Top 10 Disappointments - Concept to Production

Of course, the real reason for us to do the Top 10 Best, is to polarize the Top 10 Disappointments (Or FAIL for that matter). What makes up this list has nothing to do with whether the cars perform good or bad, in fact a handful from this list are wonderful cars in itself, but its the very notion of cost cutting, material choice, headroom/legroom considerations; wowing us with concepts that looked so great and then putting into production, loosing those sexy curves and out of this world styling, is what makes up this list. In short, heads over hearts got them this award, in a raspberry manner.

Chevrolet Volt Concept 2007 to Chevrolet Volt 2008

When news of the Volt Concept break cover, its outlandish design and concept won hearts of many, then when the Volt was finally unveiled, it looked rather like a Toyota Prius with an extra dosage of male hormone, GM even gave an excuse that its due aerodynamic coefficient drags, a claim which was completely busted when its CD figures were even worst than that of the new Audi A4.



Hyundai Genesis Concept 2007 to Hyundai Genesis 2008

Make no mistake, the Hyundai Genesis is a brilliant car, as quiet as a Lexus, handles as well (almost) as a 5 Series, larger than the A6,and as affordable as a 3 series. When the concept was unveiled, its very original, with a distinctive bonnet bulge (or cleavage) that proudly glorifies the Hyundai logo underneath, it's everything what smart Koreans have been learning for half a century, and putting it all into this dynamic package is in itself a wonderful move. However, the end product looks more like a Lexus LS than anything else, they've even decided that their logo is a humiliating one to ride on its grills. To add, since it's so affordable, what's wrong tucking in those futuristic looking LED headlamps for a few bucks in exchange for extra PR?



Jaguar C-XF Concept 2007 to Jaguar XF 2008

I guessed you've all expected this Jag to come onto this list. From a company that almost broke record as the longest car maker in losses yet still operating, the 18 year lost seems to have blundered their Jaguaric courage when they put into production of what seems like Jaguar's most important concept in the last 30 years, and then decided they should cut the balls off the angry Jaguar, and created one with rather sexy, curvy female cat. The incapability of making up their minds is especially prominent in the front end headlight treatments, rendering the 'eyes' of the pouncing cat looking like it has stumbled upon a Sabre Tooth Tiger - in all teary eyed sorriness.



Mitsubishi Concept X 2005 to Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X 2008

Unveiled in 2005, the Concept X have long been designated the design direction where next generation Lancers will take, although they've remained all important styling details of the original concept, deviations of little by little rendered an extremely good looking concept into one angry bland looking disproportionate 4 door road stormer. Of course like a lady, the better the car performs, the better it'll look, and we understand this in its entirety, still, its a vast disappointment seeing the Evo X on the flesh. Of course it won't be, if you're driving one.



Nissan Sports Concept 2005 to Nissan Versa/Latio 2007

This car, is the single perfect testament of why this list exists. Catching a glimpse of the Sports Concept in 2005 left everyone dreaming for the next Japan street racer. It's beautiful proportions is a 'hard-to-find' in recent bloat up Japanese passenger cars and it came like a breath of fresh air, and then when the Latio/Versa was unveiled, its as if an unwieldy abomination of a Vanette crashing into the remains of the Sports Concept, vastly out of proportion and downright ugly in its formation.



Peugeot 308 RC Z Concept 2007 to Peugeot 308CC 2008

We didn't held much hope with us when we saw this beautiful 308 RC Z Concept back in 2007, as Peugeot is the most notorious manufacturer of churning out wonderful, crazy, egomaniac concepts year on year, from moon buggies to every inconceivable four wheel machines you could think of. However almost 99% of them never see light into production. What makes us even start feeling disappointing then? The very notion of understanding how easy they could create this given that the 308 was due, and words of a 308CC will came about, of course we could forego the hood breasts shown on the concept, but not another slightly larger 207CC that looks like a 'Add-one-dollar-for-Large-McValue-Meal' approach to it.



Peugeot 407 Elixir Concept 2003 to Peugeot 407 Evente 2004

The 407 SW or Evente are by no means an ugly car, and its spacious, functional and seats 5 comfortably. However when we start remembering just what potential the fastback Elixir Concept could've done for Peugeot, extra publicity, creating a whole new segment and showing off what French originality could do as opposed trying to fight off the Germans in their home turf of mid size sedans and station wagons; we'd just have to give credit to the Elixir and some bashing to the Evente, and Peugeot. They might not realize reduced rear headroom could've contribute to higher selling price and wonderful sales figures (Note Mercedes CLS)



Renault Laguna Coupe Concept 2007 to Renault Laguna Coupe 2008

It stunned us, it showed us what Renault could design, amidst their quirky sales flop creations, they vowed to produce the Laguna Coupe, and we thought with their courageous track records of the Avantime, the Laguna Coupe would see light in its original form. However, once it went into production, the profile, proportions were all lost in transition, the sleek, futuristic looking Laguna Coupe Concept turned into just another bland coupe. Sometimes cowardly designs won't bring big sales success we'd reckon.



Suzuki Concept S 2002 to Suzuki Swift 2004

Another wonderful car ended up on this list, while the production Swift actually looks quite good, its no where near the original concept's futuristic proportions, and too much can seen as a means of profiteering from the production, if you readers still can't accept what we're arguing here, (we know, the Swift is a brilliant car) take a look at how KIA realizes the concept Soul to production without sacrificing the design's originality.



Subaru B5 TPH Concept 2005 to Subaru Impreza 2008

Now this is a rather unique entry into this list. We know no one loves the new Subaru Impreza, and the utter disappointment of Scooby fans can be felt by everyone in the industry. But where did the culprit came from? Which concept did they took those so-called 'ideas' from? It's this B5-TPH (aptly-unknowingly-for-no-reason-at-all-to-be-name-like-this) that Subaru created in 2005, thinking they could somehow design a comfort run-about vehicle, sell to everyone, then tug in Subaru's wonderful boxer engine and sell it as a rally car as well. Hence, this is the concept car that destroys the Subaru Impreza, and not only so, the concept's rear was so un-production-worthy that Subaru designers have to quickly get one out (in 5 minutes we reckon) and ended up with what perhaps could be the most disappointing car ever.