1980 Audi Quattro
What makes the 1980 Audi Quattro so special? Simple — it transformed the rally racing scene forever. With its all-wheel drive setup, this beast dominated the circuit. The other cars, which had rear-wheel drive layouts, just couldn't compete. So they soon followed the Quattro's lead.
Ford Model T
Arguably the most important vehicle ever created, the Ford Model T changed the game back in 1908. Thanks to its low price, more people started to take to the road — and sales reflected that. 15 million Model Ts were shifted up until 1927. Impressive stuff, right? Pretty much everything about this car was ahead of its time. And as we'll soon find out, it's in good company...
Chrysler Airflow
Was the Chrysler Airflow a runaway success upon its release in 1934? Not quite! But don't let that fool you, folks. This car went on to be hugely influential thanks to its groundbreaking aerodynamic design. More motors started to mirror its look going forward. That's quite a legacy, wouldn't you agree?
Peugeot 401 Eclipse
Do we have any fans of the Peugeot 401 Eclipse in the house? We thought so — it's such a cool vehicle! This suave motor broke a bunch of boundaries back in 1935. It was the first-ever production car to have a retractable hard-top roof, which ran on an electric system. To call it a pioneer feels like an understatement.
1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL
Is the 1954 Mercedes Benz 300 SL the first real example of a supercar? It's got a strong case! But that isn't why it's on this list. The car had a Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection under the hood — a feature that no other production vehicle offered at that time.
1955 Citroen DS
Are you a fan of the 1955 Citroen DS? We don't blame you. This thing was a proper game-changer back in the day. It was equipped with disc brakes, directional headlights, and a complex hydropneumatic suspension system long before any other production vehicle. Its futuristic look deserves a shout-out, too!
1966 Jensen Interceptor FF
The 1966 Jensen Interceptor FF was a very special motor, folks. It already pushed the envelope with its traction control and anti-lock brakes at the time of its release. But the car's all-wheel drive setup was the biggest selling point. No other non all-terrain production vehicle could offer that. A trailblazer? You bet!
1966 Lamborghini Miura
Finding it tough to take your eyes off the 1966 Lamborghini Miura? You're not alone! This motor turned so many heads when it first hit the road. With its mid-engine design, it paved the way for supercar layouts going forward. Is our next entry just as impactful? Let's find out...
1970 Range Rover
Would the luxury SUV sector exist without the 1970 Range Rover? That's hard to say. But make no mistake — this vehicle played a massive role in opening up the market. BMW, Rolls-Royce, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, and so many more followed the Range Rover's lead. To call it important doesn't quite cut it!
1999 Honda Insight
The 1999 Honda Insight is such an interesting car to look at. Its unique design demands your attention! But why was it ahead of its time? Simple — it was the first mass-produced hybrid motor in America upon its release. That's one to remember for your next automobile quiz night, folks.
Electrobat
Here's a question for you. Did you know that electric vehicles were knocking about in the late-19th century? No? Well, you're not the only ones! The Electrobat made its bow in 1894, boasting an impressive range of 25 miles. Due to a lack of funds, though, it didn't take off. Imagine where we'd be if it did...
Aston Martin Lagonda
The second-generation Aston Martin Lagonda was incredibly advanced for its time. Alongside its iconic wedge body, this car had touch controls and plasma screens on its dashboard. Now that's a pretty standard offering today, but in the 1970s? No way! Folks were left stunned by the futuristic setup.
Tucker 48
Only 50 Tucker 48s were built at the end of the 1940s. And that's such a shame — it would've been incredibly cool if it got mass-produced. You see, this car had a bunch of inventive features. The disc brakes, independent suspension, and moving headlamp are a few examples.
GM EV1
Ah, the GM EV1. Tesla has a lot to thank this vehicle for! It led the electric car charge back in the 1990s, paving the way for all that followed. The motor itself wasn't bad for the time, either. A range of up to 100 miles? Nice. How does our next entry compare?
Rover Streetwise
Compact crossovers aren't hard to find nowadays. But back in 2003? It was a very different story. The Rover Streetwise was one of the earliest examples, pretty much standing alone. It took years for the market to catch up. Rover was gone by the time that the Streetwise would've been lauded, though!
BMW I3
An inventive lightweight carbon fiber body? Check. An optional range extender? Check. Advanced features? Absolutely! Yep, the BMW i3 was ahead of its time in several different ways. But the car didn't click with everyone. Its unique design was a major sticking point for lots of people. What a bummer.
AMC Eagle
At a glance, you'd never know that the AMC Eagle was a trailblazer. But it fits that description, folks! It was one of the first crossover SUVs on the American market, offering a four-wheel drive setup. Whatever the conditions, this thing always provided a comfortable ride for passengers.
Chrysler Turbine Car
Without wishing to sound harsh, the Chrysler Turbine Car might be the craziest vehicle ever built. A turbine engine that pretty much runs on anything? That's a fantasy, right! It was very real, though. Tequila, peanut oil, and perfume could all power this wild creation from the '60s.
Citroen Traction Avant
Visually, the Citroen Traction Avant was absolutely mesmerizing. Its aerodynamic body? The low center of gravity? Wow. But what really pushed this car over the top was its front-wheel drive setup. The Traction Avant was the first mass-produced motor to utilize it. And it arguably perfected the system.
GM LeSabre Concept Car
Concept cars have been standard fare for decades now. But back in 1951, the idea was still pretty alien to most people. So that brings us to the GM LeSabre. This bizarre vehicle was one of the earliest examples of a concept car, boasting huge proportions and tons of chrome.
Lamborghini LM002
Are you a big fan of high-performance SUVs? If so, you're sure to appreciate the Lamborghini LM002. This was one of the first examples to roll out. And boy, was it special! Rocking the same V12 engine found inside the Countach, it had serious speed on the road.
Lancia Megagamma
MPVs really found their groove in 1984 following the release of the Renault Espace and the Chrysler Minivan. But the concept itself was first born years earlier in 1978 through the creation of the Lancia Megagamma. To say it was ahead of its time doesn't do it justice, folks!
NSU Ro80
We continue to be fascinated by the NSU Ro80. On looks alone, it seems like a car from the '70s or '80s — it just fits that particular aesthetic. But it came out much earlier than that. 1967? Who'd have guessed! That's some real forward-thinking from NSU's design team.
Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek found itself in a similar position to the Rover Streetwise when it first came out. As a crossover, it was on something of an island back then, drawing plenty of ridicule. If it released just a few years later, who knows what might've happened. Would it still be the constant brunt of cruel jokes?
Porsche 959
The 1980s was an exciting time for supercar enthusiasts — and a lot of that could be attributed to the Porsche 959. This beautiful vehicle gave folks a tantalizing look at the future. Its aerodynamic body, all-wheel drive setup, and tremendous performances raised the bar.
Studebaker Avanti
Does the Studebaker Avanti deserve its flowers today? Without question! It was one of the great innovators of the 1960s, rocking advanced front-disc brakes and roll bars. And that fiberglass body? Oh man. Even now, it feels pretty futuristic. Speaking of futuristic, that brings us on to our next entry...
DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean DMC-12 was truly ahead of its time when it rolled out in the 1980s. And that feeling was further cemented following its pivotal role in the Back to the Future movies! Everything about it just screamed futuristic, from the stainless steel body to the gullwing doors.
2002 Volkswagen Phaeton
When it comes to the 2002 Volkswagen Phaeton, looks can be very deceiving. At first glance, you wouldn't guess that this car was ahead of its time, right? It was, though! The Phaeton's on-board tech blew everyone away, with its advanced climate control system standing out.
2012 Tesla Model S
An undeniable pioneer for the EV segment, the 2012 Tesla Model S really did change the game. It showed what electric cars were truly capable of in modern times, building off the legacy of past efforts. The automobile market hasn't been the same since...
AMC Pacer
The AMC Pacer gets a lot of flack for its appearance. And it's easy to understand why! But that doesn't change the fact that it's still something of a pioneer. This vehicle did so much for the roomy compact car segment.
Subaru SVX
It's probably fair to say that folks didn't know what to make of the Subaru SVX back in the '90s. The unique exterior? The window-within-a-window setup? It was unlike any other sports coupe on the market. But time has been kind here. Motorists have a greater appreciation for the car's bold appearance today.
Mazda RX-7 (FD)
The Mazda RX-7 (FD) was a tad unconventional when it released in the 1990s. Its lightweight chassis, twin-turbocharged rotary engine, and complex suspension system raised plenty of eyebrows! Yet it paid off. This is one of the finest sports cars of that era.
Lamborghini Countach
Did the Lamborghini Countach change the sports car landscape in the 1970s? Certainly! Its famous wedge design was adopted by a bunch of other models — whether they did it as well is up for debate. You can't always beat the original, folks.
2014 BMW I8
Hands up if you love the 2014 BMW i8. You'll be in good company! This motor was quite the trailblazer for plug-in hybrid sports cars. It pushed the system to the limit, resulting in some stunning performances. That's one way to change perceptions, right?
1990 Honda NSX
Were supercars ever the same after the release of the 1990 Honda NSX? Probably not! Thanks to its lightweight body, this motor was able to produce more agile performances than its heavier competition. The differences were stark — so stark, in fact, that other cars tried to mirror the NSX going forward.
Through: ModelTMitch / Wikimedia Commons