10 Car Concepts Heading to Production Soon
With the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling all auto shows in the past year, automakers didn’t get as many opportunities to showcase new concepts and prototypes. Fortunately for us, a number of cars and trucks were revealed virtually.
Which ones are heading to production in the near future? We’ll highlight 10 of them in the next few pages…
Alfa Romeo Tonale
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a crossover that’s a bit smaller than the Stelvio and available in plug-in hybrid configuration. First introduced as a concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, we anticipated the production model to be revealed this summer, but it will be delayed by at least three months.
Aston Martin Vanquish
The Aston Martin Vanquish is slated to come back for a third generation in 2023. It will be a totally new mid-engine car using an AMG-sourced hybrid V8 powertrain that’s projected to deliver around 700 horsepower. Styling will draw inspiration from this stunning Vanquish Vision Concept that was shown in Geneva two years ago.
Audi A6 e-tron
Auto Shanghai 2021 marked the world premiere of the new Audi A6 e-tron Concept, which signals the launch of a production model in 2022. The A6 e-tron sedan will be based on the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, which will also underpin the upcoming Q6 e-tron SUV as well as other future Audi and Porsche models.
Hyundai Prophecy
At Hyundai, the all-new IONIQ 6 electric sedan will join the IONIQ 5 crossover in 2022. It will be a midsize car with a slightly higher price, though likely using the same powertrain. Can it possibly be as sexy as the Prophecy concept? Maybe not, but hey, you never know.
Infiniti QX60 Monograph
Nissan’s luxury brand revealed the all-new QX60 Monograph last September. This concept foreshadows the next-generation 2022 QX60, which will debut in production form on June 23.
Nissan Z Proto
Nissan will soon replace its desperately old 370Z with a brand new generation inspired by the iconic Datsun 240Z. And the car will be nearly identical to the sensational Z Proto. Expect the new Z to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 like the current Infiniti Q50 and Q60 in Red Sport trim.
Polestar Precept
The young Swedish car brand has decided to make this concept a reality following the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2. The Precept (or Polestar 3?) will be built in China in a new assembly plant aiming to be carbon neutral and “one of the most intelligent and connected automotive production facilities in the world.”
Subaru Solterra
In 2020, Subaru presented an unnamed electric SUV concept. We recently found out it will enter production as the Solterra an go on sale in several markets including Japan, the U.S., Canada, Europe and China by the middle of 2022. It will be built on the same all-new EV platform as Toyota’s own upcoming electric SUV.
Toyota bZ4X
At Auto Shanghai 2021 in April, Toyota celebrated the world premiere of a new electric SUV concept that will become a production model next year. And yes, it will come to North America. Called bZ4X, this concept refers to Toyota’s new bZ sub-brand (which stands for “Beyond Zero” as in zero emissions) and the fact that it’s a crossover with all-wheel drive.
Volkswagen ID. BUZZ
A modern interpretation of the iconic Volkswagen Type 2, the ID.Buzz concept originally debuted at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.The best thing about it is that Volkswagen has plans for production, although sales in North America will not begin in 2022 as initially expected. The ID.Buzz will finally hit our market in 2023 as a 2024 model.