- Between Past and Future: Design Legacy and Bold Innovation
- Future Visions: Hydrogen, Electricity, and Sustainability
- Innovation in Space and Customization
- Performance and Sporting Identity
- Iconic Returns with a New Spirit
- Honoring the Pioneers: Paul Bracq’s Enduring Legacy
Experimental cars, also known as prototype or test vehicles, serve as creative platforms where designers and engineers showcase their vision for the future of the automotive industry. At the 2025 Munich Design Event, historic and contemporary models gathered to demonstrate how past experiences and current innovations influence the future of cars—technically, aesthetically, and emotionally.
Between Past and Future: Design Legacy and Bold Innovation
Among the standout vehicles was the 1972 BMW E25 Turbo, designed by Paul Bracq. This car featured gull-wing doors and sharp, bold lines, heralding a new design language for BMW. It was not just a visual showcase but included safety innovations such as anti-lock brakes and crumple zones, inspiring later models like the M1 and 8 Series.
The 1988 Lancia ECV2 represented the pinnacle of rally innovation, featuring a lightweight carbon fiber and Kevlar chassis and a 600-horsepower "Triflux" engine. Although it never competed due to the cancellation of Group B, its design influence lasted for decades.
Future Visions: Hydrogen, Electricity, and Sustainability
Among the vehicles embodying sustainability and clean technologies was the Hyundai Initium, a futuristic sedan concept powered by hydrogen fuel cells. It featured dynamic, aerodynamic lines, digital front lighting, and a panoramic glass roof enhancing spaciousness. The interior used sustainable materials inspired by Korean philosophy, exemplifying "conscious luxury."
The Genesis X Gran Convertible offered a luxurious electric convertible focusing on passenger comfort and open-air driving experience, with colors inspired by fine Cabernet grapes and an interior blending simplicity with sustainable materials.
Innovation in Space and Customization
A notable trend in modern experimental cars is flexible interior spaces and customization. The Kia EV2, for example, is designed for urban lifestyles with a reconfigurable cabin and extensive use of eco-friendly materials like plant fibers and biodegradable composites.
Volkswagen’s Every1 concept presented a bold, compact electric vehicle with spacious interiors, sustainable materials, and a simplified digital dashboard, targeting young consumers seeking style and practicality.
Detroit startup Slate introduced a revolutionary modular electric vehicle that can transform from a pickup truck to an SUV by swapping exterior panels, focusing on simplicity and cost reduction to offer a new car at the price of a used one.
Performance and Sporting Identity
Sports cars were also prominent, with the hybrid Corvette E-Ray combining aggressive design and advanced hybrid powertrain, and the Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo delivering a futuristic driving experience inspired by video games, featuring front-entry seating and a fully digital interior.
Pagani Utopia exemplified ultimate Italian luxury with a twin-turbo V12 engine and a design that blends handcrafted artistry with advanced technology, offering a rare "analog" driving experience in the digital age.
Iconic Returns with a New Spirit
A surprising highlight was the return of the European Yugo brand with a modern model inspired by classic design, planning to offer both internal combustion and electric versions aimed at consumers seeking economical and practical cars with a contemporary spirit.
Honoring the Pioneers: Paul Bracq’s Enduring Legacy
The event featured a special exhibition honoring legendary designer Paul Bracq, who left his mark on Mercedes-Benz and BMW designs in the 1960s and 1970s. His works, such as the Mercedes SL "Pagoda" and BMW E21 3 Series, remain references in elegant and innovative automotive design.
Experimental cars confirm that the future of automobiles is not just a technical evolution but also a creative journey combining beauty, functionality, and sustainable innovation. From bold past designs to sustainable future visions, these models remain living labs for ideas that may soon become realities on our roads. Each experimental car tells a new story of human passion for freedom, renewal, and redefining mobility.
