Top five concept cars of 2020

When a new concept breaks cover, it’s like Christmas coming early here at carsales editorial HQ. Well, in non-pandemic times…

Everyone gathers around the biggest LCD monitor, arguments break out and someone declares the design is a blatant rip-off of a previous model and it usually ends in tears.

Innovative features and radical powertrains are discussed, along with whether and how faithfully the concept will morph into a production vehicle.

But it’s been a lean year for the concept car, because the traditional stages for all things conceptual in the automotive world – motor shows – have been crushed under the merciless heel of COVID-19. But here are our five faves, with the best saved until last.

1. Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept

When Jeep whipped the covers off its gargantuan seven-seat, super-luxury go-anywhere 4x4 this year, we were surprised to see the ‘concept’ name attached. Because this is pretty much what you’ll see in 2021 – and it may even come to Australia.

But forget its off-road ability, its luxury features and its ability to crush compact cars under its oversized, blinged-out wheels. The coolest thing about this SUV is its LCD screen real estate. With no less than seven digital screens for a combined 80 inches of viewing pleasure, there won’t be many eyes on the road. But we hope each and every one of the screens make it into the production car.

Check out the Wagoneer concept

2. Ford Performance Mach-E 1400 prototype

What’s got seven electric motors, looks like a chubbed-up Mustang and does better burnouts than a nitrous-fed Mazda RX-3? The Ford Mach-E 1400 of course!

With 1400hp or 1044kW of power on tap, the slammed EV and its pumped wheel-arches, crazy aerodynamic body work and tree-hugging hippie underpinnings made us very happy.

Forget the Sony PS5 – this is like a Sony PS5000! With more computing power than a top-secret US military server room buried deep within the Raven Rock Mountain Complex, the Sony Vision S concept car is an EV that drives itself.

Built to showcase Sony’s expanding range of advanced sensors designed for cars, it’s also equipped with the best LCD screens and audio system you’ll ever find. Will it be built? Probably not, but it’s a brave move that gazumps Apple’s and Dyson’s plans to build a car.

Check out the Sony Vision S concept

Unlike the Sasquatch legend – aka Bigfoot – that’s never been officially sighted, the Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch is about as conspicuous as a giant pus-filled pimple on one’s forehead.

The hard-core two-door Ford Bronco looks epic in its orange-on-black get-up, step-over half doors, rock-crushing beadlock wheels, all-terrain 35-inch tyres and part-time roof.

We’d love to see it reach production, complete with 3D-printed titanium tow mounts and grab handles, a front winch and beefed-up lighting, In fact, we’d love it if the regular Bronco reached Australia! Sadly neither will happen any time soon.

Get more of the Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch

5. Mazda RX Vision GT3 concept

If we met a magic genie and he/she granted us one heavily caveated wish to turn a concept car into reality, in 2020 it’d have to be this mean machine – the Mazda RX Vision GT3 concept.

The striking racer is powered by a front-mounted quad-rotor engine that bangs out a supercar-like 425kW and gives new meaning to the term Wankel.

Festooned with aerodynamic flourishes, vents, air ducts and all the things that make concept cars cool, this is one vehicle we’d love to see make it to production.

Half a decade after the Mazda RX-Vision blew the lid off the 2015 Tokyo motor show, we’re once again teased with the prospect of a born-again rotary sports car from Mazda.

We don’t really care what Mazda calls it – RX-9, RX-10, RX-REXXY-FLEX – we just hope our wish comes true. Bring on 2021!

More about the Mazda RX Vision GT3 concept