Pamperme

What is the science, economics and overall reason why concept cars are toned down. For example, what so wrong with this (I know its missing vents):


That it has to be converted to this:

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

several reasons, here's a few:

• concept may have non-functioning 'ideas'.
• for another, if it could be produced, it might cost WAY more than the needed target.
• some things look cool but aren't practical.
• concepts are intended to provoke a reaction and thus tend to be on the extreme end. just like few people in real life ever dress like runway models.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

For the interior I imagine cost of both higher quality material and harder to manufacture designed parts. The exterior is usually hampered by not being able to meet many safety and government regulations

Sulu

Concept cars (unless you work for Honda, which is known to produce thinly-disguised production models as concepts) are often cost-no-object "what-if" vehicles, with little thought given to regulations, real-world ergonomics and produceability.

Their swoopy, futuristic styling may not have been designed to meet current collision and crash regulations. These include designing for airbags and crumple zones to survive moderate- and small-overlap crash tests, and also designing for pedestrian safety (such as the extra cushioning space now required between the engine block and the hood).

Their interior styling with touch-screens galore may look good but may not be suitable from a human factors standpoint: touchscreens may require too much hands-on, eyes-on time away from the steering wheel and away from the road ahead of you.

The concept cars you see are often hand-built with production methods that could not or at least would not translate cost-effectively to mass-production. One reason why production models seem more slab-sided than concepts is because the swoopy fenders and door skins are very difficult to re-produce with current, mass-production stamping technology.

And the technology presented in concept cars may not yet be available for day-to-day use and abuse. The cost of the technology may still be too expensive. The technology may not yet be proven to be reliable and durable enough to be used in a family vehicle where it will be poked and prodded, and expected to start up every time, regardless of the temperature or humidity conditions.