The car we predicted in 1950
Explore
We've looked at the patents of the past to see how our cars could have looked, with some features we are glad never made it onto the road.
Nuclear
Powered
Front & Back
Propellers
Sophisticated
Design
Nuclear-Powered
Inspired by The Ford Nucleon (1957)
In 1957, people weren't thinking about electric cars. Instead they were planning for a world of nuclear energy, with features similar to the car in Back to the Future in mind for everyday driving. Great Scott!
Propellers
Patented by Einarsson Einar (1959)
Roads were boring people as far back as 1959. This idea involved putting a propeller underneath your car to help it fly into the sky. Just be careful when you land.
Sophisticated design
Patented by Clifford Brooks Stevens (1956)
Fashions have changed a little over the years. Car design was all about suave style and smooth lines back then - the bigger the better. We can't imagine they'd be easy to parallel park.
What about the cars of 2021?
The car of the future might still be in development, but we've got plenty of innovations of our own you can drive off in right now. Check out all our car leasing deals, or find something designed with the future in mind with our range of hybrid and electric cars.
Cars of the future
Patent-based concept cars of the past and future
The car we predict today
Explore
Driving on tarmac is so last year. We've looked at the current patents pending to see how our cars might look in generations to come, with some smart suggestions (and some all the more bizarre) set to shape the future of automobiles.
Conveyer belts
for shopping
Laser window
cleaning
Drone
Headlights
Ability
to fly
Shopping conveyer belt
According to this Ford idea, our cars will be able to load their own shopping one day. This conveyor belt system will perfectly fill your trunk in the best possible way, a bit like Tetris without the satisfying sounds.
Laser window cleaning
This debris detecting technology will spot any signs of dirt on your windscreen and remove them with a laser. Need we say any more than that?
Drone headlights
Traditional headlights only light up what's in front of you, and rather boringly they don't fly. With this drone headlight patent pending, that could soon be set to change. The idea is they'll hover above the car, lighting up all angles and making driving in the dark much safer.
Flying Car
Patented by Dylan T X Zhou (2016)
Where you're going you won't need roads. There are plans in place for this car to fly, letting you get from A to B without worrying about traffic jams ever again.
The car of the future would also have:
Gearstick steering wheel
By putting the gear stick in the steering wheel, a bit like an F1 car, you free up the centre of your car for more important things like snacks and old wrappers.
Fully electric
As bans on diesel and petrol vehicles come into place, green machines will be the only option for future drivers. By 2070 it's predicted all cars will be electric, making petrol pumps a thing of the past.
What about the cars of 2021?
The car of the future might still be in development, but we've got plenty of innovations of our own you can drive off in right now. Check out all our car leasing deals, or find something designed with the future in mind with our range of hybrid and electric cars.