TOP 10 CARS - 10 unforgettable car designs from 2021

over the last 12 months we have covered many exciting new entries in the car scene, from an electrified porsche 935 to the formula one inspired aston martin supercar, passing by the high performance BMW XM concept and a shape-shifting audi e-roadster.

continuing our TOP 10 round-ups of 2021, we look back at 10 car stories that attracted our and, most importantly, designboom readers’ attention over the past 12 months.

VANDERHALL USA UNVEILS THE BRAWLEY ELECTRIC 4X4 OFF-ROAD VEHICLE

known for its three-wheeler roadsters, vanderhall USA is back with an off-road electric vehicle. dubbed the vanderhall brawley, this is the first 4-wheel-drive the company has unveiled since its inception in 2010.

‘we have a history as trail-blazers in the design and manufacturing industry, and we are excited to announce one of our most revolutionary creations to date: the 4-wheel brawley™,’ the company said. ‘constructed with the same uncompromising commitment to quality that typifies all vanderhall vehicles, the brawley™ is the first ever fully enclosed all-electric side by side. with its unibody chassis, smooth handling and massive tires, the brawley™ promises to provide an off-roading experience like no other.’

THE MOBY X BY BISIMOTO IS A REDESIGNED FUTURISTIC, ALL-ELECTRIC PORSCHE 935 MOBY DICK

bisimoto engineering, a californian company dedicated to building fantastic porsche models, has unveiled its latest project — the so-called moby X. designed in collaboration with ACRONYM co-founder, errolson hugh, and concept design artist, khyzyl salem, this concept car is 100% electric and inspired on the famous porsche 935 moby dick of the late 70s.

SHAPE-SHIFTING AUDI SKYSPHERE CONCEPT E-ROADSTER DEBUTS AT MONTEREY CAR WEEK 2021

debuting at monterey car week 2021, AUDI revealed the skysphere concept – the first of three future design vehicles. the electric-powered, two-door convertible shines the spotlight on the brand’s new design direction, focusing on creating captivating mobility experiences through the exterior and interior. two different driving experiences are on offer – an autonomous grand touring and self-driving sports modes – that uses a variable wheelbase to expand and shrink the car accordingly.

BMW CONCEPT XM IS THE FIRST HIGH-PERFORMANCE, ELECTRIFIED M CAR

almost 50 years after M – BMW’s high-performance sub-brand – raced on to the scene, the BMW Concept XM revealed the first standalone M car since the legendary M1 in 1972. the concept car looks ahead at their most powerful model ever to go into series production, energized through electric. the debuts continue as the model showcases a new design language dedicated to the emerging desires of expressive luxury.

HYUNDAI ELECTRIFIES ITS 1986 GRANDEUR IN A RETRO-FUTURISTIC RESTORATION

after electrifying its 1975 pony earlier this year (read more), hyundai returns with a restored, modified electric 1986 grandeur. this so-called ‘restomod’ presents a continuation of the company’s heritage series, which sees its classic vehicles updated with an electric powertrain and a ‘retro-futuristic’ styling to celebrate both the heritage of the car and the forward-looking spirit of the company.

PORSCHE OFFERS A PREVIEW OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF ELECTRIC MOTORS WITH MISSION R CONCEPT

on the occasion of the IAA mobility 2021 in munich, porsche gave a glimpse into its automotive future. as reported by car and driver, the car giant will turn its 718 lineup fully electric by 2025 and its design has been previewed by the mission R concept car.

‘without the wild aero, and scaled down in its aggressive demeanor, the mission R gives a good idea of what a production 718 cayman could look like,’ the magazine said.

ONE-OFF ROLLS-ROYCE BOAT TAIL COUPÉ SETS NEW VOYAGE OF HAND COACHBUILDING

rolls-royce embarked on a new era of modern coachbuilding with the utterly unique commission, the boat tail. the movement – a step up from the british marque’s renowned bespoke treatment – began in 2017 with the introduction and then international plaudits of the sweptail. now, with a special and permanent coachbuild design team, patrons are empowered to create even more personal expressions of taste and lifestyle. the revealed coupé debuts many firsts, including a champagne hosting suite and parasol which both open up in synchronized, santiago calatrava-inspired mechanisms.

ALPHA MOTOR CORPORATION UNVEILS ITS ADVENTURE-SEEKING ELECTRIC ‘JAX’ CUV

alpha motor corporation has unveiled its new electric jax, the automotive company’s crossover utility vehicle (CUV). jax, which stands for ‘junior all-terrain crossover,’ is positioned as a fun utility vehicle for 4 passengers on an electric platform — combining versatile all road performance, durability, and clean power. the CUV will be released in a four-wheel drive (4WD) or front-wheel drive (FWD) system with a towing capacity of 1,850 pounds and acceleration of zero to sixty in 6.5 seconds. the vehicle will be equipped with a 75kwh lithium-ion battery with an estimated 250 miles of range.

ASTON MARTIN VALHALLA HYBRID ROAD-LEGAL SUPERCAR INSPIRED BY FORMULA ONE

hold tight, the aston martin valhalla hybrid supercar is to be brought into production and on to the road. it is a more democratic design of the valkyrie, bringing a dramatic, thrilling aesthetic and drive to match motorsport but for all drivers. fusing raw emotion with efficiency, the road racer bolsters a mid-engined 950 bhp gasoline/battery electric powertrain to get set, go!

PROJECT MAYBACH WITH VIRGIL ABLOH: MERCEDES-BENZ UNVEILS ELECTRIC CAR AS TRIBUTE TO LATE DESIGNER

with its ‘project MAYBACH,’ mercedes-benz pays tribute to legendary designer virgil abloh after his recent passing (see here). the collaborative project proceeded following the wishes of virgil’s family, and unveils an electric show car which the team notes is ‘designed to inspire the next generation, and forever question the status quo.’