It had a quirky name. It featured butterfly doors. It boasted layers of aerodynamic efficiency that could rival the complexity of a Sara Lee cake. And it housed a three-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors—all in a BMW!
When BMW revealed the original Vision EfficientDynamics concept, it left audiences astonished. Yet, the general sentiment was: “Sure, it’s incredible, but it’ll never actually look like that.” Even BMW hinted that the car merely “previewed styling ideas.”
Fast forward a few years, and it turns out that preview was no mere teaser—it was practically a blueprint. The new BMW i8 has arrived, and the only thing that’s significantly changed from the 2009 concept is its quirky name.
Granted, a few minor details have evolved, but for the most part, this futuristic marvel looks like what Top Gear’s Paul Horrell described as “an escaped concept car.” In other words, it’s excellent.
Rarely do manufacturers promise a futuristic vision and actually deliver it. The BMW i8 now joins the prestigious ranks of Production Cars That Look Nearly Identical to Their Concept Car Previews. Not exactly a snappy title, but the achievement is no less impressive.
So, in celebration of this rare phenomenon, here are some other iconic examples of concept cars that made it to production with their bold designs intact.
Jaguar C-X16
Jaguar offered a tantalizing glimpse of a sub-XK sports car concept in August 2011, officially revealing the C-X16 at that year’s Geneva Motor Show. Two immediate reactions followed: a) it was absolutely stunning, and b) Jaguar needed to build it without delay.
Jaguar F-Type Coupe
And here it is: the Jaguar F-Type Coupe—a testament to Jaguar’s commitment to bringing breathtaking concepts to life.
McLaren P1
McLaren built anticipation for its F1 successor over months of teasing before revealing the final design at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept was jaw-dropping, leaving many to wonder how the production version could possibly match its audaciousness.
McLaren P1 Production Model
Somehow, using engineering wizardry that would make even Darth Vader jealous, McLaren managed to translate all the outrageous technology and radical aerodynamics of the P1 concept into a road-legal car. Then, in a daring move, they handed it over to Top Gear for testing. Cue high-pitched excitement.
Porsche 918 Spyder Concept
At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche skipped the typical drawn-out concept car reveal process. No teasers, no cryptic hints—just a bold announcement and a stunning car that took the automotive world by surprise.
Porsche 918 Spyder
A jaw-dropping surprise, the Porsche 918 Spyder stunned with its advanced engineering. Featuring a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque bodyshell and lightweight materials like aluminum and magnesium, it was a technological marvel. But when the production cars started tearing up the Nürburgring adorned in Martini livery, the spectacle reached another level. Cue more squeals of delight.
Land Rover LRX Concept
The LRX was Land Rover’s bold teaser for what would become the Evoque. Positioned as a cross-coupe, it was the first design study under the leadership of Gerry McGovern, the brand’s new design chief at the time.
The reception? Overwhelmingly positive. The only question was how much of the three-door LRX’s sleek lines would survive into the production model.
Range Rover Evoque
The answer? Almost all of it. The Range Rover Evoque retained the LRX’s stunning design nearly intact, earning Land Rover a well-deserved round of applause.
Nissan GT-R
Back in 2001, Nissan unveiled a blunt-edged, almost Bentley-esque concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. The public reaction? Skepticism that such a bold design could make it to production.
Nissan GT-R Production Model
Fast forward to 2007—after another prototype reveal in 2005—and the skeptics were silenced. While some of the concept’s sharper edges were softened, the GT-R’s production version stayed remarkably faithful to its design roots.
What followed was an automotive legend, a car that cemented its place among the fastest vehicles in the world.
Audi TT Concept
No list of concept-to-production transformations would be complete without the Audi TT. Revealed at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, the TT concept became a design benchmark for Audi, with Peter Schreyer playing a key role in its creation.
Audi TT
When the production model debuted in 1998, it mirrored its concept predecessor almost perfectly. The result? An iconic design that remains celebrated to this day.
Alfa Romeo 4C Concept
Drawing inspiration from the jaw-dropping Alfa 8C, the Alfa Romeo 4C concept debuted at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Its sleek and alluring design captured hearts, but many doubted it would retain its elegance in production form.
Alfa Romeo 4C
Surprisingly, the production 4C stayed true to the concept’s silhouette. However, the lights—a polarizing feature—were a sticking point for some enthusiasts. Thankfully, Alfa later offered the simpler, more refined lamps from the 4C Spider as an option for the Coupe, to much fanfare.
Honda VV
In 1999, at the Detroit Auto Show, Honda showcased the VV hybrid concept, a successor to the 1997 JV-X. It featured a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and battery pack, all wrapped in a lime-green body made of plastic and aluminum—a design that was, to say the least, unique.
Honda Insight
Later that year, Honda launched the first-generation Insight. It looked nearly identical to the VV concept, maintaining its unconventional design. Though it appeared strange by the standards of the day, it delivered exceptional fuel efficiency, solidifying its place in automotive history.
Citroën C-SportLounge
As early as 2005, Citroën hinted at its plans for a premium grand tourer with the C-SportLounge concept. Designed to emulate a cockpit, the driver’s position took inspiration from aerospace technology. The exterior? A sleek, sporty four-door coupe infused with the spirit of a grand tourer.
Citroën DS5
Seven years later, the DS5 emerged as a production car, astonishingly similar to the C-SportLounge in design. Citroën’s ability to translate the concept into reality impressed enthusiasts and critics alike.
BMW Z07 Concept
Paying homage to the classic BMW 507 from the 1950s, the Z07 debuted at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. Designed by Henrik Fisker and overseen by the polarizing Chris Bangle, the Z07 was intended as a styling exercise to showcase BMW’s flair for beauty.
BMW Z8
Two years later, the Z8 was introduced as a near-perfect replica of the Z07 concept. Although its driving dynamics didn’t quite match expectations, its stunning design became an instant classic. If you find one today, hold onto it—it’s a true collector’s gem.
Cadillac Eldorado Concept
In post-war America, Cadillacs symbolized luxury and decadence, and the 1953 El Dorado Golden Anniversary concept was no exception. Featuring a 5.4-liter V8, chrome detailing, and pearlescent paint made with crushed fish scales, the convertible embodied 1950s extravagance.
Cadillac Eldorado
When it transitioned to production, almost nothing was changed. Based on the Series 62, the Eldorado convertible cost nearly double, making it an ultra-rare luxury item with only 532 hand-built units produced. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower counted himself among its fans.
Chevrolet Corvette C1 Concept
The inaugural Corvette, previewed by its concept version, was a revolutionary move for General Motors. With its sleek lines and fiberglass body, it promised a new era of American sports cars.
Chevrolet Corvette C1
The first-generation Corvette went into production almost unchanged from its concept roots. Despite its modest performance—featuring a 3.9-liter straight-six engine and two-speed automatic transmission—it marked the beginning of an enduring legacy.