Every Concept Car of 2016

An A-Z guide to 186 concept cars, experimental prototypes, manufacturer show builds and mobility studies from around the world from 2016.

The 2016 show season moved between futuristic autonomous transport and surprisingly traditional high-performance engineering. Detroit, Geneva, Beijing, Paris and Los Angeles introduced new battery-electric platforms, hydrogen proposals, bold luxury coupes and numerous crossover studies. At the same time, small coachbuilders and specialist manufacturers pursued hand-built supercars, while motorsport programs and factory-supported show cars tested what familiar mechanical platforms could become.

This guide covers 186 documented vehicles and design studies introduced or first publicly presented in 2016. Each entry focuses on the available engineering and design details, with announced targets distinguished from verified production specifications. The main sections separate conventional automotive concepts from independent projects, mobility studies, engineering prototypes and customized show builds.

Original passenger-car concepts and design studies

The principal factory-backed passenger-car concepts, design exercises and near-production show vehicles introduced during 2016, alphabetized by manufacturer. Performance claims refer to the prototype or manufacturer's targets rather than later showroom specifications.

2016 Acura Precision Concept

Acura unveiled the Precision at the Detroit show to reset its sedan design language. The long, low four-door fastback used a short rear deck, deeply sculpted sides and an angular nose featuring the new diamond-pentagon grille. Its large wheels and rear-hinged back doors made the proportions more dramatic than a normal executive sedan. Acura emphasized exterior surfaces, a driver-oriented cabin and a digital interface rather than a confirmed production engine or chassis specification. The grille and lighting ideas later influenced several production Acuras, but the Precision itself was not a preview of one mechanically identical model.

2016 Alpine Vision Concept

Alpine revealed the Vision in February as a close preview of the revived A110, ahead of its Geneva appearance. The compact mid-engine, rear-drive coupe paired a lightweight structure with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and dual-clutch transmission. Alpine targeted a 0-100 km/h time below 4.5 seconds without relying on excessive power. The car's four round lamps, curved rear glass and low nose referred to the original A110 rally car, while its central cockpit and short overhangs prioritized balance. Vision was a functional development direction rather than a fully specified homologated production A110; the customer version followed in 2017.

2016 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Concept

The Vanquish Zagato coupe appeared at Villa d'Este as the latest collaboration between Aston Martin and the Italian coachbuilder. Beneath its new carbon-fiber body was a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive Vanquish architecture with a naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12, tuned in the eventual road-car project to around 600 PS. Zagato gave the coupe a double-bubble roof, large circular rear lamps and a low, cutaway front grille. The show car initially demonstrated coachbuilt design and a potential limited run; Aston Martin later confirmed production. Its significance is bespoke body construction on a proven grand-touring platform, not an entirely new Aston Martin chassis.

2016 Audi h-tron quattro Concept

Audi brought the h-tron quattro to Detroit to show how a hydrogen fuel-cell SUV might complement its battery-electric plans. The drivetrain used electric motors at both axles, with roughly 110 kW at the front and 140 kW at the rear, plus a compact battery to provide additional power during acceleration. Audi claimed approximately 600 kilometers of driving range with hydrogen refueling taking around four minutes. The body adopted the broad shoulder and clean aerodynamic surfaces of the related e-tron quattro family. Its motor outputs and range were prototype targets; the concept never reached dealerships as a hydrogen-powered Q-model.

2016 BMW 2002 Hommage Concept

BMW unveiled the 2002 Hommage at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este to mark 50 years since the original 02 Series. Beneath its extreme flared arches and short three-box body was a modern compact performance-car foundation, widely associated with the M2, but BMW did not present the show car as a new production specification. It borrowed the original 2002 turbo's reversed TURBO graphic, shark-nose attitude and small greenhouse. A revised orange-and-black presentation later appeared at Pebble Beach in the same year. The project was a design tribute, not a separate road-going 2002 successor.

2016 BMW i Vision Future Interaction Concept

Shown at CES, this open-top i8-based design study investigated how a driver could manage a heavily automated sports car. Its standout feature was AirTouch, a system that recognized hand movements in the space near a wide panoramic display without requiring a finger to touch the screen. BMW arranged the cockpit around three interaction modes, from active driving to automated travel, and explored projected information in the driver's forward view. The familiar plug-in-hybrid i8 architecture provided a visual starting point, but BMW concentrated on interface engineering rather than announcing a new powertrain. It remained an experimental cockpit demonstrator.

2016 BMW Vision Next 100 Concept

BMW celebrated its centenary with a dramatic autonomous-capable coupe designed around future driver choice. Its flexible outer skin covered the wheels and could deform with steering movement, allowing unusually clean aerodynamics without giving up maneuverability. In Boost mode, the car's information systems supported manual driving; in Ease mode, the steering wheel and dashboard changed to create a lounge-like space. BMW also proposed an intelligent windshield display and an illuminated communication system called Alive Geometry. There was no independently proven powertrain or range figure. The concept was primarily a rolling exploration of interaction, materials and packaging a century ahead.

2016 BMW X2 Concept

BMW's Concept X2 arrived at the Paris Motor Show to preview a lower, sportier crossover positioned beneath the X4. The compact five-door shape retained BMW's kidney grille and pronounced wheel arches but used a flatter roof and noticeably shorter rear glass than the X1. Large air intakes, unusual lighting details and oversized wheels made the show car more aggressive than the later showroom X2. BMW focused on packaging and visual character rather than specifying a unique concept engine. The production X2 eventually shared transverse-engine architecture with BMW's compact models; this original study was not a rear-drive sports coupe.

2016 Borgward BX5 Concept

Revived German marque Borgward introduced the BX5 at Geneva as a compact crossover aimed at extending its return to the market. The show vehicle used a high beltline, slim lamps and the brand's large diamond-pattern grille, with proportions chosen for family utility rather than a dedicated sports-car layout. Borgward also discussed electrified and conventional powertrain directions while building its Chinese manufacturing plans. The subsequent BX5 entered production with more conventional turbocharged engines and crossover running gear. The concept mattered as an early member of the revived company's product range, not because it introduced a verified breakthrough battery or autonomous-drive system.

2016 Borgward BX6 TS Concept

The BX6 TS was unveiled alongside the BX5 at Geneva and took a more conspicuous SUV-coupe approach. A sloping rear roof and raised ride height were paired with broad shoulders, large wheels and a prominent grille. Borgward discussed an electrified performance system for the concept, but the later production BX6 did not simply carry forward every claimed technical feature. At roughly 4.5 meters long, it aimed at buyers looking for sportier crossover styling rather than maximum load volume. The TS designation and show-specific drivetrain should not be mistaken for a standardized worldwide production trim.

2016 Buick Avista Concept

Buick's Avista was one of the Detroit show's major surprises: a rear-wheel-drive 2+2 grand-tourer with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 rated at 400 hp. The concept used an eight-speed automatic transmission and Magnetic Ride Control, giving its mechanical proposal more substance than a pure styling buck. Inside, a flowing dashboard and extensive digital displays put new Buick design ideas around four individual seats. Low overhangs and a wide stance made it a departure from Buick's contemporary sedans and crossovers. The Avista never became a production coupe, although elements of its grille and lighting influenced later models.

2016 Buick Velite Concept

Buick introduced the Velite at the Guangzhou auto show as an electrified design study for the Chinese market. The low, sculpted four-door fastback combined a sleek roof with narrow lighting, a large front emblem and an emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency. Buick outlined a plug-in-hybrid technology direction and connected cockpit features, rather than publishing independently tested performance data for a customer-ready car. The concept also signaled how the Velite name would be applied to electrified vehicles in China. The eventual production family took several body styles and drivetrains, so the show car should not be treated as their exact mechanical blueprint.

2016 Cadillac Escala Concept

Cadillac unveiled the Escala at Pebble Beach as a long luxury fastback that could sit above its CT6 sedan. At more than 5.3 meters long, it combined four doors with an expansive rear hatch and a lower, more elegant roof than a traditional flagship sedan. Cadillac proposed a 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with cylinder deactivation, an important clue to future high-output Cadillac engines. The cabin combined tailored fabric, leather and OLED display technology, while the exterior introduced slimmer vertical lamp signatures. Escala was a running direction-setting study, not a dealer-orderable flagship or a confirmed production platform.

2016 Chevrolet Beat Activ Concept

Chevrolet presented the Beat Activ at India's Auto Expo as a tougher-looking, raised version of its city hatchback. The show car added black lower cladding, a more upright front treatment, roof accents and larger-looking wheel openings to create the image of a miniature crossover. Its underlying transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive packaging remained that of a small urban car; there was no indication of a separate four-wheel-drive chassis. Chevrolet used the study to assess demand for rugged styling at an affordable price. The Beat Activ was distinct from both the conventional Beat hatchback and Chevrolet's separate Essentia sedan concept.

2016 Chevrolet Beat Essentia Concept

The Beat Essentia appeared at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo as a small four-door sedan designed to fit India's important sub-four-meter category. Chevrolet extended the Beat's city-car layout with a short integrated trunk, conventional front-drive engine packaging and a more formal rear profile. The concept was about efficient interior and luggage space within a restrictive overall length, not sports-car performance. Its dashboard and connected infotainment drew on the existing hatchback family, while details were adapted for local tastes. The later Indian-market production plans changed with Chevrolet's withdrawal from domestic sales; this was not a global Chevrolet sedan launch.

2016 Citroen CXperience Concept

Citroen revealed the CXperience before the Paris show as a large, low hatchback exploring a modern successor in spirit to the CX and C6. The four-door silhouette used a long wheelbase, very short overhangs and rear-hinged doors for a spacious lounge-like cabin. Citroen described a plug-in-hybrid powertrain with a proposed combined output of around 300 hp, but the headline innovations were comfort, seat design, filtered lighting and a wide digital dashboard. Thin lamps, rear aerodynamic elements and a broad tail gave the car unusual proportions. CXperience remained a research design; it did not enter production as a new Citroen flagship.

2016 Citroen SpaceTourer Hyphen Concept

The SpaceTourer Hyphen appeared at Geneva as a highly colorful crossover-inspired variant of Citroen's new passenger van. Developed with the French band Hyphen Hyphen, it combined an elevated stance, widened arches, all-terrain tires and an interior trimmed in contrasting fabrics. The engineering proposal included an on-demand four-wheel-drive conversion by specialist Dangel, addressing traction that the standard front-wheel-drive van lacked. Underneath, it was still based on a commercial-vehicle platform, with the concept emphasizing travel flexibility and passenger space. Hyphen was a promotional lifestyle build rather than an autonomous shuttle or an entirely new van generation.

2016 DS E-Tense Concept

DS Automobiles presented the E-Tense at Geneva as a low two-seat electric grand tourer. Two electric motors supplied a quoted 402 hp and 516 Nm, while a lithium-ion battery pack sat within a stiff structure derived from racing experience. DS claimed 0-100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds and a top speed limited to 250 km/h, figures that represented the concept's intended capability. The asymmetrical-looking sculpted body, finely detailed lighting and leather-lined cockpit were as important as the drivetrain. E-Tense established the new DS brand's electric performance ambitions but did not become a production coupe.

2016 Genesis New York Concept

Genesis unveiled the New York at the Manhattan auto show as a hybrid four-door sports sedan emphasizing its emerging Athletic Elegance design language. The concept paired a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined estimate around 245 hp, transmitted through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Long-hood proportions, thin lighting and copper accents created a distinctly premium appearance. Inside, a large curved 21-inch display blended vehicle information with controls rather than scattering screens around the dashboard. The powertrain was a credible concept proposal, but the vehicle did not directly become a showroom Genesis model.

2016 Honda Civic Hatchback Prototype

Honda showed the next-generation five-door Civic in prototype form at Geneva before series production started later that year. The wide body, roof spoiler, center-mounted twin exhaust outlets and aggressive vents emphasized the new hatchback's sportier European positioning. The car previewed the tenth-generation Civic's global compact architecture and turbocharged petrol-engine direction, but Honda had not yet committed every market specification at the show. Its longer, lower footprint improved passenger packaging compared with the previous European Civic. This hatchback prototype was separate from the later Type R and Si previews, which had different suspension, engine and aerodynamic briefs.

2016 Honda Civic Si Prototype

Honda's Civic Si Prototype debuted in Los Angeles as a close preview of the 2017 North American performance version of the tenth-generation Civic. Displayed as a coupe, it added a more assertive aero package, rear wing, center-mounted exhaust and distinctive wheels to the production shell. Honda confirmed a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed manual transmission, with final output and chassis calibration reserved for the production launch. Unlike the Type R, the Si retained front-wheel drive without a radically widened competition-style body. The concept demonstrated a plausible enthusiast model, not a separate all-wheel-drive or high-displacement Civic.

2016 Honda Civic Type R Prototype

Unveiled at Paris, the Civic Type R Prototype showed how Honda planned to turn the tenth-generation Civic hatchback into a track-focused front-driver. It featured widened arches, a large rear wing, aggressive splitter, underbody treatments and triple center exhausts. Twenty-inch wheels and low-profile tires illustrated the grip and braking targets of the coming production car. Honda had not finalized all public engine figures for this specific show vehicle, though a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and manual-transmission formula carried forward. The production Type R arrived in 2017; its later certified figures should not be backdated to the 2016 prototype.

2016 Hyundai Carlino HND-14 Concept

Hyundai's Carlino, also called HND-14, debuted at India's Auto Expo as a boxy compact crossover study. Its squared wheel openings, broad shoulders and unusual rear door treatment gave it more visual toughness than the company's established small hatchbacks. The design explored the rapidly growing market for vehicles below four meters in length, with a cabin tailored toward connected entertainment and urban travel. Hyundai did not announce a definitive engine, transmission or production four-wheel-drive system for the show car. The eventual Venue occupied a related market niche, but Carlino was not mechanically identical to that later production crossover.

2016 Hyundai Creta STC Concept

At the Sao Paulo Motor Show, Hyundai Brazil unveiled the Creta STC as a compact pickup study based on the general design of the Creta crossover. The two-row cab flowed into a short open cargo bed, with a raised stance, large wheels and protective cladding. The work was primarily a packaging exercise aimed at South America's demand for smaller lifestyle pickups, rather than a confirmed four-wheel-drive or heavy-duty hauling specification. Hyundai had not revealed a complete production powertrain or payload rating. The STC did not reach series production, but illustrated how a crossover's styling could translate into a small utility truck.

2016 Hyundai RN30 Concept

Hyundai revealed the RN30 at Paris as a motorsport-inspired interpretation of the forthcoming i30 N performance hatchback. Built with help from BASF and Hyundai Motorsport, the low, wide concept used lightweight composite materials, active aerodynamics and a racing-style interior. Hyundai described a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing around 380 PS and 451 Nm, sending power through a dual-clutch transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. Those specifications belonged to this aggressive technology demonstrator, not the production i30 N, which took a more conventional front-drive approach. RN30 explored how Hyundai's N branding could extend toward much more extreme track machinery.

2016 IED Shiwa Concept

The Istituto Europeo di Design unveiled the Shiwa at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in collaboration with Quattroruote. Developed by students from IED Turin, the four-passenger autonomous concept used origami-inspired exterior surfaces surrounding a diamond-shaped cabin. Measuring 4,700 mm long, 2,000 mm wide and 1,500 mm tall, it featured a 3,660 mm wheelbase that maximized interior space. Its proposed electric drivetrain used four in-wheel motors for all-wheel drive. The cabin featured opposing seats, projected multimedia displays and biometric passenger recognition, including fingerprint-controlled access. Shiwa explored autonomous travel as a shared interior experience rather than a conventional driver-focused automobile.

2016 Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept

Infiniti unveiled the QX Sport Inspiration at the Beijing show as a preview of its next generation of mid-size SUV styling. Sharp headlights, a broad grille, substantial wheel arches and a floating C-pillar created the look later associated with the QX50 family. The cabin emphasized four individual seats and a clean center console, while the car's compact overhangs and wide body showed packaging priorities. A revised exterior presentation appeared later in 2016, but Infiniti did not disclose a final production drivetrain for the concept. The subsequent QX50 introduced major technical changes of its own and should not be confused with this design study.

2016 Jaguar I-Pace Concept

Jaguar's I-Pace concept debuted in Los Angeles with two electric motors producing a combined 400 hp and roughly 700 Nm, driving all four wheels. Its 90-kWh lithium-ion battery was packaged low in a dedicated architecture, freeing space for a short bonnet, a long cabin and a wheelbase of nearly three meters. Jaguar targeted a 0-60 mph time near four seconds and about 220 miles of EPA-cycle range, not independently certified results. Double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension were proposed for Jaguar-like handling. The show car directly anticipated the 2018 production I-Pace, although specifications and details changed before sale.

2016 KamAZ Shuttle Concept

KamAZ introduced its autonomous electric Shuttle project at the 2016 Moscow International Automobile Salon, working with Russian automotive research institute NAMI and technology company Yandex. The approximately 4.6-meter-long vehicle was designed to carry twelve passengers, including six seated occupants. Its proposed maximum speed was limited to 25 km/h, prioritizing controlled urban operation over conventional road performance. Cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors supported autonomous navigation, while four-wheel steering improved maneuverability. Passengers would request trips through a smartphone application, with routes determined by demand rather than fixed bus stops. The Shuttle remained an experimental urban transportation project rather than an established production minibus.

2016 Kia Telluride Concept

Kia presented the Telluride in Detroit as a large premium SUV with a bold upright grille, unusually wide body and rear-hinged rear doors. The concept's proposed plug-in-hybrid drivetrain paired a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor for roughly 400 hp combined, driving all four wheels. Four individual seats, large displays and health-monitoring cabin ideas showed that Kia was using the SUV to test an upscale family-travel concept. Its styling helped establish the identity of the subsequent production Telluride, but the production SUV abandoned this particular hybrid arrangement and used conventional doors and a three-row seating configuration.

2016 Lada XCode Concept

Lada introduced the XCode at the Moscow Motor Show as a compact crossover proposal extending Steve Mattin's X-shaped exterior design language. The high-riding five-door body had deeply stamped flanks, a contrasting roof, short overhangs and a broad grille with the familiar X motif. Lada discussed the possibility of a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and connected vehicle systems, but it did not publish an independently validated finished drivetrain. The car was more about a possible future product direction than a production-ready Renault-Duster-derived specification. XCode was distinct from the XRAY Cross and XRAY Sport studies also shown in Moscow.

2016 Lexus UX Concept

Lexus unveiled the UX at Paris as an angular small-crossover concept created by its European ED2 design studio. A dramatic spindle grille, exposed-looking wheel arches and sharp lighting made it much more adventurous than the subsequent production UX. Inside, experimental 3D display ideas and lightweight seating explored new ways of combining the instrument cluster and infotainment system. Lexus presented the car primarily as a styling and packaging exercise, without committing to a particular final powertrain. The production UX kept the broad compact-crossover concept but used a conventional platform and much simpler interior. The 2016 show car was not a tested high-performance electric SUV.

2016 Lincoln Navigator Concept

Lincoln's Navigator concept debuted in New York with the scale of a full-size luxury SUV and theatrical gullwing doors along both sides. Power-operated stairs unfolded from the sills, turning passenger entry into a deliberate showpiece. Under its imposing body, Lincoln discussed a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 producing about 400 hp, consistent with the later direction of the flagship SUV. An airy three-row interior, pale trim and individual seats were used to demonstrate comfort rather than off-road specialization. The production Navigator that followed borrowed elements of its design but retained conventional side doors, not the large gullwing arrangement.

2016 Lynk & Co 01 Concept

Geely's new Lynk & Co brand introduced the 01 in 2016 to demonstrate a connected compact SUV family built around Volvo-linked Compact Modular Architecture. The show vehicles emphasized a wide front face, divided lighting, upright roof and bold rear graphics, together with software-centered ownership and car-sharing ideas. The underlying CMA engineering would support front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and electrified powertrains across several models, though not every later variant was installed in the original study. The 01 quickly approached production, making this a near-final design proposal as well as a statement about digital services and shared vehicle architecture.

2016 Mahindra XUV Aero Concept

Mahindra unveiled the XUV Aero in Delhi as a three-door SUV-coupe study derived from the XUV500's design and mechanical family. A steeply falling roof, pronounced haunches and rear-hinged access arrangement gave the body a shape rarely seen in India's utility-focused SUV market. The exhibition vehicle emphasized a premium cockpit and connected features while discussing more powerful diesel-engine possibilities, but definitive production specifications were not settled. Unlike a sports coupe, the Aero retained a high seating position and crossover proportions. It never entered series production in this form, making it a notable experiment in unconventional SUV body design.

2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS Concept

Maruti Suzuki showed the Baleno RS concept at India's Auto Expo to introduce a sportier version of its light hatchback. A body kit, more assertive bumper treatment and larger wheels supported a proposed 1.0-liter Boosterjet direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine. This engine was more significant than the appearance changes: it offered a different route to performance from the company's naturally aspirated small-car powertrains. The production Baleno RS eventually reached India with specifications adapted for local emissions and fuel conditions. The 2016 vehicle was a preview of a market-specific hot hatch rather than a motorsport prototype or a separate platform.

2016 Maruti Suzuki Concept Ignis

At the Delhi Auto Expo, Maruti Suzuki presented a locally focused Concept Ignis to gauge demand for a high-roof city crossover. Its near-vertical nose, squared wheel arches, raised seating position and short overall length contrasted with more conventional compact hatchbacks. The global Suzuki Ignis design had already appeared in Japan, so this was an Indian-market concept presentation, not the model's first creation anywhere. Powertrains and equipment were subsequently tailored to local requirements; the show car itself was not evidence of a dedicated off-road transfer case. The production Indian Ignis arrived as a compact front-drive urban vehicle.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Powerful Adventurer

Mercedes-Benz unveiled two distinct X-Class pickup studies in Stockholm. The Powerful Adventurer emphasized off-road ability with a raised stance, chunky wheel-arch protection, large tires and a full-size pickup cargo bed. The company described a ladder-frame chassis, rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive based on its Nissan Navara partnership, rather than a bespoke Mercedes SUV platform. A more rugged cabin treatment and substantial ground clearance were part of the design brief. The 2017 production X-Class adopted more restrained styling; the show car's enlarged track and exaggerated exterior features were never standard equipment.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Stylish Explorer

The companion Stylish Explorer study gave Mercedes-Benz's proposed mid-size pickup a luxury-focused personality. It retained a double-cab, separate cargo box and body-on-frame pickup configuration but used a sleeker front treatment, road-biased wheels and a carefully trimmed interior reminiscent of Mercedes passenger cars. The engineering program was connected to the Nissan Navara platform and would ultimately include Mercedes-specific suspension and powertrain development. Compared with the Powerful Adventurer, this concept prioritized finish and daily usability over extreme trail clearance. It was one of two distinct 2016 X-Class presentations, not an independent model with a completely unrelated chassis.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept

Mercedes-Benz introduced Generation EQ in Paris to launch the visual and engineering direction of its future EQ electric-vehicle family. The SUV-sized concept was built around a dedicated electric structure with a battery beneath the floor and proposed dual-motor all-wheel drive. Mercedes discussed output of up to about 300 kW and a potential driving range above 500 kilometers, dependent on battery specification and test assumptions. A smooth black front panel, illuminated star and continuous light signatures distinguished the body from combustion SUVs. The production EQC that followed was related in theme, but it did not reproduce every engineering promise of the original show car.

2016 Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 Concept

Revealed at Pebble Beach, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 was a nearly six-meter-long electric luxury coupe with an extremely long bonnet and teardrop rear. Mercedes proposed four electric motors with a combined output of about 550 kW, backed by an underfloor battery of around 80 kWh. Claimed range exceeded 500 kilometers under the European NEDC cycle, not a modern independently measured figure. The 2+2 cabin featured a wraparound dashboard, minimal conventional switches and an enveloping seating design. This coupe was separate from the open-top Vision 6 Cabriolet that would appear in 2017.

2016 MINI Vision Next 100 Concept

MINI joined BMW Group's centenary studies with a compact autonomous-capable vehicle that explored individual mobility even when cars might be shared. Its small footprint, generous glazing and open interior were designed to preserve the social character of a MINI while changing how owners interacted with it. A central interface could adapt colors, digital settings and the driving experience for different users, and automated travel was part of the concept. MINI did not publish a complete homologated drivetrain or range. The design focused on cabin personalization, software and shared access, rather than providing an exact preview of the next production hatchback.

2016 Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept

Mitsubishi unveiled the GT-PHEV in Paris as a large crossover combining electric driving and long-distance utility. The plug-in-hybrid architecture used electric drive at the front and rear, with two electric motors associated with the rear axle for greater control of torque distribution. Mitsubishi proposed more than 120 kilometers of electric-only travel under favorable test assumptions and a long total range with the combustion engine operating as a generator or additional power source. Its sharp lamp graphics and strongly horizontal grille advanced the brand's Dynamic Shield look. The vehicle was a technical direction study, not a production Outlander with a verified new battery capacity.

2016 Mitsubishi XM Concept

Mitsubishi introduced the XM at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show as a blend of compact MPV packaging and crossover styling. The concept's tall roof, high seating position and dramatic angular face previewed a practical seven-seat family car aimed at Southeast Asian markets. It combined generous passenger space with protective cladding and relatively short overhangs, but did not announce a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system or a high-output electric drivetrain. The later Xpander emerged from the same design program with a more conventional front-wheel-drive architecture. The XM's value was finding a crossover look for a price-sensitive people carrier.

2016 Nissan Titan Warrior Concept

Nissan revealed the Titan Warrior at Detroit as an extreme off-road transformation of its Titan XD pickup. The design featured widened fenders, a taller suspension, aggressive skid protection and enormous 37-inch tires, with extensive LED lighting. It retained the concept of a 5.0-liter Cummins turbo-diesel V8 and heavy-duty truck construction rather than switching to electric propulsion. The body and suspension were reworked to improve clearance and desert-running appearance, and several finishes drew on armored equipment. Titan Warrior did not become a showroom trim with the same modified suspension, but it foreshadowed growing appetite for factory-supported off-road pickups.

2016 Opel GT Concept

Opel's Geneva GT concept revived the spirit of the original small rear-drive Opel sports car. It paired a front-mid-mounted 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, rated around 145 hp, with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed sequential transmission. The exceptionally clean body had no conventional exterior door handles or mirrors, while red-painted front wheels and a continuous red beltline made the low nose unmistakable. Opel quoted a curb mass below 1,000 kilograms as a target, explaining how modest power could still deliver lively performance. The GT remained a concept, never reaching dealerships as a production rear-drive Opel coupe.

2016 Peugeot L500 R Hybrid Concept

Peugeot created the L500 R Hybrid to mark a century since its victory at the 1916 Indianapolis 500. This digital speedster study used an exceptionally low single-seat body, exposed racing influence and highly sculpted aerodynamic surfaces. Peugeot imagined a plug-in-hybrid layout combining a small gasoline engine with electric drive for total output around 500 hp, but these were design-project figures rather than test results from a running car. The narrow cockpit and road-hugging shape were designed to evoke open-wheel racers while suggesting a futuristic endurance machine. The L500 was a virtual design proposal, not a production Peugeot sports car.

2016 Renault Trezor Concept

Renault's Trezor debuted at Paris as a sleek electric two-seat grand tourer with a one-piece canopy lifting forward to admit the occupants. Its low body and broad haunches placed a proposed 260-kW electric motor at the rear, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time below four seconds. Separate battery packs and advanced composite construction were discussed, while the passenger compartment used red leather and a wide connected dashboard. The dramatic canopy was integral to the design and not a production-ready door arrangement. Trezor influenced Renault's subsequent design language, especially surface treatment and lighting, without becoming a customer car.

2016 Renault Trezor Concept

2016 Rolls-Royce 103EX Vision Next 100 Concept

Rolls-Royce presented the 103EX as an autonomous electric vision of ultra-luxury motoring. The strikingly long two-seat body used covered wheels, a tall classical radiator shell and a dramatic rearward cabin designed around a sofa-like lounge rather than a driver's seat. The traditional steering wheel disappeared, replaced by a digital assistant and self-driving transport concept. A large side opening and integrated luggage compartment emphasized ceremonial arrival. Rolls-Royce offered no verified battery capacity, motor output or production timeline. The 103EX was intentionally speculative, illustrating coachbuilt autonomy and passenger experience more than immediately usable vehicle engineering.

2016 SEAT Ateca X-Perience Concept

SEAT brought the Ateca X-Perience to Paris to show how its new compact SUV could be adapted for adventurous travel. The study combined a raised, rough-terrain appearance with more protective lower-body pieces, off-road tires, extra lighting and practical cargo accessories. Its underlying MQB-based compact crossover layout remained production-derived, and its four-wheel-drive system followed the general Ateca 4Drive concept rather than introducing a low-range ladder-frame 4x4. The modifications were intended to attract outdoor buyers and test accessory ideas. It was a specific 2016 show build, not a distinct ground-up SUV or new off-road platform.

2016 Skoda VisionS Concept

Skoda unveiled VisionS at Geneva as a near-production preview of its first large three-row SUV, later named Kodiaq. The 4.7-meter body used a long wheelbase, clean shoulder lines and thin headlights to maximize usable passenger space. A plug-in-hybrid drivetrain combined a 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine with electric motors, targeting roughly 165 kW system output and electric-only operation for short trips. Skoda discussed six individual seats in the show interior. The later production Kodiaq was closely related visually, but did not carry every plug-in-hybrid feature from the 2016 concept into its launch range.

2016 SsangYong LIV-2 Concept

SsangYong introduced the LIV-2 at Paris as a substantial seven-seat SUV showing the direction of the next Rexton. The angular, upright body used a strong beltline and heavy front grille, with emphasis on interior width, passenger comfort and long-distance towing capability. The company discussed new petrol and diesel powertrains and rear-drive-based SUV engineering, although exact production combinations were still being finalized. Digital controls, a premium second-row layout and revised suspension ideas supported the more upmarket positioning. LIV-2 was a preview of a real large SUV family, not a separate battery-electric concept.

2016 SsangYong SIV-2 Concept

Shown at Geneva, the SIV-2 developed SsangYong's Smart Interface Vehicle theme into a mid-size crossover concept. It proposed a 1.5-liter direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, using an integrated starter-generator and small battery to assist efficiency. The body emphasized a flowing roofline, wide shoulder and spacious four-seat cabin. Unlike a full plug-in hybrid, the mild-hybrid system was intended to recuperate energy and help the combustion engine rather than provide extensive electric-only range. The concept was important for future styling and electrification discussions, but did not reach production unchanged.

2016 Subaru VIZIV-7 SUV Concept

Subaru unveiled the VIZIV-7 in Los Angeles to demonstrate the size and design direction of a new three-row SUV for North America. Measuring approximately 5,200 mm long and 2,030 mm wide, with a 2,990-mm wheelbase, it was significantly larger than the Forester and Outback. Strong wheel arches, a large grille and protective lower-body cladding kept Subaru's outdoors-oriented character. The brand did not confirm a finished powertrain for this specific show car, despite the AWD identity of its production range. VIZIV-7 anticipated the Ascent, although the eventual production SUV had more practical proportions and equipment.

2016 Subaru XV Concept

Subaru presented the XV Concept at Geneva to preview the second-generation compact crossover. The wide, bright-colored body adopted the company's Dynamic x Solid styling theme, with strongly defined front fenders, a hexagonal grille and pronounced protective cladding. Subaru deliberately emphasized a useful cabin, good visibility and compact off-road proportions rather than announcing an exotic concept engine. The later XV/Crosstrek adopted the Subaru Global Platform and familiar horizontally opposed engines with symmetrical all-wheel drive. The show car's oversized wheels and sharp detailing were not carried over literally, but its basic architecture and design direction were close to production.

2016 Toyota 86 Shooting Brake Concept

Toyota Australia developed the 86 Shooting Brake to investigate whether its rear-wheel-drive sports coupe could work with a longer, more useful roof. The project retained the 86's recognizable bonnet and doors while replacing the rear roofline and deck with an extended glasshouse and hatch-style tail. The prototype kept the front-mounted boxer-engine, rear-drive mechanical concept rather than proposing a new high-power engine. Additional rear headroom and load flexibility were the central benefits, balanced against a different body structure and altered weight distribution. Toyota never offered the shooting-brake conversion for sale, but the one-off was an unusually thoughtful packaging experiment.

2016 Toyota Setsuna Concept

Toyota displayed the Setsuna at Milan Design Week as an experimental open-bodied electric car assembled with extensive wooden construction. Different species of wood were chosen for their texture, durability and aging properties, and many structural joints used traditional Japanese joinery rather than ordinary metal fasteners. A small electric drive system allowed the low-speed car to move, but speed and range were secondary to the material experiment. The two-seat body had a boat-like frame, an exposed interior and a long-term calendar integrated into its instruments. Setsuna asked how a car could acquire character with age rather than become obsolete every product cycle.

2016 Volkswagen BUDD-e Concept

Volkswagen's BUDD-e appeared at CES as an electric microbus that combined classic Type 2 inspiration with a modern modular battery platform. VW proposed dual electric motors providing all-wheel drive, with a battery of about 101 kWh packaged beneath the floor. Claimed European-cycle range was roughly 533 kilometers, and a rapid-charging target of 80 percent capacity in about half an hour was discussed. A wide digital cockpit, gesture controls and connected-home integration were as prominent as the drivetrain. BUDD-e preceded the later ID. Buzz but was a distinct earlier concept with different engineering assumptions and styling.

2016 Volkswagen I.D. Concept

Volkswagen introduced the original I.D. hatchback in Paris as the first major preview of its new dedicated MEB electric architecture. A single rear-mounted motor supplied a proposed 125 kW, while the battery beneath the passenger floor supported a claimed range of approximately 400 to 600 kilometers depending on configuration and test cycle. Short overhangs, a flat floor and large cabin showed the packaging advantage over a converted Golf. VW also demonstrated a retractable steering-wheel idea for anticipated automated operation. The production ID.3 later developed this design direction, although its batteries, safety systems and actual range differed from the original promises.

2016 Volkswagen T-Cross Breeze Concept

Volkswagen showed the T-Cross Breeze at Geneva as a small, open-top four-seat crossover concept. Its raised seating position, short overhangs and wide grille previewed the design of future subcompact SUVs, while the fabric roof and convertible body gave it a deliberately playful character. A 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine was paired with front-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission, emphasizing realistic compact-car mechanical packaging. The subsequent production T-Cross was a closed-roof crossover, not a convertible. The concept's main role was to test the public reaction to a new, smaller Volkswagen SUV identity.

2016 Volkswagen T-Prime Concept GTE

Volkswagen unveiled T-Prime in Beijing as a large luxury SUV concept with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine worked with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing a proposed combined output around 375 hp. The show car used all-wheel drive, an expansive digital cockpit and a battery intended to support substantial urban electric driving. It foreshadowed the proportions and interior direction of a future Touareg while remaining more technologically ambitious than many launch versions. T-Prime was not a direct production specification and its electric range figures were development claims.

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Active Concept

The Tiguan GTE Active debuted in Detroit as a rugged plug-in-hybrid interpretation of Volkswagen's second-generation compact SUV. The concept combined a turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors and a battery pack, permitting electric operation and motor-assisted all-wheel drive without a conventional mechanical shaft to every wheel. Its off-road tires, underbody protection, revised bumpers and elevated stance made it more trail-oriented than a typical road-going Tiguan. Volkswagen used the study to examine drivetrain flexibility and outdoor appeal. The GTE Active was not simply a retail Tiguan trim, and its hybrid architecture did not become standard on production Tiguans.

2016 Volvo 40.1 Concept

Volvo revealed the 40.1 in Sweden as one of two compact design studies introducing the company's new Compact Modular Architecture. The upright crossover shape had short overhangs, a distinctive shoulder line and Thor's Hammer-inspired headlamps. CMA was designed to support a range of powertrains, including plug-in-hybrid and pure-electric systems, without forcing Volvo to build separate bodies for each configuration. The eventual XC40 inherited much of the general exterior direction. Volvo did not present the 40.1 as a completed homologated electric SUV, so later battery capacities and motor outputs do not belong to the 2016 display car.

2016 Volvo 40.2 Concept

Unveiled alongside the 40.1, the Volvo 40.2 explored a low, four-door electric-friendly fastback on the same Compact Modular Architecture. Its crisp surfaces, unusual roof profile and slim lighting pointed toward Volvo's future smaller sedans and hatchbacks. The battery-capable floor and long passenger compartment demonstrated how CMA could accommodate an EV without simply reproducing a traditional combustion sedan package. The design later fed into the Polestar 2, but the 2016 show car carried no verified production motor and range specification. Its importance lies in the platform and proportions rather than a promise of immediate customer deliveries.

Additional global passenger-car and independent studies

Smaller makers, coachbuilders, experimental hypercars and regional concepts introduced in 2016. Virtual design exercises and proposed specifications are identified separately from running prototypes and finished production vehicles.

2016 AC Schnitzer ACL2 Concept

German BMW tuning specialist AC Schnitzer revealed the ACL2 at Geneva as a radical performance conversion built from a 2 Series coupe. Rather than simply remapping the original engine, it installed a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six from the larger M4 family and reworked the cooling, suspension and drivetrain. The tuner claimed approximately 570 hp and a very low weight relative to the engine's output. Wide body panels, a substantial rear wing, race seats and green paint made the engineering changes visible. The ACL2 was a high-cost demonstration of what the compact BMW chassis could accommodate, not a regular catalog M2 model.

2016 Apollo Arrow Concept

Apollo unveiled the Arrow at Geneva as a successor in ambition to the Gumpert Apollo supercar. The low, aggressive carbon-fiber-bodied project proposed a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged V8 and approximately 1,000 hp, with extensive venting, a large fixed rear wing and active aerodynamic ideas. Its cockpit and suspension layout were described in the context of track-focused performance, but projected acceleration and top-speed figures were development claims. The Arrow did not become a normally available production line. Apollo subsequently changed direction toward the Intensa Emozione, making the 2016 Arrow an important but unrealized stage in the brand's revival.

2016 Arash AF10 Hybrid Concept

Arash Motor Company brought its extremely ambitious AF10 hybrid to Geneva with a proposed drivetrain coupling a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and four electric motors. Publicized output figures approached 2,080 hp when both systems were counted together, highlighting just how speculative some 2016 hypercar announcements were. The carbon-fiber body used broad aerodynamic openings, a low mid-engine profile and a futuristic cockpit. A paddle-shift transmission and complex electrical system were part of the proposal, but independent verification of the combined performance was limited. The AF10 remained a small-manufacturer development program rather than a widely delivered series-production hypercar.

2016 Arash AF8 Cassini Concept

The AF8 Cassini was Arash's comparatively conventional Geneva sports-car proposal alongside the far more extreme AF10. It used a mid-mounted naturally aspirated V8 concept, lightweight composite bodywork and rear-wheel-drive sports-car proportions, with an emphasis on mechanical simplicity relative to the hybrid flagship. The narrow cabin and large side air intakes reflected an engine-led design rather than an autonomous mobility exercise. Published details and customer-delivery evidence were much less comprehensive than for major production manufacturers. Its importance is as an example of a boutique maker exploring a more approachable V8 model while simultaneously advertising a headline-grabbing hypercar.

2016 BAIC Arcfox-1 Concept

BAIC's new Arcfox electric sub-brand introduced the Arcfox-1 in Beijing as a tiny open-top city-car study. At just over three meters long, it used a very short wheelbase, prominent wheel-arch protection and simple, squared-off surfaces to maximize maneuverability. The company discussed roughly 200 kilometers of target range and a maximum speed near 120 km/h for the urban EV program. A closed-roof version appeared later in the year, but the original roadster-like concept was designed to be unusual and approachable. It shared nothing mechanically with Arcfox's simultaneous high-performance Arcfox-7 supercar beyond the brand's electric identity.

2016 BAIC Arcfox-7 Concept

Beijing Auto's Arcfox-7 appeared in Beijing as a low electric supercar developed with engineering support from QEV Technologies. Its proposed drivetrain produced approximately 450 kW, or 611 PS, and drew energy from a battery of about 66 kWh. QEV described 0-100 km/h acceleration in roughly 3.4 seconds, while the display featured dramatic upward-opening doors and a deep aerodynamic body. Unlike many styling-only concepts, the project drew on racing electric-drive expertise. Nevertheless, its performance figures were development specifications, not a large set of independent customer tests; the Arcfox-7 was a limited prototype effort rather than a mass-production BAIC sports car.

2016 BAIC Senova OffSpace Concept

BAIC presented OffSpace at the Beijing show as a large SUV-inspired design study for its Senova range. The upright body featured a strong front graphic, squared wheel arches, carefully shaped rear pillars and an expansive passenger compartment. An advanced-looking dashboard and premium trim were used to suggest a future step upward for the marque's crossovers. The manufacturer did not provide a complete, independently established engine and driveline package for the display vehicle, so later production Senova specifications should not be assigned to it. OffSpace is best understood as a styling and packaging marker, not as a finished all-wheel-drive production SUV.

2016 Bell & Ross AeroGT Concept

Watchmaker Bell & Ross created the AeroGT as a virtual supercar study to accompany aviation-inspired watches. The carbon-bodied, low-roof coupe borrowed visual ideas from jet aircraft, including a central rear fin, canopy-like glazing and turbine-shaped wheels. Its hypothetical specification described a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 making approximately 602 hp, an eight-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive. Claimed acceleration and weight targets were design calculations, because a drivable AeroGT was not constructed. The project is notable for taking a watch-brand aesthetic into a convincing automotive form while remaining firmly a digital styling exercise.

2016 Chery FV2030 Concept

Chery revealed the FV2030 in Beijing as an electric-oriented fastback crossover imagining the company's future design language. The low, flowing body used a large glass roof, complex front lighting and upward-opening doors to give an ordinary family-car footprint a science-fiction character. Chery spoke about electrification and connected mobility, but did not disclose a verified complete battery, motor and range package. Its sculpted sides and distinctive nose were more significant than any promised performance. The FV2030 did not turn directly into a production vehicle; it was an ambitious signal that Chinese manufacturers were ready to design beyond conventional SUV silhouettes.

2016 Cowin X5 Concept

Cowin, a younger-market brand connected to Chery, displayed the X5 crossover concept at the Beijing Auto Show. The design combined a relatively conventional two-box SUV body with sharper shoulder lines, substantial wheel arches and a grille intended to separate Cowin from other low-cost Chinese models. Cabin space and ease of production remained priorities even though the show treatment used large wheels and more elaborate trim. Reports at the time discussed a forthcoming practical crossover, but no reliably complete powertrain data were established for the concept itself. It illustrated how China's rapidly expanding regional brands were using show cars to define distinct family identities.

2016 FAW Besturn X4 Concept

FAW Besturn unveiled the X4 in Beijing as a compact crossover with an unusually intricate, web-like grille. Slim headlights, bright orange detailing and a sloping roof gave the vehicle much more personality than the company's earlier sedans. The concept proposed a useful small-SUV footprint and a more connected dashboard, with two distinct rear seats visible in the show interior. FAW discussed later turbocharged petrol powertrains for the market segment, but those later plans should not be treated as confirmed machinery inside the exhibition car. X4 was a design and market-positioning proposal shown alongside the larger X6 study.

2016 FAW Besturn X6 Concept

The Besturn X6 appeared at the same Beijing show as the X4, using a larger crossover body with a rounded glasshouse and sharp front lamps. A strong grille and distinctive trim line running from the A-pillar toward the rear helped establish a recognizable family look. Inside, wide center-console surfaces, several digital displays and a premium four-seat arrangement showed ambitions beyond an entry-level utility vehicle. FAW had not released a full production engine and transmission specification for the concept. The X6's main significance was previewing how the Besturn range could expand into a more expensive, higher-riding segment.

2016 Haval HB-02 Concept

Great Wall's Haval brand presented the HB-02 at Beijing as a mid-size SUV design study with a blue badge identifying one side of its developing product strategy. The concept combined a clean roofline, pronounced rear shoulders and an expansive digital dashboard incorporating a wide OLED display. Wood, leather and Alcantara details gave its four-seat interior a more luxurious character than mainstream Haval models of the time. Hybrid propulsion was discussed, but definitive testable engine and battery specifications were not announced. HB-02 was a fresh 2016 proposal and should be distinguished from the separate red-badged HR-02 compact crossover.

2016 Haval HR-02 Concept

Haval's HR-02 was the more compact companion to the HB-02 at the Beijing show. With a red grille emblem, chunky wheel arches and a sportier profile, it explored how the brand could make smaller crossovers look stronger without becoming full-size off-road vehicles. The design had a high waistline, small rear quarter windows and a practical hatchback-like tail. Cabin materials and digital controls suggested an upgrade from the company's contemporary low-price interiors. Powertrain details remained limited, so there is little basis for assigning a particular later Haval turbocharged engine to this display car. The HR-02 was primarily a design exercise.

2016 Hongqi B-Concept

China's Hongqi brand introduced the B-Concept in Beijing as a modern executive sedan study with a commanding vertical grille and traditional red-flag hood ornament. The long, low body used rear-hinged rear doors, substantial rear overhang and individual seating for four passengers. White upholstery, dark wood and a digital dashboard, along with a tea-service feature in the center console, mixed national luxury cues with new technology. Hongqi offered no comprehensive final engine or battery figures, making this a styling and interior exploration. The concept was separate from the equally imposing S-Concept SUV also displayed at the show.

2016 Hongqi S-Concept

The S-Concept was Hongqi's large luxury SUV proposal for the 2016 Beijing exhibition. Its tall nose carried a massive grille and distinctive hood ornament, while thin lamps and a strong shoulder line attempted to translate the marque's chauffeur-driven sedan identity to a taller body. Hongqi discussed hybrid propulsion but did not publish a detailed, independently proven mechanical specification. The passenger cabin was designed to suggest executive comfort rather than demanding off-road utility. The S-Concept was distinct from the B-Concept sedan, and its proportions and badging reflected a separate future SUV program, not a rebodied production Hongqi already available to buy.

2016 Italdesign GTZero Concept

Italdesign unveiled the GTZero in Geneva as a carbon-structured electric shooting brake that mixed supercar styling with useful luggage space. Three electric motors, two at the front and one at the rear, supplied a proposed 360 kW and electric all-wheel drive, with four-wheel steering built into the concept. Italdesign quoted a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h and a target range around 500 kilometers. The battery was integrated into the carbon monocoque, and a reconfigurable seating arrangement accommodated different passenger and luggage combinations. GTZero was a sophisticated design-house demonstrator, not an announced production Volkswagen Group model.

2016 JAC SC5 Concept

JAC's SC5 appeared at Beijing as a mid-size crossover designed by the manufacturer's Italy-based styling team. The show car featured a much more cohesive hexagonal grille, slim headlights and sharp shoulder than some earlier JAC products. The rear glass and lights made the compact SUV body seem wider, and the concept previewed future family styling. Initial reports discussed a possible hybrid drivetrain, but JAC did not publish a detailed finished engine and motor specification. SC5 was a design and market study, distinct from the manufacturer's smaller production Refine models and not evidence that a particular 2017 SUV powertrain was already finalized.

2016 LeEco LeSEE Concept

Chinese technology company LeEco showed its LeSEE electric car in Beijing as a long, smooth, connected sedan conceived for future autonomous transport. The body had an almost grille-free front, uninterrupted roofline and thin lighting, while the cockpit emphasized screens and services rather than traditional driver controls. LeEco demonstrated low-speed self-movement and discussed ride-hailing, automated driving and integration with its consumer electronics ecosystem. It did not disclose a fully validated battery capacity, performance envelope or production plan. The initial LeSEE should be kept separate from the mildly updated Pro concept shown during the company's October US launch.

2016 LeEco LeSEE Pro Concept

LeEco presented the LeSEE Pro in San Francisco during October 2016 as a revised version of its earlier Beijing electric sedan. The elongated fastback body retained minimal grille treatment, an expansive roof and thin lights, but gained modified front and rear details and a greater emphasis on automated driving and software integration. Much of the launch focused on how the car might connect to LeEco's screens, phones and content services, rather than on demonstrably finished EV engineering. LeEco did not establish credible mass-production battery or motor specifications for customer vehicles. The Pro represented a second public concept stage, not a production-ready successor delivered in volume.

2016 Pininfarina H2 Speed Concept

Pininfarina unveiled the H2 Speed in Geneva with GreenGT to demonstrate hydrogen fuel-cell performance in a racing-inspired mid-engine package. Two electric traction motors were supplied by a hydrogen fuel-cell system rather than a large plug-in battery. The very low prototype body used substantial aerodynamic surfaces, front air channels and a long rear deck. Pininfarina and GreenGT discussed about 370 kW of combined motor output and rapid refueling as major advantages. The technology had roots in competition engineering, but the striking show car was a design and development demonstrator, not a homologated production road car or a conventional gasoline-powered Pininfarina.

2016 Qoros 3 Q-LECTRIQ Concept

Qoros displayed the 3 Q-LECTRIQ as an electric version of its compact sedan-based model family during 2016, including at Guangzhou. A largely closed front grille, bright blue trim and an altered drive selector identified its zero-tailpipe-emission configuration. Qoros discussed a range of around 350 kilometers, a 0-100 km/h time under eight seconds and fast charging to about 80 percent in roughly an hour. Those claims applied to the concept proposal rather than a separately tested customer car. The vehicle was significant because it explored an electric drivetrain within an existing affordable sedan platform, not a bespoke luxury EV architecture.

2016 Qoros 5 Q-LECTRIQ Concept

The Qoros 5 Q-LECTRIQ explored the idea of adapting the brand's crossover into an all-electric model, complementing the better publicized Qoros 3 Q-LECTRIQ sedan. The familiar high-roof five-door SUV package offered useful passenger and cargo space, while closed-off front surfaces and blue details signaled electric propulsion. At the time, detailed motor, battery and charging specifications for this particular model were not consistently established in public material. Unlike an independent ground-up concept, the Qoros 5 electric study drew heavily on an existing production design. It remained an electrification proposal rather than a widely delivered production crossover.

2016 Rimac Concept S

Rimac revealed the Concept_S at Geneva as a track-biased development of its electric Concept_One hypercar. Four electric motors with independent torque control drove the wheels, and Rimac quoted about 1,384 hp from the combined system. More aggressive aerodynamics included a large rear wing, front splitter and multiple cooling outlets, while the cabin lost weight through a more competition-oriented fit-out. The upgraded performance and lighter body made it more extreme than the relatively road-focused Concept_One. The Concept_S remained a very low-volume development car and should not be treated as a later Nevera or a production model with mass-market support.

2016 Sbarro Arcad Concept

Sbarro's 2016 Arcad was part of the designer's continuing series of experimental vehicles and student-associated projects. It stood apart from the more conventional Ginevra roadster and the Haze endurance prototype, which also belonged to the same year's work. The project emphasized unusual body design and artisanal construction over a mass-production platform, illustrating how Sbarro could use small-scale builds to test visual solutions that major carmakers would avoid. Publicly established mechanical data are limited compared with those of the other 2016 Sbarro cars, so specific engine-output and acceleration claims should not be assumed. Arcad remained an individual experimental project.

2016 Sbarro Ginevra Concept

Franco Sbarro's Ginevra appeared at Geneva as a traditional-looking open two-seat roadster based on Ferrari 550 Maranello running gear. The original front-mounted Ferrari V12, manual transmission and major chassis components were retained, but the suspension and the entire exterior body were reworked. The most unusual detail was a rear luggage compartment that slid outward like a drawer, reviving an idea Sbarro had experimented with decades earlier. Two removable helmets were integrated into the open rear bodywork. Unlike most speculative Geneva proposals, Ginevra became a registered one-off vehicle in Switzerland, showing how radical bodywork could be built around established mechanical hardware.

2016 Sbarro Haze Concept

Students at Espera Sbarro's Montbeliard school built Haze in just 68 days for the Geneva Motor Show. The endurance-racing-inspired coupe used a tubular steel chassis and lightweight composite bodywork, giving it a quoted mass around 900 kilograms. Its turbocharged Audi-derived five-cylinder engine was tuned to approximately 300 hp and connected to a manual transmission. The compact cockpit, broad wheel arches and competition tires suggested a small prototype racer rather than a road-going GT. The school described Haze as an evolving project that future students could continue to develop, not a finished homologated racing car destined for a professional championship.

2016 Techrules AT96 TREV Concept

Chinese company Techrules unveiled the AT96 in Geneva as one of two dramatic turbine-recharging electric-vehicle studies. Electric motors drove the wheels while a small gas turbine acted primarily as an on-board generator rather than being mechanically connected to the axles. The AT96 program was associated with the use of aviation-type liquid fuel, reflecting a different energy supply idea from the related GT96. Techrules promoted extraordinary total output and range figures, but those remained manufacturer projections for experimental technology. The car's low wedge body, highly ventilated rear and unusual energy system made it one of the year's more ambitious alternative-powertrain proposals.

2016 Techrules GT96 TREV Concept

Techrules also presented the GT96, a second turbine-recharging electric supercar concept, at Geneva. Its engineering principle resembled the AT96: battery-buffered electric traction motors supplied wheel torque, while a turbine generator was intended to restore charge during use. The distinction was the fuel-system direction, with the GT96 associated with a gas-based turbine arrangement rather than the AT96's aviation-fuel emphasis. This was not simply a conventional hybrid V8 hidden under an electric-looking body. Technical performance claims were ambitious and insufficiently supported by independent driving tests, but the concept anticipated the company's later Ren turbine-recharging project.

2016 Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spyder Concept

Carrozzeria Touring presented the Disco Volante Spyder at Geneva as a limited-production coachbuilt adaptation of Alfa Romeo 8C Spider running gear. The hand-formed aluminum body and carbon-fiber trim gave the open car broad, rounded fenders and a long boat-tail-like rear, echoing Touring's famous 1950s Disco Volante. Beneath the new panels sat a front-mid-mounted 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 and rear-wheel-drive transaxle architecture inherited from the Alfa donor. The car was intended for a tiny run of bespoke examples, making it more substantial than a visual show buck. The 2016 Spyder was distinct from the earlier closed Disco Volante coupe.

2016 Zotye T300 Concept

Zotye unveiled the T300 in Beijing as a compact crossover with unusually sculpted side surfaces and a floating-looking roof. The grille and lighting departed from the manufacturer's reputation for copying other brands, while protective cladding and a tall cabin retained the characteristics of a practical Chinese-market SUV. A 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated around 162 hp and 215 Nm was discussed for the program. The subsequent production T300 was revised before sale and should not be mistaken for an exact reproduction of the original body. Its importance lay as much in Zotye's attempt at original styling as in its conventional crossover engineering.

Urban mobility, commercial and autonomous vehicle concepts

Experimental buses, freight vehicles, connected cars and unconventional electric mobility platforms introduced or substantially re-engineered in 2016. This section emphasizes vehicle packaging, propulsion and automation rather than styling alone.

2016 Audi Q3 Connected Mobility Concept

Audi introduced the Q3 Connected Mobility at the Beijing motor show with an electrically powered longboard integrated into a retractable section of the rear bumper. The board could serve as a last-mile transport device after the driver parked the conventional compact SUV. Audi proposed linking the car's navigation and the board through a phone, allowing route suggestions to include driving, parking and the remaining short journey. Unlike a speculative autonomous-car sketch, the display made its central idea physically easy to understand: a normal crossover could carry a compact personal-mobility machine without taking up luggage space. It was an experiment in connected transport rather than a new engine or chassis architecture.

2016 Hyundai Ioniq Autonomous Concept

Hyundai showed an autonomous-driving version of the Ioniq at the Los Angeles Auto Show using the production hybrid hatchback as its base. Instead of bolting a conspicuous laser scanner onto the roof, the engineers incorporated a lidar unit into the front fascia, accompanied by cameras, radar, GPS and mapping data. The design aimed to make self-driving hardware less visually intrusive and more practical to package in a mass-market vehicle. This concept was a development platform rather than a claim that the Ioniq could operate without supervision on every road. Hyundai used it to explore automated navigation in controlled and increasingly complex traffic environments.

2016 Iveco Z Truck Concept

Iveco's Z Truck debuted at the IAA Commercial Vehicles exhibition in Hanover as an experimental long-haul tractor designed around renewable biomethane. A natural-gas powertrain and large fuel-storage installation supported the ambition of lower carbon emissions, although the zero-impact theme was an aspiration rather than a measured lifecycle result. The sharply rounded cab was designed to reduce drag while offering a more spacious living area for drivers. Sliding doors, connected vehicle management and automated assistance reflected the constraints of modern freight transport. The vehicle's engineering interest lay in combining a lower-carbon fuel strategy with better aerodynamic packaging and an unusually radical truck cab.

2016 Komatsu Innovative Autonomous Haulage Vehicle Concept

Komatsu presented a cabless autonomous haulage vehicle concept at MINExpo 2016, dispensing entirely with the traditional operator's compartment. Because the truck did not need a human forward-facing driving position, its body could be laid out more symmetrically, with steering on all four wheels and similar travel capability in either direction. The resulting design offered the potential to reduce three-point turns at mines, improve maneuverability and keep operators out of hazardous zones. This was not a road-legal consumer car but a substantial rethink of off-road vehicle architecture. Its drivetrain and steering were specified for industrial duty cycles rather than passenger comfort or highway speeds.

2016 Local Motors Olli Autonomous Shuttle Concept

Local Motors debuted Olli in 2016 as a small electrically powered passenger shuttle intended for campuses, airports and defined urban routes. Its box-shaped, high-roof body prioritized accessible seating and low-speed operation over high-speed aerodynamic efficiency. The company promoted a partially 3D-printed construction method and used IBM Watson technology as a conversational interface for passengers. That voice interaction should not be confused with the complete autonomous-driving control system, which depended on separate sensors and software. Olli's importance was as an early public demonstration of modular, low-speed self-driving transit that might be deployed on limited routes rather than as a privately owned family car.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Future Bus CityPilot Prototype

Mercedes-Benz revealed the Future Bus with CityPilot as a working research vehicle able to negotiate parts of an urban bus route under specified conditions. Based on the Citaro platform, it incorporated cameras, radar and navigation systems to recognize traffic signals, approach stops and manage sections of a dedicated transit corridor. A redesigned interior with distinct passenger zones showed how an automated bus might be configured for everyday use. Although the presentation included real driving demonstrations, CityPilot was not unrestricted driverless technology: defined infrastructure, an attentive operator and controlled test conditions remained important. Its strongest engineering contribution was integrating automated steering, braking and bus-stop positioning into a full-size public-transit vehicle.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck Concept

Mercedes-Benz Trucks introduced the Urban eTruck in 2016 as a fully electric heavy distribution truck with battery modules fitted around a commercial vehicle chassis. Two electric drive units at the rear axle replaced the conventional diesel powertrain. The manufacturer discussed a driving range of up to roughly 200 kilometers, appropriate to local delivery circuits rather than long-haul work. Electronic side displays and a simplified front fascia gave the prototype an overtly futuristic appearance, but the practical challenge was load capacity versus battery mass and charging downtime. It previewed the growing feasibility of low-noise, locally emissions-free medium- and heavy-duty urban freight operations.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Vision Van Concept

The Vision Van was Mercedes-Benz's 2016 attempt to combine an electric delivery vehicle with automated parcel sorting and drone-assisted distribution. Its smooth, high-roof body enclosed an organized cargo system that could move parcels toward the rear door and roof-mounted delivery equipment. The electric drivetrain was described with a battery capacity around 75 kWh and a targeted range of up to 270 kilometers, dependent on configuration and conditions. Two small delivery drones formed part of the demonstration, though local aviation rules would constrain practical use. More than a van styling study, it imagined how warehouse logistics, route planning, package handling and last-mile delivery hardware could operate as one system.

2016 Nissan BladeGlider Running Prototype

Nissan introduced working BladeGlider prototypes in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016, developing its 2013 Tokyo design into drivable electric sports cars. The narrow front track and wider rear stance remained the defining chassis geometry, while the driver sat centrally ahead of two passengers. Twin rear electric motors were used to power the vehicle, with software able to vary torque distribution for cornering response. A large open cockpit and compact battery packaging separated the BladeGlider from conventional two-seat sports cars. The 2016 cars were functional demonstration vehicles, not a new concept first imagined in 2016 or a confirmed production program with final road-homologation specifications.

2016 Nissan Navara EnGuard Concept

At the Hannover commercial vehicle show, Nissan revealed the Navara EnGuard as a rescue-oriented pickup fitted with equipment intended for severe-weather and remote-area operations. Based on the Navara double cab, it carried a raised suspension, enlarged off-road tires, auxiliary lighting and an equipment rack for emergency personnel. Two portable battery packs were designed to be charged by the truck and then removed to provide power away from the vehicle. A drone could survey terrain and relay useful information before a team entered a difficult area. The core diesel truck drivetrain remained familiar; the innovation was packaging a mobile rescue base with portable electrical energy and aerial observation.

2016 Rinspeed Etos Concept

Swiss design company Rinspeed debuted Etos at CES as an autonomous-driving interpretation of a BMW i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car. In automated mode, the steering wheel could retract and a large widescreen interface took over more of the cockpit's visual space. A landing pad integrated into the rear deck could carry a small drone for filming or exploration. Connected assistants, gesture controls and adaptive cabin functions added to the intentionally theatrical package. Etos retained the basic mid-engined plug-in-hybrid architecture of its BMW donor rather than introducing an independently engineered supercar platform. Its purpose was to test how cockpit furniture and driver interaction might change when driving tasks become automated.

2016 Roborace DevBot Prototype

Roborace's DevBot appeared in 2016 as a functional electric development car for autonomous racing software. Unlike the later Robocar, it retained a conventional cockpit so a human engineer or test driver could operate the vehicle during early testing. Cameras, lidar, radar, GPS and processing hardware collected track data and allowed autonomous control algorithms to be developed on real pavement. Electric propulsion offered repeatable torque delivery, but the major challenge was integrating the sensing system with high-speed steering and braking decisions. DevBot was a moving test rig, not an established championship race car or a production model; its role was to let competing software teams develop against shared hardware.

Production-bound engineering prototypes and bespoke performance vehicles

Working race-car developments, limited-series announcements and engineering demonstrators introduced in 2016. Several were road-car prototypes rather than conventional styling concepts; later production specifications are not substituted for the original vehicles' announced figures.

2016 Acura NSX Electric 4-Motor Concept

Acura fielded an experimental all-electric NSX at the 2016 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb to demonstrate its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive technology in a competition setting. The race car used electric drive units capable of controlling torque independently at each wheel, unlike the production NSX's twin-turbo V6 and three-motor hybrid configuration. Aggressive aerodynamics and racing suspension accommodated steep elevation changes, sharp hairpins and rapidly changing traction. The program was not an attempt to sell a battery-only NSX immediately. It was a test of advanced electric torque vectoring and the ability to tune yaw response without relying solely on conventional differentials and friction brakes.

2016 Acura NSX GT3 Race Prototype

Acura unveiled the NSX GT3 race-car prototype at the New York International Auto Show in 2016. Whereas the road-going NSX used three electric motors to assist its mid-mounted twin-turbo V6, the GT3 removed the hybrid system and sent engine output to the rear wheels to suit racing rules and reduce complexity. A wide body, front splitter, prominent rear wing and race-oriented suspension addressed aerodynamic load and tire grip. The concept's 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 shared basic origins with the street car but was reconfigured for competition. GT3 homologation and series development followed, making the 2016 display a development-stage race vehicle rather than a purely cosmetic show car.

2016 Aston Martin AM-RB 001 Hypercar Concept

Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing announced AM-RB 001 in July 2016 as a road-going hypercar that used Adrian Newey's racing-aerodynamics approach. Rather than merely adding a large wing, the carbon-fiber structure was conceived to produce substantial downforce through carefully controlled underbody airflow and large venturi tunnels. A naturally aspirated V12 was planned for the mid-engined layout, with an ambitious one-to-one horsepower-to-kilogram target. The two-seat cockpit was pushed toward a compact central package to free space for aerodynamic surfaces. The vehicle later became the Valkyrie, but the final engine displacement, hybrid hardware and customer-car performance figures were not yet fully established by the early 2016 presentation.

2016 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Volante Prototype

After the Vanquish Zagato coupe's introduction, Aston Martin and Zagato unveiled an open Volante at Pebble Beach in August 2016. The special body used hand-crafted carbon-fiber panels shaped around the front-engined Vanquish architecture, retaining the naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 and rear transaxle configuration. The double-bubble roof of the coupe gave way to an open cockpit, but Zagato's sculpted wheel arches, front grille and muscular rear fenders remained. The project was announced for extremely limited production, not as a replacement for the standard Vanquish Volante. It illustrated how extensive a body redesign was possible without redesigning the entire mechanical platform.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 Fuel Cell Concept

General Motors developed the Colorado ZH2 with the U.S. Army as a fuel-cell electric tactical vehicle concept, publicly shown in 2016. A modified, reinforced Colorado truck chassis carried a hydrogen fuel-cell system powering electric motors, providing strong low-speed torque and quieter operation than a conventional diesel. The vehicle also explored exportable electrical power for equipment and reduced thermal or acoustic signatures in field conditions. Oversized off-road tires, widened track and upgraded suspension distinguished it from a civilian pickup. Military trials were planned to evaluate the technology; the ZH2 was never simply a showroom Colorado with an alternate engine option and standardized consumer range rating.

2016 Citroen C3 WRC Concept

Citroen unveiled the C3 WRC Concept at the Paris Motor Show ahead of its 2017 World Rally Championship return. The widebody competition-style car previewed a fully developed four-wheel-drive rally machine based on the compact C3 hatchback silhouette. Under the skin, the racing version was engineered for a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing approximately 380 hp within 2017 WRC regulations, together with sequential transmission and competition suspension. Huge wheel-arch extensions, deep bumpers, roof scoop and an elaborate rear wing anticipated more permissive rally aerodynamics. The 2016 exhibition car was a preview of a racing program, not a proposal to sell the same suspension or downforce package on ordinary road-going C3 models.

2016 Faraday Future FFZERO1 Concept

Faraday Future debuted the FFZERO1 at CES as a single-seat electric racing-car design built around its proposed Variable Platform Architecture. The low canopy, sharply tapered cockpit and broad wheel arches were more reminiscent of endurance-racing prototypes than a normal passenger EV. The company publicized a theoretical four-motor powertrain exceeding 1,000 hp and extremely ambitious speed claims, but these were forward-looking concept figures rather than independent tests of a showroom car. A narrow, centrally positioned driving position and advanced digital displays emphasized its science-fiction quality. FFZERO1 was primarily a technology and brand statement, distinct from the later multi-seat FF 91 electric crossover project.

2016 Ford Mustang GT4 Development Prototype

Ford Performance and Multimatic introduced the Mustang GT4 at the 2016 SEMA Show as a customer-racing development car informed by the Shelby GT350R-C program. The racing coupe used a competition version of Ford's 5.2-liter V8, with a sequential gearbox, aerodynamic front splitter, broad rear wing and suspension calibrated to GT4 regulations. Unlike a visually modified street Mustang, the car was designed around sustained circuit use, driver safety equipment and servicing requirements. Its appearance marked a step from bespoke works racing to a platform intended for multiple customer teams. Final homologated outputs and championship balance-of-performance settings depended on competition rules rather than quoted street-car horsepower.

2016 Jaguar XKSS Continuation Prototype

Jaguar Classic presented a freshly built XKSS continuation in 2016 as the first of a limited recreation program intended to complete the production originally interrupted by Jaguar's 1957 Browns Lane factory fire. The hand-made body, period-style cockpit and straight-six engine layout recreated the 1950s roadgoing derivative of the D-Type racing car. Rather than being a modern redesign or electronic concept, the project depended on archival drawings, traditional manufacturing methods and careful reproduction of original chassis dimensions and fittings. It was a production-intent heritage prototype that demonstrated the unusual engineering challenges of reconstructing an obsolete design to historically faithful specifications decades after the original tooling and supplier network disappeared.

2016 Lamborghini Centenario Prototype

Lamborghini unveiled the Centenario at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show to mark the centenary of founder Ferruccio Lamborghini's birth. Based on Aventador-family carbon-fiber architecture, the limited-series hypercar used a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 rated at 770 metric horsepower, with seven-speed automated transmission and all-wheel drive. Its sharp nose, enormous diffuser, active rear wing and heavily ventilated bodywork emphasized aerodynamic performance. Rear-wheel steering provided additional maneuverability and stability. Lamborghini planned 20 coupes and 20 roadsters, so the presentation was tied to a finite manufacturing run rather than a speculative future flagship. This vehicle should be distinguished from the production Aventador's ordinary trim variations.

2016 Lucid Air Development Prototype

Lucid Motors unveiled its Air electric luxury sedan in December 2016 after development under the earlier Atieva name. The prototype placed a long passenger cabin on a dedicated battery-electric platform with compact motor units, targeting interior space normally associated with larger executive sedans. The company discussed dual-motor all-wheel drive with as much as approximately 1,000 hp and a longer-range battery option around 100 kWh, but these remained development targets rather than final certified customer specifications. Flush surfaces and a wide, curved windshield reflected its aerodynamics-first styling. The important engineering story was the combination of dense motor packaging, efficient body proportions and a battery system designed for high power output.

2016 Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli Prototype

Italian manufacturer Mazzanti announced the Evantra Millecavalli in 2016 as an extreme development of its hand-built mid-engined supercar. The package centered on a twin-turbocharged V8 of approximately 7.2 liters, with a claimed output of 1,000 metric horsepower, driving the rear wheels. Enlarged air intakes, a deep front splitter and substantial rear aerodynamic elements addressed the cooling and downforce demands of that power level. The company promoted very limited production and dramatic acceleration estimates; independent evidence remained far thinner than for established mass-produced performance cars. The prototype's distinction was its traditional oversized combustion engine in an era when many similarly ambitious concepts relied on hybrid assistance.

2016 McLaren 570S GT4 Prototype

McLaren developed the 570S GT4 in 2016 as a track-only race car related to its Sport Series road coupe. The underlying carbon-fiber MonoCell structure and mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 remained central, but race regulations required revised output, gearing, safety equipment and aerodynamic components. A fixed rear wing, splitter, wider track and competition cooling replaced the street car's more restrained arrangement. Development testing continued before wider customer deliveries. Unlike a styling package for road buyers, the GT4 was designed for endurance, repeatable lap times and efficient pit servicing, with performance governed by the class's balance-of-performance rules rather than the road model's marketing figures.

2016 Morgan EV3 Production-Intent Concept

Morgan showed its electric EV3 at Geneva in 2016, translating the three-wheel 3 Wheeler's narrow nose and exposed chassis character into a battery-powered machine. A single electric motor drove the rear wheel, while the compact front axle retained the recognizable two-wheel leading layout. The planned battery capacity was roughly 20 kWh, and Morgan discussed an estimated range around 150 miles, subject to subsequent development. Lightweight carbon-fiber components and asymmetrical details were used to counter the weight of the electrical system. The EV3 was not a finished mass-production electric Morgan; the project changed as suppliers and technology plans evolved. Its appeal was preserving the brand's unusual handling layout without the traditional V-twin engine.

2016 NIO EP9 Electric Hypercar Prototype

NextEV introduced its NIO brand in London in November 2016 alongside the EP9 track-focused electric hypercar. Four individual electric motors and four gearboxes delivered a combined quoted output of one megawatt, approximately 1,360 metric horsepower, through a carbon-fiber chassis. Exchangeable battery packs, advanced torque vectoring and large aerodynamic devices were central to the engineering package. NIO publicized a Nürburgring Nordschleife electric-car lap of 7 minutes 5.12 seconds recorded before the public unveiling; later faster laps should not be attributed to the initial 2016 reveal. This was a genuinely drivable extreme-performance machine, although production numbers were minute and normal passenger-car comfort was secondary to record-setting capability.

2016 Ram Rebel TRX Concept

Ram unveiled the Rebel TRX in 2016 as an extreme off-road pickup study based on the 1500 platform. A supercharged 6.2-liter V8 was quoted at roughly 575 hp, less than the output of the later production TRX. The concept's widened body, long-travel suspension, reinforced underbody and oversized off-road tires were designed for high-speed desert running. Ram discussed the vehicle as a performance experiment rather than a confirmed trim level available to order immediately. The 2016 TRX should not be confused with the 2021 production truck, which had substantially different engineering and power figures. Its importance was proving a market and mechanical direction for factory-built, high-output off-road pickups.

2016 Renault Clio R.S.16 Concept

Renault Sport created the Clio R.S.16 for its fortieth anniversary and demonstrated it around the Monaco Grand Prix. Engineers fitted the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine from the Megane R.S. 275 Trophy-R into a Clio shell, producing 275 hp and 360 Nm. Crucially, the car used a six-speed manual transmission instead of the contemporary Clio R.S.'s dual-clutch layout. Wider bodywork, 19-inch wheels, reinforced suspension and upgraded cooling were needed to make the engine swap usable. The R.S.16 was a running experiment in how much performance a front-drive supermini platform could support, not a promised showroom special that customers were ever guaranteed to receive.

2016 Rimac Concept_One Production Version

Rimac exhibited the production-intent Concept_One at Geneva in 2016, a substantially matured version of the electric hypercar first shown in 2011. Four motors drove the wheels independently, with single-speed front reduction gears and two-speed dual-clutch gearboxes at the rear. The company quoted 1,088 metric horsepower and an 82-kWh battery, alongside software-controlled torque vectoring at each corner. The carbon-intensive structure was designed to handle extreme electric torque while maintaining sports-car proportions. A total run of eight cars was announced. This entry refers specifically to the 2016 production-spec presentation, not the original five-year-old design debut or later Rimac models with significantly higher power figures.

2016 Spyker C8 Preliator Prototype

Spyker unveiled the C8 Preliator at Geneva in 2016 as a new evolution of its hand-built mid-engined sports-car line. The long wheelbase, exposed mechanical detailing and aviation-influenced cabin trim remained recognizably Spyker, but the body gained new intakes, lighting and sculpted side surfaces. The initial presentation used an Audi-derived supercharged 4.2-liter V8, quoted at approximately 525 hp, with rear-wheel drive and manual or automatic transmission plans. Carbon-fiber body elements were fitted over a lightweight chassis. The Preliator was intended for low-volume production but faced the commercial uncertainties typical of tiny specialist manufacturers. It did not establish a mainstream production model with predictable sales and service availability.

2016 Tesla Model 3 Unveiling Prototype

Tesla publicly introduced Model 3 prototypes in March 2016 as a smaller, lower-priced sedan intended to bring long-range battery-electric motoring to a wider audience. The smooth fastback profile, compact front overhang and dedicated battery floor emphasized cabin packaging and aerodynamics. Tesla demonstrated a radically simplified interior centered around a landscape touchscreen, with conventional dashboard hardware largely removed. Initial announcements discussed a starting price around $35,000 and at least 215 miles of range, but final configurations, battery sizes and certification figures evolved ahead of the 2017 production launch. The original prototype is a legitimate 2016 debut, not proof that every later performance, range or Autopilot capability existed at launch.

2016 Toyota Yaris WRC Race Prototype

Toyota's 2017 World Rally Championship campaign took shape publicly in 2016 through the Yaris WRC development car. Beneath a road-going Yaris silhouette sat a competition four-wheel-drive system, sequential transmission, extensive roll cage and racing suspension developed for demanding gravel and asphalt stages. The 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine was designed for power in the high-300-hp region under the revised WRC regulations. Huge rear aerodynamic devices and inflated wheel arches anticipated the more aggressive rules for 2017. This was a motorsport prototype built to compete, not a styling study for the road-car dealership or an ordinary production Yaris with added graphics.

2016 Zenvo TS1 Prototype

Danish specialist Zenvo introduced the TS1 at Geneva in 2016 as a new development of its earlier ST1 supercar family. The mid-mounted 5.9-liter V8 used twin superchargers and a revised cooling strategy to produce an announced output over 1,000 metric horsepower. A carbon-fiber body, wide rear track, low roof and extensive rear ventilation helped package the powertrain. The project also included a track-focused TSR derivative shown during the same period, but the road-intent TS1 offered a more accommodating cockpit and different equipment. As with many low-volume hypercars, projected acceleration and top-speed numbers were manufacturer estimates rather than independently certified measurements for a large production fleet.

2016 Zenvo TSR Track Prototype

The Zenvo TSR appeared alongside the TS1 family as a dedicated track-oriented development, with a large rear wing, broad diffuser, aggressive air extraction and an austere cabin. Its mid-engined, twin-supercharged V8 platform shared the road car's core architecture, but cooling, suspension settings and aerodynamic load were tailored for circuit use. Weight reduction and increased downforce mattered at least as much as peak horsepower. This 2016 prototype should not be confused with the later TSR-S and its unusual actively moving Centripetal Wing, an innovation introduced after the initial TSR. The car represented Zenvo's ambition to develop dedicated circuit machinery from its ultra-low-volume road-car engineering.

Factory show builds, coachbuilt specials and motorsport-inspired one-offs

Manufacturer-supported exhibition vehicles, student-built specials and one-off conversions introduced in 2016. These frequently used existing production powertrains; the entries explain which mechanical changes were substantial and which modifications chiefly explored appearance, accessories or packaging.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS Slammer Concept

Chevrolet's Camaro SS Slammer appeared at SEMA as a factory-backed experiment in extremely low ride height and exaggerated wheel proportions. The coupe retained its sixth-generation Camaro structure and 455-hp 6.2-liter LT1 V8, but air suspension allowed it to settle much closer to the floor than a normal SS. Oversized staggered wheels, notably 22 inches at the front and 24 inches at the rear, filled the body openings in the style of a design rendering. Shaved trim and subdued paint kept attention on the stance. Chevrolet did not pitch it as a balanced road-racing setup; the wheel sizes and minimal tire sidewalls were chosen mainly for visual impact.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo AutoX Concept

The Turbo AutoX was Chevrolet's more attainable performance idea at the 2016 SEMA Show, built around the four-cylinder turbocharged Camaro instead of the V8. A 2.0-liter engine supplied the underlying power, while the prototype concentrated on autocross response through firmer suspension, larger brakes and freer-flowing intake and exhaust parts. Bright yellow paint and aggressive aerodynamic trim set it apart visually, but the meaningful changes involved sharper turn-in and better heat management during repeated short runs. The concept argued that a balanced, lighter-front-end Camaro could be enjoyable without using the range's most powerful engine. The exact mix of concept and saleable accessories varied.

2016 Chevrolet Chevelle Slammer Concept

Chevrolet transformed a 1969 Chevelle into the Slammer at SEMA, using a classic muscle-car shell to display modern engine and chassis components. Under its traditional long hood sat an LT376/535 small-block crate-engine package, matched to a modern automatic transmission, while custom suspension allowed the car to lower dramatically when parked. The black exterior retained familiar 1969 character lines, with tucked-in wheels and minimal chrome, and the interior received bold red upholstery. Unlike a hypothetical all-new Chevelle, it was a physical restomod built around an actual old body. The point was to demonstrate a combination of modern Chevrolet Performance hardware and classic American styling.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Race Support Concept

The Colorado Race Support appeared among Chevrolet's 2016 SEMA trucks as an equipment-hauling partner for motorsport events. Rather than converting the pickup into a racing machine, Chevrolet emphasized towing gear, organized cargo access and accessories that could help a small team at the circuit or on the road to the venue. Uprated appearance details, wheels and utility fittings gave the mid-size Colorado a more purposeful stance while preserving everyday usability. The concept was relevant to enthusiasts because logistics often determine whether a race car can be run at all. It served as a rolling support vehicle, not a separate high-output performance-truck derivative.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Hurley Concept

Chevrolet collaborated with surfwear brand Hurley on the Colorado Z71 concept shown at SEMA in 2016. Based on the off-road-oriented mid-size pickup, the truck combined a practical bed with storage solutions for boards, wetsuits and equipment used around the beach. Larger tires, suspension and protective hardware supported travel to remote breaks, while surf-inspired styling and weather-conscious materials identified the intended user. The diesel or gasoline hardware of the showroom Colorado was not replaced by a novel propulsion system. Its engineering story was adapting a conventional four-wheel-drive pickup to a specific lifestyle through cargo packaging, durable accessories and improved access to gear.

2016 Chevrolet COPO Camaro Concept for 2017

Chevrolet unveiled a concept preview of the 2017 COPO Camaro during the 2016 SEMA Show. The drag-racing Camaro was intended for NHRA Stock Eliminator competition, with a supercharged 350-cubic-inch small-block option in the concept presentation. Drag-specific wheels, transmission, safety structures and rear suspension differed fundamentally from the road Camaro, because straight-line launches demanded specialized traction and repeatability. The dramatic Hyper Blue Metallic show car was also associated with a charitable auction. This was not a normal street-legal Camaro ZL1 or an entirely new 2016 production car; it announced the next small batch of factory-supported competition Camaros to be built for the following racing season.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze RS Hatchback Blue Line Concept

At SEMA, Chevrolet gave the new Cruze RS hatchback a Blue Line treatment intended to demonstrate appearance and handling upgrades that might be achieved with factory accessories. The white body was contrasted by slate-blue wheels, tinted window accents and restrained aerodynamic additions. Chevrolet used the RS hatch's compact turbocharged configuration as the basis rather than installing an experimental engine. A lowering kit, modified intake or exhaust elements and interior accents were the sort of components featured in the broader Blue Line program. This was an accessory-focused production derivative, not a wholly new Cruze architecture. Its value was showing how coherent parts combinations could make an inexpensive hatchback look more purposeful.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Blue Line Concept

Chevrolet's Malibu Blue Line joined the Cruze hatchback at SEMA as a restrained customization study. The Genesis White sedan carried slate-blue 18-inch wheels, blacked-out branding and modest exterior aerodynamic pieces. Lowered suspension, a rear diffuser-style treatment and interior pedal or sill detailing were intended to give the ordinary four-door a sportier identity. Beneath the visual package, it retained the basic front-wheel-drive Malibu layout rather than adopting a special motorsport powertrain. The concept demonstrated how accessories could transform a familiar family sedan without sacrificing the body-in-white or replacing expensive core mechanical systems. It was a design and personalization exercise rather than an announcement of a standalone high-performance Malibu model.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Desert Concept

Chevrolet's Silverado 1500 High Desert concept explored a more premium specification for its full-size pickup at SEMA. The show build drew attention to integrated bed storage, an enclosed cargo-management treatment and upscale trim rather than radical suspension travel or race power. Wheel, paint and accessory choices emphasized the truck as a luxury working vehicle, intended to keep tools and personal belongings secure and organized. It was based on the existing Silverado 1500 chassis, with the range's conventional V8 drivetrain architecture. The idea foreshadowed how pickup buyers increasingly valued weatherproof cargo solutions and passenger-car cabin finishes alongside towing and payload capability. It remained a factory exhibition build.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Alaskan Edition Concept

The Silverado 2500HD Alaskan Edition was Chevrolet's snow-service show truck for SEMA 2016. Built on a heavy-duty Silverado platform, it carried an imposing front snowplow, auxiliary equipment and bold visual accents intended for severe winter work. The heavy-duty chassis, all-wheel-drive traction and high-torque diesel powertrain were suited to pushing snow and hauling supplies rather than recreational speed. Larger wheels and purpose-specific mounting hardware reinforced the utilitarian brief. Unlike the fashion-oriented SEMA cars nearby, this truck explored a plausible specialist conversion that could interest municipal fleets, contractors and rural owners. Its show-car details should not be mistaken for a single standardized factory package available everywhere.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Carhartt Concept

Chevrolet and Carhartt collaborated on a Silverado 2500HD concept presented at SEMA to celebrate durable workwear and heavy-duty pickup use. The truck combined a full-size diesel-platform body with Carhartt-inspired upholstery, dark exterior detailing, work-oriented accessories and cargo storage enhancements. Rather than claiming a new engine, the partnership concentrated on hard-wearing cabin materials and everyday practicality for workers who live in their trucks. The styling deliberately connected utility equipment with familiar work-clothing textures and colors. It illustrated how a pickup could become a branded rolling workplace without altering the underlying ladder frame, powertrain configuration or towing-oriented mechanical design.

2016 Chevrolet Trax Activ Concept

Chevrolet unveiled the Trax Activ at SEMA as a more rugged interpretation of its compact all-wheel-drive crossover. The show build raised the suspension slightly, widened the stance and fitted 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Black wheel-arch cladding and a roof cargo basket with auxiliary lighting reinforced the outdoors-oriented appearance. It remained based on the updated production Trax rather than a bespoke off-road chassis with locking axles and low-range gearing. As a result, its capabilities were closer to upgraded soft-roading than rock crawling. The concept showed the packaging and accessory direction Chevrolet could use to attract buyers who wanted a small urban crossover that looked and worked more adventure-ready.

2016 Chrysler Pacifica Cadence Concept

Mopar turned the newly redesigned Chrysler Pacifica into a paddleboarding and family-travel show vehicle for SEMA 2016. The minivan's Stow 'n Go seating and numerous storage spaces formed the basis for an accessory-rich interior, while a roof-mounted board carrier handled a full-size paddleboard. Color-coordinated graphics and large wheels made the white Pacifica visually distinct without hiding the production body's practicality. The drivetrain and front-wheel-drive minivan structure remained conventional. The concept demonstrated that an ordinary family vehicle could be adapted around outdoor hobbies using relatively accessible equipment rather than extravagant engine or body modifications. It was a lifestyle customization, not a separate Chrysler engineering program.

2016 Citroen E-Mehari by Courreges Concept

Citroen worked with French fashion house Courreges to create a pure-white reinterpretation of the E-Mehari electric beach car for the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The four-seat open vehicle retained a lightweight electric layout and Bollore-developed lithium-metal-polymer battery technology, with Citroen quoting around 200 kilometers of urban-cycle range and a 110 km/h maximum speed for the underlying concept. A translucent roof, white leather, sharply geometric trim and restrained orange accents changed the interior experience without altering the vehicle's intended low-speed leisure role. The project was a genuine 2016 fashion-design collaboration, distinct from the original E-Mehari launched the previous year and from a later limited retail edition.

2016 Dodge Durango Shaker Concept

Mopar's Durango Shaker at SEMA 2016 applied the dramatic hood treatment of Dodge muscle cars to the three-row SUV. A working-style Shaker intake rose through a specially adapted hood, while custom exterior trim, wheels and cabin enhancements strengthened the performance theme. The vehicle remained based on the existing V8-powered Durango architecture; the focus was styling, air intake and accessory integration rather than a completely new model. It suggested that buyers of a practical seven-seat SUV might still want the visual language of Dodge's Challenger and Charger performance family. This one-off should not be confused with a factory production Durango Shaker trim released at the show.

2016 Dodge Shakedown Challenger Concept

Mopar's Shakedown Challenger debuted at SEMA 2016 as a modernized 1971 Dodge Challenger body with contemporary performance hardware. The low-slung black coupe carried a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 and six-speed manual transmission, supported by updated suspension, brakes and wheel fitment. Carefully integrated late-model lighting and interior equipment brought modern functionality without disguising the original long-hood proportions. Body modifications were substantial enough to create a distinctly custom machine rather than a cosmetic repaint of a production car. It demonstrated a different branch of Mopar's concept work: recycling authentic muscle-car sheetmetal and combining it with current mechanical systems instead of designing an entirely new platform.

2016 Ford F-150 EraThr3 Concept

Hulst Customs and EraThr3 built a low-slung F-150 SuperCrew concept for the 2016 SEMA Show using Ford's aluminum-bodied pickup as the starting point. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 received a Whipple supercharger, producing a reported 750 hp. A custom four-link rear suspension, air-suspension hardware and very large 26-inch wheels changed the truck's stance and road behavior more substantially than a body kit alone. Bumper covers, hood extraction vents and extensive cabin trim completed the build. The concept was deliberately street-oriented, prioritizing dramatic power and appearance over payload hauling or desert off-road clearance. It was a specialist aftermarket conversion rather than a regular F-150 factory trim.

2016 Ford Fusion Sport Ballistic by Webasto Concept

Webasto and Ford displayed a modified Fusion Sport at SEMA 2016 that combined comfort hardware with tuning for the stock 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6. The sedan retained all-wheel drive, but received a freer-flowing exhaust and electronic boost-response enhancements. Webasto used the car to demonstrate an auxiliary engine and cabin preheater, integrated sunroof and powered cooler, while custom upholstery and 20-inch wheels changed its appearance. The unusual mix of acceleration upgrades and thermal-management equipment distinguished it from a conventional one-purpose show car. It was not a Ford production model called Ballistic; it was an aftermarket collaboration built to display both driving upgrades and passenger amenities.

2016 Ford Mustang Track Attack by VMP Performance Concept

VMP Performance presented its Mustang Fastback Track Attack in Ford's 2016 SEMA display as a supercharged development of the current Mustang GT. A VMP Gen II-R TVS supercharger and supporting calibration pushed the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 into a quoted output region above 800 hp. Adjustable suspension, enhanced brakes and aerodynamic components attempted to keep the aggressive engine tune usable on a circuit. The hood included a viewing window for the supercharger, emphasizing the mechanical centerpiece. This was a tuner-supported exhibition vehicle, not an official Mustang variant with Ford's standard powertrain warranty. Its quoted output reflected the special SEMA build rather than the showroom Mustang GT.

2016 Hyundai ARK Performance Elantra Road Racer Concept

Hyundai and ARK Performance converted the Elantra compact sedan into a wide-bodied road-racing style show car for SEMA. The build combined aggressive wheel-arch extensions, a deep splitter and lightweight wheels with a turbocharged engine tune, modified exhaust and coilover suspension. Larger brakes and anti-roll bars addressed the increase in performance, while the cabin received a sportier wheel and trim. It still used the basic transverse-engine, front-wheel-drive compact-car architecture. The project was valuable as an exercise in making an everyday Elantra mechanically sharper instead of merely dressing it in racing graphics. It was neither a homologated customer racing model nor the later Elantra N production car.

2016 Hyundai Gurnade Veloster Concept

Gurnade transformed a Veloster Turbo for Hyundai's SEMA stand with a substantial wide-body kit, lowered suspension and new intake and exhaust components. A revised intercooler and electronic engine tune supported higher output from the familiar small turbocharged engine, although exact performance depended on the builder's configuration. Large three-piece forged wheels, competition-oriented tires and upgraded brake hardware reinforced the track-inspired appearance. The asymmetrical-door Veloster body remained distinctive despite the more aggressive panels. This was a real modified hatchback rather than a clean-sheet Hyundai concept, and the upgrade strategy focused on the conventional tuning sequence of improved airflow, cooling, chassis control and tire grip.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Rockstar Concept

Rockstar Performance Garage modified a Hyundai Santa Fe for SEMA 2016 with a focus on rough-road ability rather than the outright power pursued by the Santa-Fast. A lifted suspension, larger aggressive tires, protective equipment and roof-mounted accessories gave the crossover a taller, expedition-ready stance. The builder's work emphasized wheel clearance, practical protection and visual toughness while maintaining the recognizable production body. Unlike a body-on-frame pickup, the Santa Fe retained a unibody crossover base, with corresponding limitations on suspension articulation and heavy-duty trail abuse. The show vehicle demonstrated a plausible accessory direction for adventure travel, but it did not create a new off-road platform with a factory low-range transfer case.

2016 Hyundai Santa-Fast by Bisimoto Concept

Bisimoto Engineering built the Santa-Fast for Hyundai's 2016 SEMA program as an extreme conversion of the Santa Fe crossover. Instead of retaining the donor's original front-drive layout, the team fitted a rear-drive powertrain and adapted a 3.8-liter V6 with twin turbochargers. Boost pressures around 39 psi supported a spectacular claimed output of 1,040 hp. The engine was coupled to a manual gearbox, while competition-grade tires, suspension and brakes replaced ordinary family-crossover hardware. Its relatively familiar SUV silhouette concealed an enormous amount of mechanical reworking. Santa-Fast was a one-off demonstration of aftermarket engineering, not evidence Hyundai had prepared a thousand-horsepower Santa Fe for commercial production.

2016 Jeep CJ66 Concept

The Jeep CJ66 was a Mopar SEMA one-off that deliberately combined parts from three Jeep generations. A 1966 CJ-style body sat on a Wrangler TJ frame with selected later JK components, creating a narrow trail machine powered by a modern Mopar V8 crate-engine installation and manual gearbox. Dana 44 axles, a two-inch lift and 35-inch tires provided more substance than the retro paint scheme. Beadlock wheels, rock rails and protective bumpers made the machine suitable for demanding terrain. Its interest came from the engineering work required to blend old sheetmetal, later chassis dimensions and new powertrain hardware into one operating vehicle instead of a purely nostalgic show display.

2016 Jeep Comanche Concept

Jeep resurrected the Comanche name for a 2016 Easter Jeep Safari concept created from a Renegade. Engineers stretched the wheelbase by about six inches and replaced the rear passenger body with a five-foot pickup bed. A 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder, nine-speed automatic and Jeep Active Drive Lock four-wheel-drive system gave it a more practical off-road basis than its small crossover origins might suggest. A two-inch lift, 32-inch tires, winch and protective rails supported trail use. The unique single-cab pickup showed how flexible a compact unibody SUV could be as a specialist utility vehicle, but Jeep did not announce production of a Renegade-based Comanche truck.

2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 Concept

The Crew Chief 715 was Jeep's military-inspired four-door pickup concept for the fiftieth Easter Jeep Safari, borrowing its nose and purposeful stance from the old Kaiser M715. Based on Wrangler Unlimited hardware, it used a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and five-speed automatic transmission. Front and rear Dana 60 axles, a four-inch lift and enormous 40-inch military-style tires gave it legitimate trail hardware. A five-foot cargo bed and open-air cabin combined passenger accommodation with utility, while an onboard air compressor aided tire inflation on rough terrain. The Crew Chief was a functioning custom build rather than a production Jeep pickup and anticipated the company's renewed interest in open-air utility bodies.

2016 Jeep FC 150 Heritage Concept

Jeep's FC 150 Heritage vehicle was unusual even by Easter Jeep Safari standards because it reused the weathered original body of a 1960 forward-control pickup. That vintage steel cabin was fitted over adapted 2005 Wrangler running gear, using a 4.0-liter inline-six and three-speed automatic transmission. Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles, 33-inch tires and revised suspension brought modern trail capability underneath the old cab-forward shape. Keeping the patinated panels emphasized the contrast between historical packaging and newer driveline hardware. It was a customized running tribute, not the launch of a modern factory FC series or an untouched 1960 restoration with purely original mechanical parts.

2016 Jeep Renegade Commander Concept

The Renegade Commander showcased how Mopar and Jeep Performance Parts could give Jeep's smallest 2016 North American crossover a more serious off-road look and improved obstacle clearance. It combined a two-inch lift, skid plates, rock rails and roughly 29.5-inch all-terrain tires with the production Renegade's 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic. The four-wheel-drive Active Drive Low system remained part of the package. Roof-mounted equipment and gray exterior detailing made the build visually distinct. The Commander was more modest than the Safari's Hellcat-powered Trailcat, but it was arguably closer to a realistic modification path for owners of ordinary compact Jeeps.

2016 Jeep Shortcut Concept

Jeep shortened a Wrangler to create the Shortcut, a compact off-road special inspired by the classic CJ-5. Overall length was reduced by about 26 inches, producing notably short overhangs and a tight wheelbase better suited to maneuvering between rocks than a conventional four-door Wrangler. It used the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, five-speed automatic, Dana 44 axles and a two-inch lift over 35-inch all-terrain tires. Low-back plaid-trimmed seats, simple body panels and exposed elements deliberately recreated the visual economy of older Jeeps. The Shortcut was an extensively reconstructed one-off and never a production two-door variant with identical body proportions.

2016 Jeep Trailcat Concept

The Trailcat was Jeep's headline 2016 Moab special, fitting a 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 into an aggressively revised Wrangler body. Engineers stretched the wheelbase about twelve inches to package the engine and drivetrain, lowered the windshield frame and installed a six-speed manual transmission. Dana 60 axles, large 39.5-inch rock-crawling tires and serious off-road suspension made it much more than a stock Wrangler with an oversized engine. The two-door cockpit used lightweight racing-inspired seats, while the body remained recognizably Jeep. It was an experimental showcase for outrageous combustion power and trail hardware, not a showroom Hellcat Wrangler with ordinary emissions and durability certification.

2016 Jeep Trailstorm Concept

Jeep built the Trailstorm for the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari to demonstrate an equipment-heavy expedition package on Wrangler Unlimited foundations. The four-door retained its production-based 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and five-speed automatic, but gained a two-inch suspension lift, 37-inch all-terrain tires, steel bumpers and a winch. Half doors, increased cargo space, camouflage wrapping and a fastback soft-top concept made the vehicle more practical for outdoor use than a radical racing build. Dana 44 axles and upgraded off-road lighting supported technical trails. Trailstorm combined accessories that owners might realistically want into a coordinated vehicle rather than presenting a wholly new Jeep chassis or engine family.

2016 Kia Niro Triathlon Concept

Kia's Niro Triathlon was one of four imaginative SEMA builds exploring lifestyles around a hypothetical future of autonomous mobility. The hybrid crossover had its roof and part of a side pillar removed to improve access to a specialized bicycle storage system, with wide-opening doors, tool compartments and a changing area. A reclining ergonomic passenger seat suggested an athlete could recover between events while the car drove itself. Lowered suspension and wide sport tires supported the radical custom body. Importantly, the autonomous operation was a design premise for the show, not proof the cut-open Niro was a fully validated self-driving road car. It was a packaging and recreation study.

2016 Kia Sedona School of Rock Concept

Kia transformed the Sedona minivan into the School of Rock for SEMA 2016, imagining a vehicle that doubled as a traveling music classroom. The interior was reorganized around instruments, speakers, recording or performance equipment and seating suited to group activities rather than a conventional family configuration. Sliding-door access and the tall cabin made the minivan a logical base for the concept, since occupants could enter and use the space without requiring a large custom bus. Its conventional minivan propulsion hardware was not the story. The design proposed that an autonomous vehicle might one day support learning and entertainment while passengers were freed from the need to drive, an aspiration rather than a production-ready capability.

2016 Kia Sorento Ski Gondola Concept

The Sorento Ski Gondola turned Kia's three-row crossover into a winter-sports transport concept with snow tracks instead of road wheels. A dramatically modified interior added seating arrangements inspired by alpine gondolas and room for skis, equipment and winter clothing. The tracked running gear promised greater contact area on snow than ordinary tires, although performance on steep slopes depended on terrain and careful setup. Kia imagined the vehicle using autonomous control to carry skiers, but the SEMA car was primarily a hand-built themed exhibition piece rather than an officially certified self-driving snowcat. It explored alternative traction, access and cabin packaging around an existing crossover platform.

2016 Kia Soul First Class Concept

Kia's Soul First Class was an intentionally luxurious interpretation of its upright compact hatchback, unveiled with the other autonomous-lifestyle vehicles at SEMA 2016. Designers shifted the cabin's priorities away from driver controls toward rear-seat comfort, screens, premium materials and business-travel functions. The tall, square body gave an efficient amount of interior volume for its external footprint, making it a useful base for imagining a small chauffeured lounge. The concept did not introduce a new powertrain or a validated mass-production autonomous system. Its main question was how owners might use a compact car if automated driving eventually reduced the need to face forward and steer.

2016 Lada Vesta Cross Sedan Concept

AvtoVAZ presented a high-riding Vesta sedan study at the 2016 Moscow International Automobile Salon, adapting its mainstream four-door into a sedan with crossover styling. Raised suspension, protective lower cladding and more rugged wheel-arch treatment were intended for uneven road surfaces without abandoning the enclosed trunk and passenger layout. The familiar transverse-engine front-drive Vesta architecture remained the basis; no innovative electric drivetrain or low-range all-wheel-drive hardware was confirmed for the show car. Unlike the earlier Vesta SW Cross wagon study, the raised sedan was a distinct 2016 display. It explored demand for a more durable-looking passenger car in markets with varied road quality.

2016 Lada Vesta Sport Concept

Lada's Vesta Sport concept at the 2016 Moscow show took the production sedan toward a lower, more aggressive performance direction. The car featured a deeper bumper treatment, side skirts, sport wheels, stronger brakes and suspension changes aimed at better road handling. Under the hood, AvtoVAZ discussed a more powerful tuned gasoline four-cylinder rather than a completely different rear-wheel-drive architecture. The production Vesta Sport followed later with its own finalized output and equipment, so those later figures should not be read as confirmed specifications for the initial 2016 show vehicle. The concept demonstrated how an ordinary affordable sedan could support a credible performance derivative.

2016 Lada XRAY Cross Concept

Lada showed the XRAY Cross in Moscow as a more rugged development of its compact XRAY crossover-style hatchback. Wheel-arch moldings, revised bumpers and added ground clearance contributed to a tougher appearance, while the donor car's simple front-drive mechanical foundation was retained. A taller stance and broader protective trim were more important to the concept than a high-output engine or serious four-wheel-drive transfer system. In the context of Russia's mixed road surfaces, those changes were commercially relevant rather than purely decorative. The showroom XRAY Cross that arrived later featured developed chassis hardware and equipment, but it was not mechanically identical in every detail to the 2016 display.

2016 Lada XRAY Sport Concept

The XRAY Sport appeared alongside Lada's other 2016 Moscow concepts as a lowered, performance-themed version of its tall compact hatchback. Sharper front fascia details, larger wheels, sport suspension and more aggressive cabin trim distinguished it from the ordinary XRAY. AvtoVAZ previewed a powertrain upgrade for the transverse-engine front-wheel-drive layout, but the concept did not introduce a competition homologation program or a full production drivetrain specification. Its intended appeal was to buyers who wanted the upright XRAY body's practicality with quicker responses and a more distinctive appearance. It remained part of the company's showroom range exploration rather than an immediately available high-performance trim.

2016 Mazda MX-5 RF Kuro Concept

Mazda introduced the MX-5 RF Kuro at SEMA 2016 as a dark, road-biased customization of the retractable-fastback MX-5. The car was finished in a special satin-black metallic color and used lightweight RAYS wheels, 215-section BFGoodrich performance tires and adjustable dampers borrowed from the MX-5 Cup racing program. Brembo front brakes added an additional functional upgrade, while the retractable roof and production roadster drivetrain remained essentially unchanged. Kuro illustrated that meaningful chassis improvements could enhance a modestly powered sports car without major engine tuning. It was different from the earlier open Speedster project, which concentrated more aggressively on mass reduction.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Speedster Evolution Concept

Mazda revisited its 2015 MX-5 Speedster idea at SEMA 2016 with the lighter Speedster Evolution. The windshield-free, open roadster retained the MX-5's front-engined rear-drive layout but removed more than 100 pounds beyond the previous lightweight show build. Mazda quoted a curb mass below 2,000 pounds, roughly 350 pounds less than a standard soft-top MX-5. Lightweight wheels, race-oriented adjustable suspension, a carbon-fiber aerodynamic kit and minimal interior equipment supported the reduced-weight brief. The revised project demonstrated that weight reduction affects braking, steering and tire loading everywhere on a lap, not just straight-line acceleration. It was a newly modified 2016 version, not the unchanged 2015 debut.

2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Extreme Concept

Mercedes-Benz collaborated with Renntech on the Sprinter Extreme for the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, transforming a Sprinter cab-chassis into an eye-catching vocational truck. A dramatically raised dump-style body, off-road-looking tires, auxiliary lighting and bold green paint exaggerated its heavy-duty purpose. The base Sprinter's diesel commercial-vehicle platform remained central, offering published payload capability exceeding 6,000 pounds in its underlying chassis form. The concept demonstrated the modularity of commercial cab-chassis vehicles, whose rear bodies can be adapted for different jobs without redesigning the cab or engine. It was a display of specialist upfitting, not a new high-performance Mercedes SUV or a regular catalog configuration.

2016 Mitsubishi ASX Geoseek Concept

Mitsubishi's ASX Geoseek appeared at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show as an adventure-oriented styling and accessory exercise based on its familiar compact crossover. Bright orange accents, dark protective cladding, additional auxiliary lighting and roof-mounted carrying equipment transformed an otherwise practical everyday car into a more conspicuous outdoors vehicle. The company retained the compact ASX mechanical architecture rather than claiming a new dedicated off-road chassis or a radically different engine. Its most practical ideas concerned carrying equipment and surviving dirt or rough roads with less cosmetic damage. The ASX was paired with a similarly themed L200 pickup, but the two show cars served different roles within the same outdoor-lifestyle brief.

2016 Mitsubishi L200 Geoseek Concept

The L200 Geoseek was Mitsubishi's pickup counterpart to its ASX Geoseek show car at Geneva 2016. Based on the existing L200 truck, it used orange exterior details, special graphics, roof-mounted lighting and durable-looking accessories to emphasize camping and work in remote terrain. A pickup bed made the practical case for equipment transport clearer than on the smaller ASX. The underlying ladder frame, diesel-powertrain options and utility-truck geometry stayed recognizable, so it should not be described as a new electric or hybrid concept. Mitsubishi's engineering idea was not a dramatic increase in peak output; it was a coordinated package of cargo access, protective design and off-road-ready visual details.

2016 Nissan Murano Winter Warrior Concept

Nissan converted the Murano crossover into one of its three Winter Warrior show vehicles for the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. Four American Track Truck Dominator track units replaced its wheels, while the suspension and body openings were modified to accommodate the unusually large assemblies. The factory engine, Xtronic transmission and much of the all-wheel-drive hardware remained standard. Red-chrome wrapping and a roof-equipment package visually linked the Murano to the similarly treated Rogue and Pathfinder. The tracks spread the vehicle's mass across a greater contact area on snow, but imposed very different steering and rolling-resistance demands than normal tires. It was a genuine snow-capable conversion rather than a showroom model.

2016 Nissan Pathfinder Winter Warrior Concept

The three-row Pathfinder Winter Warrior was another Nissan Chicago show special fitted with four heavy-duty snow-track systems. Track assemblies measuring approximately 48 inches long by 30 inches tall replaced the regular wheels, requiring body-clearance and suspension revisions but leaving the standard V6 engine and CVT-based drivetrain largely unchanged. The Pathfinder's larger body made it the most passenger- and equipment-oriented member of the trio. Matching red-chrome graphics, roof storage and winter accessories gave the vehicles a common identity. The concept was designed for demonstrations in deep snow, not for driving on normal pavement at highway speeds or for routine dealer sales alongside standard Pathfinder trims.

2016 Nissan Qashqai Premium Concept

Nissan Design Europe presented the Qashqai Premium Concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show to explore more upmarket styling and materials for its best-selling crossover. Carbon-fiber details, larger wheels and carefully coordinated trim gave the existing Qashqai a more sophisticated appearance without changing its fundamental front-engined SUV package. Nissan also used the show to discuss its planned Piloted Drive driver-assistance technology, but the display should not be treated as a fully unrestricted autonomous vehicle. The technical story was the possibility of enhancing cabin experience and convenience within an established high-volume platform. It formed a coordinated pair with the separately designed X-Trail Premium Concept.

2016 Nissan Rogue Winter Warrior Concept

The Rogue Winter Warrior brought a smaller Nissan crossover into the same tracked-snow-vehicle program as the Murano and Pathfinder. Instead of fitting oversized off-road tires, Nissan installed four Dominator track units and modified the wheel wells and suspension to provide clearance. A matte red-chrome wrap, roof accessories and outdoor equipment completed the appearance. The underlying Rogue engine and Xtronic transmission remained substantially stock, demonstrating that severe-weather traction could be altered by modifying the ground-contact system without replacing every powertrain component. The tracks were specialized equipment, not a production Rogue drivetrain option. The 2016 version appeared in Canada and in Nissan's later Chicago trio.

2016 Nissan X-Trail Premium Concept

Nissan's Global Design Centre in Japan developed the X-Trail Premium Concept as a companion to the London-designed Qashqai Premium for Geneva 2016. Carbon-fiber elements, larger wheels, refined interior materials and a more luxurious exterior finish changed the look of the rugged family SUV without requiring an entirely new platform. The X-Trail's taller cabin and outdoor identity gave the premium treatment a slightly more adventure-oriented emphasis than the urban Qashqai interpretation. Nissan did not unveil a new electric powertrain or bespoke all-wheel-drive system with the concept. It was a realistic exploration of materials, styling and potential personalization above the existing crossover mechanical specification.

2016 Ram Macho Power Wagon Concept

Mopar's Macho Power Wagon at the 2016 SEMA Show drew on the bold graphics and off-road reputation of classic Dodge Power Wagons. Based on a modern heavy-duty Ram 2500 Power Wagon, it carried a two-tone paint scheme, protective hardware and an innovative sliding RamRack storage system intended for hauling outdoor equipment. The existing heavy-duty four-wheel-drive layout, locking differential capability and off-road suspension underpinned the build. The show car emphasized practical cargo versatility rather than a dramatic engine upgrade. It previewed ideas for owners who need their truck to switch between serious trail work and carrying camping or sporting equipment, without pretending to be an entirely new vehicle architecture.

2016 Ram ProMaster Pit Stop Concept

The ProMaster Pit Stop concept gave Mopar an unusually large canvas at SEMA 2016. Instead of disguising its commercial van proportions, the build used them for an organized mobile event or workshop setting, with specialized cargo equipment, accessories and a distinctive two-tone exterior. The ProMaster's high-roof, front-wheel-drive cargo-van configuration was useful because it provided substantial interior volume with a relatively low load floor. Added lights, interior organizers and materials were the main developments; the underlying 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 commercial drivetrain remained familiar. The project was an illustration of upfitter potential for trades and events, not a proposed performance version of a large van.

2016 Renault Kwid Climber Concept

Renault developed the Kwid Climber for the 2016 Auto Expo in India as a tougher-looking interpretation of its affordable entry-level hatchback. Enlarged lower cladding, pronounced bumpers, bright color accents and more aggressive tires emphasized rough-road confidence. The standard Kwid's inexpensive small-car architecture remained the basis, so the concept did not feature serious four-wheel-drive gear reduction or a newly engineered ladder frame. A raised-looking stance and protective details made sense for congested cities and uneven local roads. The Climber previewed a style and accessory direction later explored in production, but the concept's exact visual and mechanical package was not an off-the-shelf 2016 trim.

2016 Renault Kwid Racer Concept

Renault presented the Kwid Racer beside the Climber in New Delhi in 2016 to show a completely different side of the same compact, inexpensive hatchback. The Racer adopted a dramatically lowered stance, large wheels, front and rear aerodynamic pieces and bright motorsport-inspired graphics. Its stripped cabin featured a roll cage, bucket seats, harnesses and telemetry-style displays, while the chassis concept emphasized sharper handling and stronger braking. Renault did not publish a full verified racing engine specification or homologate the car for a championship. It was a plausible packaging and styling exercise illustrating what a dedicated small-car competition conversion might look like, not a race car that customers could buy that year.

2016 Skoda Atero Student Concept

Skoda's Atero was a real one-off coupe designed and built by students at the company's vocational academy in 2016. A production Rapid Spaceback supplied the body-in-white and mechanical foundation, but extensive cutting and replacement panels created a lower-looking two-door profile. The project included 18-inch wheels, bright red accents and a substantial 1,800-watt audio installation. The engine and front-wheel-drive configuration remained relatively conventional, making the body reconstruction and electrical installation the principal engineering challenges. Atero continued Skoda's annual student-car program and demonstrated practical fabrication skills. It was never announced as a production coupe to sit alongside the Rapid hatchback.

2016 Toyota Noah G's Concept

Toyota displayed the Noah G's at Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 as a performance-styled interpretation of its tall Japanese domestic-market minivan. Revised bumpers, wheels, suspension and cabin details aimed to improve driving feel without compromising the vehicle's compact exterior dimensions and useful three-row package. Unlike a purpose-built sports coupe, the Noah retained a high roof and front-drive family-van engineering, so any handling improvement had to account for the higher center of gravity and passenger load. The concept formed part of Toyota's effort to bring its G's sporting identity to ordinary transport, not to replace the underlying small minivan with a clean-sheet racing chassis.

2016 Toyota S-FR Racing Concept

Toyota revealed the S-FR Racing Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2016, developing the compact front-engine, rear-drive S-FR first shown in 2015 into a track-oriented design. Flared fenders, hood extraction vents, carbon-fiber-reinforced aerodynamic pieces and a much larger rear wing transformed its friendly face into an aggressive racing silhouette. The body was quoted at 4,100 millimeters long, 1,735 millimeters wide and 1,270 millimeters high, with a 2,480-millimeter wheelbase. Toyota did not publish final engine output or competition homologation, so it should not be treated as an officially raced GT4 car. The 2016 body study was a distinct derivative of the earlier original S-FR.

2016 Toyota Voxy G's Concept

Toyota's Voxy G's Concept appeared alongside the related Noah G's at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon, demonstrating how the manufacturer might give a compact minivan more engaging road manners. Firmer chassis tuning, revised wheel and tire fitment, distinctive aerodynamic trim and more sporting interior materials differentiated it from a normal Voxy. The conventional high-roof, multi-seat body and basic transverse-engine platform remained intact, preserving family practicality rather than sacrificing it for a low sports-car silhouette. This was a dedicated 2016 exhibition derivative of a production model, with final retail equipment and chassis calibration subject to later changes. Its interest lay in making a practical people carrier feel less anonymous.

2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Heartbeat Concept

Volkswagen apprentices created the Golf GTI Heartbeat for the 2016 Worthersee enthusiast gathering to mark forty years of the GTI. The Mk7-based hatchback received an uprated 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing a quoted 400 metric horsepower, substantial custom audio equipment and a distinctive two-tone exterior treatment. Student teams handled integration of electrical systems, trim and powertrain modifications under factory supervision. Unlike a routine anniversary badge package, Heartbeat demonstrated the engineering and workmanship of a training program. Its 400-PS output and custom accessories were specific to the one-off concept, not an announcement that every Golf GTI anniversary model had received a factory upgrade to that figure.