As kids, we were fascinated by cars with futuristic, spaceship-like designs, believing they were the height of technology and imagining they could do anything, even fly. These bold, attention-grabbing designs made us feel special or inspired us to stand out.
However, as we matured, practicality took precedence, and car manufacturers shifted toward more sensible, less noticeable designs.
Yet, every so often, a manufacturer breaks the mold, releasing a daring and exciting design that stirs that childhood sense of wonder again. These 10 space-age car designs are the ones we’d love to see more often on the roads.
1. 1974 Lamborghini Countach LP400
The Lamborghini Countach has been an automotive icon for 50 years, known for its bold, low-slung, wedge-shaped design. With only 151 units produced, it became the ultimate symbol of performance and style.
Inside, the Countach was equally striking, featuring fixed-back bucket seats and a sharply angular dashboard, giving the interior a futuristic, almost otherworldly feel.
Under the hood, the Countach housed a 3.9-liter V12 engine producing 370 horsepower. The LP400 model, in particular, left a lasting impression with its raw performance and minimalist approach, before later versions incorporated larger engines and more complex design elements like wings and intakes.
Despite the evolution, the original LP400 remains a timeless design icon, continuing to represent the peak of automotive innovation.
2. 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a standout in automotive history, largely due to its iconic stainless steel bodywork and striking appearance. Although it was powered by a 2.85-liter V6 engine producing only 130 horsepower and suffered from questionable build quality, the car’s design was undeniably ahead of its time.
With around 9,000 units produced, it quickly became one of the most recognizable vehicles of its era, admired for its futuristic look.
While the driving experience might not have felt like space-age travel, the DeLorean’s unique style and futuristic appeal earned it a dedicated fanbase, turning it into a cult classic.
Without its bold, unforgettable design, it might have been another forgotten project, but its association with time travel, thanks to its role in Back to the Future, ensured the DMC-12’s place in automotive and pop culture history.
3. 1989 Autech Zagato Stelvio AZ1
The Autech Zagato Stelvio AZ1 is an extremely rare, space-age design, with only 104 units ever produced. Powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, it’s a striking example of Italian automotive design, built by the renowned Zagato.
While many of their designs for classic brands like Lancia and Aston Martin are iconic, the Stelvio AZ1 stands out as the most futuristic and otherworldly, combining cutting-edge technology with an unmistakable aesthetic.
From its stepped bonnet to the flat wheel covers and distinctive rear spoiler, the AZ1’s design is undeniably space-inspired. Everything about the car screams “spaceship,” showcasing a style that feels far ahead of its time, making it a true rarity in the automotive world.
The Stelvio AZ1 remains one of the most visually unique vehicles ever created, with a look that’s clearly not meant for this planet.
4. 1990 Toyota Sera
The Toyota Sera, launched in the early 1990s, defied expectations for compact cars by featuring bold, spaceship-inspired styling with butterfly doors and a glass canopy. Powered by a small 1.5-liter inline-four engine producing just 104 horsepower, the Sera was far from a typical economy car.
Despite its modest power, the design made it stand out as a unique and futuristic option for everyday driving, and nearly 16,000 units found homes in Japan during its production run.
This unconventional vehicle proved that spaceship-like aesthetics could work in compact cars, challenging the norm for practical vehicles.
While sports cars and supercars are often the ones to break the mold with daring designs, the Sera showed that even economical cars could adopt a striking and innovative look, making it one of the most distinctive cars of its time.
5. 1996 Vector M12
Lamborghini has long been the gold standard in supercar design, but smaller manufacturers like Vector have occasionally offered serious competition with equally outlandish designs. The Vector M12, produced in the mid-’90s, is a prime example of this.
Powered by a 5.7-liter V12 engine that produces 492 horsepower, the M12 combines aggressive styling with raw performance, featuring unique elements like gullwing doors, split-rim alloy wheels, and pop-up headlights. With only 17 units ever produced, including three pre-production models, the M12 remains a rare and exciting supercar.
Every angle of the Vector M12 is designed to evoke excitement, with sharp grilles, swooping spoilers, and an overall sense of untamed power.
While Lamborghini’s models have long been the epitome of boldness and luxury, the M12’s unconventional approach to supercar design allows it to stand out as an iconic piece of automotive history, particularly among those who appreciate the thrill of vehicles that push the limits of both style and performance.
Also Read: 10 Best AWD Sports Cars for Maximum Grip and Speed in Any Condition
6. 2014 BMW i8
The BMW i8, introduced in 2014, broke BMW’s traditional design mold with its futuristic styling, featuring a low-slung profile, aggressive lines, and vibrant colors. The car’s unique look made it stand out in any crowd, but its powertrain was just as innovative.
Powered by a 1.5-liter inline-three hybrid engine that produced 369 horsepower, the i8 brought hybrid technology to the sports car world, which was unheard of at the time, as hybrids were typically reserved for smaller city cars.
Despite its unconventional design and powertrain, the i8 was a success for BMW, with over 20,000 units sold.
The car’s bold styling and futuristic hybrid engine helped redefine the sports car segment, making the i8 not only a technical achievement but also a symbol of innovation. Its ability to blend cutting-edge technology with striking aesthetics made it one of the most memorable sports cars of its era.
7. 2015 Volkswagen XL1
The Volkswagen XL1 is an innovative, highly efficient vehicle that prioritizes economy over performance. Equipped with a 0.8-liter two-cylinder diesel engine and a small electric motor, it generates just 69 horsepower.
With only 250 units produced, the XL1 stands out for its futuristic design, featuring a sleek, aerodynamic shape, rear wheel covers, and gullwing doors, giving it a spaceship-like look. The focus here is less on power and more on creating an ultra-efficient car.
Thanks to its lightweight construction and streamlined design, the XL1 achieves an impressive 260 miles per gallon. To put it in perspective, it would take just 919 gallons of diesel to reach the moon, or 348 fill-ups, although the tank only holds 2.65 gallons.
The XL1 is a striking example of how advanced design and engineering can be combined to produce a vehicle that excels in fuel efficiency without compromising on bold, space-age styling.
8. 2022 Lucid Air
Electric vehicles are increasingly adopting spaceship-like designs, with manufacturers focusing on aerodynamics to improve range and efficiency.
The Lucid Air is a prime example of this trend, featuring smooth, sleek lines and an ultra-aerodynamic silhouette that gives it a futuristic look. The car’s design is both efficient and visually striking, making it a standout in the EV market.
The Lucid Air is available with single, dual, or tri-motor configurations, with the top-tier Sapphire model delivering an impressive 1,234 horsepower.
This powerful performance is more than enough for everyday driving, and it’s hard not to imagine that it could handle space exploration as well. With its combination of cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and incredible performance, the Lucid Air represents the future of electric vehicles.
9. 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan stands out for its futuristic design, built with a focus on aerodynamics to ensure maximum efficiency. The sedan features a sleek exterior that glides through the air with ease, embodying a spaceship-inspired look.
Unlike the EQS SUV, which lacks some of that space-age appeal, the sedan maintains a streamlined and visually striking aesthetic.
Inside, the EQS continues the theme of advanced technology, with a large dash-mounted touchscreen, dynamic ambient lighting, and an array of gadgets that give it a high-tech, cutting-edge feel.
With powertrains available in single or dual-motor configurations, the EQS produces up to 751 horsepower, offering impressive performance to match its innovative design and features. The combination of style, power, and technology makes the EQS a standout electric vehicle.
10. 2023 Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck has been one of the most controversial vehicle releases in recent years, with its design dividing opinions since its debut. Elon Musk and his team aimed to completely rethink the pickup truck, creating a model unlike any other.
The Cybertruck’s body is made of bare stainless steel, a rare and bold choice that recalls the iconic DeLorean. Its angular, sharp-edged design has no curves, making it stand out as a truly unconventional vehicle in the truck market.
Available with a single, dual, or tri-motor electric powertrain, the Cybertruck delivers up to 845 horsepower, ensuring powerful performance to match its distinctive look.
Its futuristic, angular styling and durable stainless steel bodywork give it a spaceship-like presence, making it a standout in both the automotive and technology worlds. While its design continues to spark debate, the Cybertruck remains a unique and innovative vehicle that challenges traditional truck aesthetics and functionality.
In an era where practicality often takes precedence in car design, some manufacturers still manage to push the boundaries and rekindle the sense of wonder that futuristic vehicles once sparked in us.
Cars like the Lamborghini Countach and the Tesla Cybertruck continue to defy expectations with their bold, space-inspired designs.
Whether it’s the sleek, aerodynamic lines of the Lucid Air or the striking, angular look of the Cybertruck, these cars remind us of a time when automotive design was about more than just getting from point A to point B—it was about creating something extraordinary and forward-thinking.
As the automotive industry evolves, designers continue to take risks and experiment with new forms and technologies. While practicality will always be essential, there’s something special about the vehicles that break away from conventional norms, embracing innovation and challenging the limits of what’s possible.
These 10 space-age cars showcase the potential for bold design, offering us a taste of what the future of transportation could look like and inspiring us to imagine a world where cars are as much about aesthetics and technology as they are about performance.
Also Read: 10 Best Budget-Friendly EVs You Can Buy Right Now With Impressive Range and Features
