Remember when concept cars were cool, futuristic machines?

I guess those days are gone

It looks like a chrome sanding block.

I didn’t think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. – Bart Simpson

That thing is proof positive of the conspiracy between the automotive industry and the oil industry to stifle the development of alternative fuel vehicles.

I’m still trying to figure out how making concept cars are anything more than the cars little boys drew in school. Very few make it out of production. I give a crap if they make an attractive, reliable, safe, fuel efficient car. Not if they just think about it.

Well the first question that I usually ask of a concept car is “does it fly?” But the idea of a flying Ford SUV doesn’t say “futuristic” quite so much as “potential basis for a horrible children’s movie starring Eddie Murphy.” So I’ll move on to my second concept car question, “is it nuclear-powered?” I note optimistically that the Airstream is hydrogen-fueled, and hydrogen does have applications in fusion research. So it’s a step in the right direction anyway.

The thing that boggles my mind is that, impossibly, they somehow neglected to display the Ford Airstream actually pulling an Airstream trailer. What a wasted opportunity that was.

I did enjoy the note that, to honor its Silver Bullet ancestors, the new Ford Airstream’s detailing sports twelve “ceremonial rivets.” The idea conjures up images of auto workers in ornate robes, placing each rivet while solemnly intoning occult necromantic invocations.

Hell, now I want one of them Airstreams, if only to brag about the factory-direct necromancy. On the other hand, I kind of pity the innumerable birds that are going to beat themselves to death fighting with their reflections in the fenders. But perhaps their stolen life force helps feed the soul-hungry ceremonial rivets.

It does look futuristic – in that 1950s “peek into the future” sort of way.

In other words, it’s ugly as sin. Besides its ungainly shape and the smack of shiny mouth grilles, that red window trim really adds that touch of “Dear God, what the hell is it and how do we kill it?” to the package. And it’s a minivan! I think they must have been aiming at the seismically-negative-fashion-sense-soccer moms and hockey dads.

(Apparently) poor side visibility… dull mirror finish… if it weren’t for the hideous afterthought of neon red window trim, you’d think they were trying to get their prototype t-boned at an intersection.

I agree with Muffin - it’s a conspiracy to prevent automakers from having to innovate. “Well we innovated the shit out of that last one and nobody wanted it, so that means everyone likes buying 89 octane!” :rolleyes: It’s like if McDonald’s new no-fat/no-salt experimental combo was a large fries with gravy, a triple-patty melt with special sauce, all with a mandatory coating of puréed sprouts.

OMG check out the inside :eek: :eek: :eek:

The hideous, hideous continuation of red… the gawd-awful seating arrangement… the cameras-instead-of-mirrors-cause-it’s-kewl… the… thing in the back seat!!! I thought when they said ‘lava lamp’ they meant some type of screen-saver for the rear-passenger screens.

But no.

It’s a 2’+ lava lamp.

This kinds of things are what concept cars are good for. Not because they’re kewl, but because they could have useful functions. Towing a trailer which blocks your wing mirrors? Either cross your fingers, fit some awkward mirror extension…or maybe have your car display the input from cameras on the trailer?

Forget judging the thing by aesthetics. The Audi TT and new Beetle both look stupid, IMO, but made it from concept to production.

Great Og.

It’s like 1968 got revoltingly drunk and power-spewed bad fashion all over the inside of a commercial refrigerator.

:dubious:

Yup those damn sneaky oil companies. Conspiring with Ford to build a prototype car that does not use hydrocarbon fuel. As I understand it this vehicle represents their secret plan
Step 1 Build cars that don’t use hydrocarbon fuel
Step 2 *
Step 3 Profit! And world domination.
*I’m having a problem figuring out just how step 2 works.

Am I the only one that feels carsick looking at the seating configuration? Even in less retina-searing colors, I’d still be puking once the car started moving, unless I was driving. I cannot ride sideways or backwards in a moving vehicle, since I become violently ill. On the other hand, this car makes the Pontiac Aztek look cute.

What’s that cylinder in the middle of the back? (At least I think it’s the back…) A Mr. Fusion?

Ze goggles, they do nothing against all that red. Everything else appears to be “by wire” so why does it have a steering column?

I think the point was that they made the alternative-fuel vehicle so odd-looking that no one would want to buy it. So I’m guessing Step 2 would be, “Gleefully watch the public’s desire for non-hydrocarbon fueled vehicles wither on the vine.”

Baby, you can fly my car.

Or drive my plane. Or something.

The point here being, the car is so hideous, no one will use it, thus… “stifling the development of alternative fuel vehicles.”

Dammit! Beaten to the punch!

This is what Austin Powers would drive if he teamed up with the Scooby Gang.

…while guest starring on the Jetsons.

It would boggle my mind if it were somehow capable of pulling an Airstream trailer. I somehow just doubt it has the horsepower.