The sci-fi cars we wish had in 2023
By Motor Match • 10/10/2023
We invite you to think about these fictional marvels and how they might one day become a tangible reality that brings us one step closer to the great frontier.
Vehicles have always represented the pulse of innovation, the spirit of adventure, and more than anything, the boundless realms of what could be. And, whilst we’ve seen notable evolution in our own earthly automobiles, sci-fi only serves to fuel this curiosity.
So, let’s d(r)ive into the spectacular world of fictional cars that we wish were sitting pretty in our own garages.
- The Spinner (Blade Runner)
- Delorean (Back to the Future)
- V8 Interceptor (Mad Max)
- Lexus 2054 (Minority Report)
Delorean: Back to the Future (1985 - 1990)
From soaring the skies to travelling through time, we have a vehicle that…well, did actually exist at one point in our world. But not in the way that Robert Zemeckis portrayed back in 1985 with his groundbreaking film Back to the Future.
With its gull-wing doors, sleek stainless steel body, and iconic flux capacitor, Zemeckis’ Delorean is one of the most enchanting, enduring vehicles in sci-fi culture. It also offers a tantalising glimpse into a world where the boundaries of time crumble with the turn of a key.
It sells itself, really - time travel! Who wouldn’t want to visit bygone eras, witness historical events firsthand, and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the past?
And think of the history trips! Students and researchers would be able to explore historical periods in person rather than through the relatively inaccessible medium of textbooks.
In this way, the Delorean is less of a conceptual vehicle, and more a kaleidoscope of possibilities - challenging the concept of impossible and placing the keys of time at our fingertips.
The Spinner: Blade Runner (1982 - 2017)
We’re going to start with a car that belongs in the dystopian world of Blade Runner. In Ridley Scott’s visionary sci-fi film, the Spinner is a versatile machine capable of ground and airborne navigation - soaring high-above the neon-infused streets of 2019 Los Angeles, and into cluttered skylines.
With its VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) capabilities, the Spinner could act as an evolution to commercial travel. The runway would become virtually extinct, and we could embark from basically anywhere.
Then there’s the dual functionality of driving and flying that would allow us to adapt to a diverse range of travel needs. Not to mention that having the vast open sky as our highway (Skyway?) would help us skip traffic!.
We could go on and on about the exciting potential of a real Spinner-like car, from an urban planning, economic, and environmental perspective, but we’d be here for hours, so let’s move on.
V8 Interceptor: Mad Max (1979)
So, this one is more of an indulgence rather than anything with practical use, but humour us for a moment…
The once 1973 Ford Falcon, which later morphed into a battle-ready machine, is a cultural touchstone that symbolises raw power, resilience, and boisterous spirit.
In an era of burgeoning, clean electrical automotives, the Interceptor stands steadfast as a member of the traditional ICEV (internal combustion engine vehicle) landscape.
Straightforward yet brutally effective, its hardy construction and reinforced framework would offer unmatched durability in challenging terrain. Just picture venturing into uncharted territories, distant deserts, or abandoned relics of past civilisations, all with a vehicle forged to endure and prevail.
The Interceptor is the posterboy of rugged autonomy and power. And in an increasingly interconnected world dependent on vast networks of technology, a vehicle that sustains and empowers you to thrive in a more isolated terrain could be liberating.
Just looking at the Interceptor invites you to explore the raw mechanical might of survivalism, and while we steer towards a future of electric mobility, the iconic V8 Interceptor grounds you in a reality of unyielding endurance.
Lexus 2054: Minority Report (2002)
Hailing from the world of Spielberg’s cyberpunk action film, the ‘2054’ sits right in the middle of auto design and technology. It provides a looking glass into a future where the boundaries of technology and lifestyle blur.
First and foremost, this is a car that knows you. You unlock the 2054 using advanced biometric security systems in a way that makes the car more of an extension of the driver. In 2023, where digital security and data protection are paramount, this biometric approach would offer unmatched security and reduce the risk of theft.
Then there’s the automatic driving. At a time where work, leisure, and travel constantly intermingle, the ability to safely travel whilst dipping into something else becomes invaluable.
Be it a business call or just a good book, you could forget the worries of navigating traffic and find new freedom on the road.
Science Fiction or Fact?
While the 2054 - like the rest of our entrants - linger in the corridors of science fiction, their principles of use and design are maybe not as far-fetched as they were when they first hit our screens. This World Space Week, we invite you to think about these fictional marvels and how they might one day become a tangible reality that brings us one step closer to the great frontier.
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