Mercedes Benz C-112
Year: 1991
Debut at: Unknown
Production cost: $395,000*
The body of the Mercedes Benz C-112 was designed by Carrozzeria Coggiolo and had a Mercedes-made chassis. The C-112 was rumored to be a complementary model to the C11 race car that could be marketed to the public. And what would an everyday consumer get when they drove a C-112 home? It came with a 6 liter, V-12 engine, and a spacious, leather interior.
The public was ready for the concept and Mercedes received hundreds of orders but, in the end, executives decided the model was a superfluous design.
Dodge Copperhead
Year: 1997
Debut at North American International Auto Show
Production cost: $30,000*
The Dodge Copperhead was a close relative to the Dodge Viper but never made it to the main streets. The Copperhead had its own interior design that differed from the Viper but maintained some nuances from its well-known cousin. It had a V-6 engine and was slated to be a more affordable version than the Viper.
The Copperhead was marketed to the driving enthusiast with its low-profile that allowed the driver to feel closer to the road. It was almost released in 2000 until the market demand for SUVs pushed the Copperhead out of the manufacturer's minds.
Audi Avus
Year: 1991
Debut at Tokyo Motor Show
Production cost: $2.4 Million*
The Audi Avus debuted in 1991 at the Tokyo Motor show in all of its chrome glory. Built-in Stuttgart, Germany, the Avus was only a hypothetical model. It had an aluminum body and a fake W12 mid-engine that would have had 502 horsepower.
However, based on these specifications, it truly would have been a speed demon, going from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds and reaching a jaw-dropping 211 miles per hour!
Yamaha OX99-11
Year: 1992
Debut at: Unknown
Production cost: $800,000*
The Yamaha OX99-11 was a joint venture by International Automotive Design and Yamaha. The OX99-11 contained a 3.5-liter V-12 engine, a fiberglass chassis, and an aluminum body.
On the outside, it had an overt, space-age feel with its bubble windshield and smooth edges. But with budget disagreements and a recession in Japan, it was one stroke of bad luck after another for this concept, which is why it was never made.
Buick Avista
Year: 2006
Debut at: North American International Auto Show
Production cost: $84,035*
The Buick Avista was a breath of fresh air from the brand known for its girth and durability that dominated its style. With the Camaro’s Alpha platform as its foundation, the Avista was conceptualized by Ed Welburn and featured twin-turbo V-6 engines. And though it was very stylish, the Avista was more than just looks.
The concept had Magnetic Ride Control which allowed for smooth steering on the road and with 400 horsepower, it was quite the novelty for this car manufacturer. However, Buick insisted on retaining the Avista solely for design research.