Keep drooling: you can't buy these high-tech concept cars...yet. Instead, view their frills as stepping-stones to the flying-car future.
In terms of “multiple places we could hide a gerbil”, we give this car nine out of ten.
ALFA ROMEO 4C
A carbon-fiber body means that, in car terms, this compact concept is light enough to be measured in Olsen twins. The upshot of this auto-motive anorexia: The 4C can go 0–62 in under five seconds despite a relatively small four-cylinder,
Crazy rating: 2. This two-seater is no unicorn—it’s slated to go on sale in 2012.
If this ever actually goes on sale, we’ll eat our hat (we wear chocolate hats a lot at Maxim).
BMW VISION CONNECTEDDRIVE
A 3D heads-up display makes driving this Beamer feel like a video game. It uses augmented reality to layer route info right onto the road. The KITT-like car is even loaded with sensors that scan for danger and obstacles, making it easy to steer clear.
Crazy rating: 7. In the short term you’re more likely to catch a ride on a dragon.
So there is a Transformer worse than Perceptor!
More kart than car, this two-wheeled electric people-mover is basically an overgrown Segway, literally—it uses a Segway’s gyroscopic sensors to stay steady. A submarine-like sonar system detects obstacles and hits the brakes.
Crazy rating: 9. On the plus side, whoever drives this tiny transporter is obviously trying to compensate for absolutely nothing.