies began following its trend of smoother, more aerodynamic lines with family cars. The Taurus was so influential it pretty muchset the standard for family vehicles for years to come and after years passed and the styling didn’t change that much; it started out as a trend that many years later had just become what was now expected.

12. Chevrolet Volt

In addition to this, the Chevrolet Volt arrived and offered solutions to one of the major anxieties regarding electric cars, that of range anxiety. There are indeed a lot of people who are intrigued by the concept of an electric car but fear running out of power during a longer journey. Chevrolet addressed that issue and in doing so developed an interesting plug in hybrid, that merged the electric and gasoline powered engine and so created a very non threatening initial step toward electrification.

Forward Thinking Features:

• Plug in hybrid technology
• Reduced range anxiety
• Dual powertrain flexibility
• Practical daily commuting
• Consumer friendly electric transition

In effect the Volt was enabling consumers to make the advantages of electric mobility readily available, but with the confidence of longer distance capability when required. This combination made the vehicle attractive to a broad range of consumers who were concerned about greater efficiency but were unwilling to change their normal driving habits. Through making electric transport easy and reassuring to use, the car served to introduce a large segment of consumers to electrified mobility.

Aside from its groundbreaking powertrain, the Volt proved itself to be a very practical and affordable vehicle in comparison to many early electric options. The roomy interior, alongside a functional interior layout, proved adequate for most daily use. The car itself stood as a successful step between internal combustion engined and electric only vehicles, making the way clear for wider adoption in years to come.

13. Range Rover

The original Range Rover proved that comfort could coexist with capability, long before luxury SUVs were among the best selling vehicle types in the world. The concept of an off road vehicle having to be crude was introduced in 1970 and successfully changed peoples ideas on utility vehicles. Combining advanced engineering with luxury fittings, it offered a fresh approach to an entirely new class of vehicle.

Key Characteristics:

• Luxury and capability combined
• Full time four wheel drive
• Premium off road performance
• Versatile driving experience
• Segment defining innovation

It’s this blend of incredible off road prowess combined with an unusually smooth ride for a utility vehicle which set the Range Rover apart. Features like full time four wheel drive meant the car would tackle virtually any terrain with ease, while the attention to detail on interior design also ensured that it was usable on a day to day basis and attracted a wider audience.

This combination of capabilities became it’s ultimate advantage. It could face the most extreme driving challenge and still provide a luxury ride once on the tarmac, and it proved to be such a successful formula it inspired a whole class of luxurious off road vehicles which were to dominate in future decades, the original defining a template that is still being followed today.

14. Pontiac Fiero

In a manner it was Pontiac’s bid to provide people with “exotic” car like qualities that had, to then, only been seen in pricey sports cars. One of its biggest selling features and perhaps its most groundbreaking innovation in affordable car design was its mid engine layout. The Fiero had its engine behind the driver which helped give it much better weight distribution.

Innovative Engineering:

• Mid engine vehicle layout
• Improved handling dynamics
• Lightweight body construction
• Sports car efficiency
• Affordable performance concept

The Fiero’s configuration provided the driver with a feel that differed greatly from many other comparable cars available. The engine placement ensured even weight distribution, leading to responsive and sure handling characteristics generally only found in far more expensive cars of the period. Pontiac did an excellent job bringing new technology within the reach of the average person.

It is also worth noting the extensive use of composite body panels. Not only were the body panels surprisingly resilient, they were also effective in shaving overall weight from the vehicle. It was this mix of innovation in construction and excellent fuel efficiency that allowed the Fiero to stand out from others of its kind and contribute to its enduring popularity.

15. Mercedes S-Class

For decades, the Mercedes S-Class has been the proving ground for new car technology. Today’s typical car now boasts features which debuted on the S-Class many years earlier. This generation proves, in particular, how technology can deliver improvements to comfort, safety and convenience, and give us a window on future luxury cars.

Technology Leadership:

• Advanced infotainment systems
• Adaptive cruise control
• Collision mitigation technology
• Premium driving experience
• Industry leading innovation

The car’s technological achievements were also impressive, in particular its adoption of more intelligent safety features. A sophisticated adaptive cruise control system and the inclusion of forward collision warning/prevention were big advancements that would have given drivers the confidence and comfort to drive further and be more alert.

More than a luxury car, the S-Class looked to the future and provided technology in advance of its time. Its influence spread far beyond the executive segment; so much of what was presented in the model would later find its way into the entire spectrum of vehicles, giving it its reputation as a technological trailblazer that was setting the benchmark for every other car maker to follow.