The automotive industry is constantly evolving, with manufacturers striving to introduce new and innovative features to enhance performance, safety, and comfort. However, not every breakthrough gains immediate traction.
Some innovations are ahead of their time and only become mainstream years later. Many classic cars introduced features that were initially overlooked but are now considered essential. This article explores ten such vehicles that pioneered innovations we take for granted today.
1. 1935 Stout Scarab: The First Mini-Van
In the 1930s, sedans dominated the roads, making the introduction of the 1935 Stout Scarab an anomaly. Designed by aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout, the Scarab featured an aerodynamic aluminum body resembling an airplane fuselage.
Its innovative design allowed for a spacious interior, including a small card table and a flexible seating arrangement. Despite its practical features, the mini-van concept did not gain popularity until decades later. Today, minivans are a staple for family transportation, proving the Scarab was far ahead of its time.
2. 1948 Tucker Torpedo: Pioneering Safety Features
At a time when safety was an afterthought in car design, the 1948 Tucker Torpedo introduced groundbreaking features such as a padded dashboard, a perimeter frame for crash protection, and a shatterproof windshield.
Perhaps its most innovative aspect was the third headlight, which rotated with the steering wheel to improve visibility on turns. Unfortunately, regulatory restrictions and legal troubles led to the company’s downfall, but its safety concepts laid the groundwork for modern vehicle safety standards, influencing designs still used today.
3. 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220: The Birth of the Crumple Zone
Safety innovations continued with the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 220, which introduced the crumple zone—an essential passive safety feature that absorbs crash impact to protect passengers. Engineer Béla Barényi designed the vehicle with three sections: a rigid passenger compartment and crumple zones at the front and rear.
Without crumple zones, crashes would exert extreme force on occupants, leading to more severe injuries. This innovation has since become standard in all modern vehicles, significantly improving accident survival rates.
4. 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire: The First Turbocharged Car
Turbocharged engines are now common in performance and fuel-efficient vehicles, but they were a novelty in the early 1960s. The 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire was the first production car equipped with a turbocharger, using “Turbo Rocket Fluid”—a mix of methanol and distilled water—to enhance performance.
The turbocharged V8 engine offered significant power gains, but reliability concerns led to the discontinuation of this technology until the 1980s, when advancements made turbochargers more practical. Today, turbocharging is widely used to improve both performance and fuel efficiency.
5. 1974 Sebring-Vanguard Inc CitiCar: An Early Electric Vehicle
Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity today, but the concept has been around for decades. The 1974 Sebring-Vanguard Inc CitiCar was a small electric microcar designed for urban commuting.
Though its 40-mile range and top speed of 50 mph were modest, it paved the way for modern electric city cars like the Smart EQ ForTwo.
At the time, it was viewed as an impractical alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles, but today, compact EVs are increasingly common, especially in congested urban areas where short-range travel is sufficient.
Also Read: 10 Cars Still in Production for Decades Despite Expectations of Discontinuation
6. 1979 AMC Eagle: The First Crossover SUV
Today’s automotive market is dominated by crossover SUVs, but this trend began with the 1979 AMC Eagle. Combining the comfort of a passenger car with off-road capabilities, the Eagle was a lifted four-wheel-drive vehicle based on the AMC Concord.
It offered better handling on rough terrain without sacrificing everyday drivability. Though it was initially a niche product, the Eagle’s success influenced the development of modern crossover SUVs, which have become a preferred choice for families and adventure-seekers alike.
7. 1986 Buick Riviera: Introducing the Touchscreen Interface
Touchscreens are now a standard feature in vehicles, controlling everything from navigation to climate settings. However, the 1986 Buick Riviera was the first car to include a touchscreen interface.
Buick introduced the Graphic Control Center (GCC), an interactive digital display allowing drivers to control the AM/FM radio, trip calculations, climate control, and vehicle diagnostics.
Though the system was slow and had a short automatic shut-off, it laid the foundation for modern infotainment systems, which have now become an essential part of car interiors.
8. 1990 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4: Advanced Sports Car Features
The 1990 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 was ahead of its time with features that are now standard in high-performance sports cars. It offered all-wheel drive, a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine, active aerodynamics, and adaptive suspension.
The active aerodynamics adjusted the front and rear spoilers based on speed to optimize handling and stability. With a 0-60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds, the 3000GT VR-4 showcased innovations that inspired modern performance vehicles.
9. 1999 Honda Insight: The First Mainstream Hybrid
Hybrid vehicles are now commonplace, but the 1999 Honda Insight was the first to bring hybrid technology to a broad audience. The Insight featured a lightweight aluminum body and a 67-hp 1.0L three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor.
It also introduced regenerative braking, which recharged the vehicle’s battery while slowing down. With a fuel efficiency of up to 121 MPG, it was a revolutionary step toward reducing fuel consumption.
The Insight’s success influenced other automakers to develop hybrid sedans, trucks, and SUVs, leading to the widespread adoption of hybrid technology.
10. 2009 Honda FCX Clarity: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Innovation
The 2009 Honda FCX Clarity introduced hydrogen fuel cell technology, offering zero emissions and a quick refueling time of just five minutes. With a range of 240 miles, it was a significant leap forward in alternative fuel technology.
Unlike traditional electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles generate their own electricity on board, eliminating long charging times.
However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen cars has been hindered by the limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations. Still, as infrastructure improves, hydrogen-powered vehicles may become a viable solution for sustainable transportation in the future.
Innovative automotive features often struggle for acceptance when first introduced, but many eventually become industry standards.
From safety advancements like crumple zones to performance enhancements like turbocharging and hybrid technology, these groundbreaking vehicles paved the way for modern automotive advancements.
While some features take time to gain traction, history has shown that visionary ideas can shape the future of transportation. These ten cars, once seen as unusual or impractical, ultimately influenced the evolution of the modern automobile, proving that innovation is often just a matter of time before becoming mainstream.
Also Read: 10 Cars With the Most Comfortable Adaptive Suspension Systems