The car concepts that failed - and the few that didn’t

Ideas can sometimes sound good on paper, but fall a bit short when put into practice, and car concepts are no exception to this phenomenon. Some cars just don’t quite make the grade when it comes to being a useful product that everyone can get behind. In other instances though, car manufacturers have hit a resounding home run with car concepts that they might not have expected to!

So, here at Intack Self Drive, we’re taking a look back at some of the car concepts that maybe should’ve remained on the drawing board, and on the other side, a few that have proved to be truly fantastic purchases for their buyers in the years since their initial release.

Fail - The Ford Th!nk

Frankly, this is an idea that should never have gone to market if we’re being honest. The Th!nk was originally pitched as the all-electric city cars that would blaze a trail into the new age of eco-friendly vehicles. However, the car didn’t quite live up to the hype. The Th!nk Neighbour was unfavourably compared to “a glorified golf cart” by journalists, and this made it very difficult to take it into serious consideration when compared to other leading brand’s electric vehicles.

Ford followed up this flop with the Th!nk City, which offered a measly driving range of 50 miles per charge, which wasn’t quite enough to get buyers queuing out of dealerships for the car. In hindsight, it’s fair to say Ford should probably have put a bit more thought into its Th!nk range.

Success - Fiat 500

On the other end of the small, city car spectrum, we have the Fiat 500. The instantly recognisable shape and funky colours of the 500 made it a welcome addition to British roads. Retaining all of its Italian flair, the Fiat 500 now has even more appeal with updated on-board tech that leaves all its closest rivals behind. It’s the perfect choice for squeezing into narrow parking spaces, and is incredibly useful in built-up cities. Here at Intack Self Drive, we offer this little Italian beauty at a very competitive £14.14 per day. So if you need to rent some stylish wheels for a city excursion, you’re in exactly the right place.

Fail - Pontiac Aztek

Back in the day, most car companies were only offering truck based utility vehicles that focused on off-road capabilities, so the idea of a more street-friendly crossover was an interesting proposition that Pontiac thought would bring in the big bucks. Initial predictions were positive before the release of the Aztec, but upon release, people’s jaws hit the floor at the site of the finished Aztec, and not in good way…

Simply put - the Aztek has been called the ugliest car ever made by a wide variety of journalists and car enthusiasts alike. However, it was given its time to shine when it featured as the vehicle of choice for meth making science teacher, Walter White in the Breaking Bad series. This endowed a sort of cult status on the Aztec, but show creator Vince Gilligan has since come out to explain that the reason he picked the Aztek as the choice of vehicle for Mr. White, was because it made him look “somewhat pathetic”. Ouch.

Success - Volkswagen Kombi

The Volkswagen Kombi has proved itself to be a worthy ally for both tradesman and large families alike. The Transporter Kombi boasts ample room for up to six people as well as a generous load compartment. The resilient upholstery is perfectly designed for heavy daily use and the sound-absorbing rubber flooring in the passenger compartment is great for storing noisy toolboxes. All of these features make the Kombi the perfect choice for anyone looking for a spacious van, with plenty of room for crew and equipment. Best of all, we can provide you with fantastic deals on Daily hire, as well as Flexi hire services on both five and six seater Volkswagen Kombi vans here at Intack Self Drive.

Of course, not every car can be a raving success, but you can be sure that we only supply the highest quality vehicles here at Intack Self Drive. All of our rental vehicles come with the option to rent through daily hire, or our outstanding Flexi hire service, so whatever your needs, you can be sure that we’ve got a vehicle to suit you. We’ve got almost half a century of car hire and minibus hire experience under our belt here at Intack Self Drive, and we’re always here to help. Ready to get started? You can browse the best hire deals right here on our site, or give us a call on 01254 57811!1