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The 4102 was designed as a successor of the 41047 that served as an official vehicle for many country leaders in Soviet Russia. Unfortunately, it never reached production as Mikhail Gorbachev, a former Soviet statesman wasn’t too impressed with the final result and disapproved of it. The first 4102 prototype rolled off the ZIL assembly line in Moscow in 1987 and two more followed in 1989 and late 1990. No more units were produced. There’s no official information about the engines of the 4102, but, according to many sources, it was constructed with three different engines in mind – a 4.5-liter V6, a 6.0-liter V8, and a massive 7.0-liter V8 diesel. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions were designed, sending power to the front wheels. Considering the average level of engineering quality among mass vehicles in Russia, the 4102 is an absolute masterpiece. Not only it was good-looking, but it also featured several body parts made of carbon fiber (!), such as roof panels, trunk lid, hood, and bumpers. Speaking of the design, the 4102 was highly inspired by large luxury Japanese vehicles of that time – you can’t help but notice the resemblance to the first-generation Lexus LS and some Mazda models. Add a bit of Cadillac cues to the mix, and you’ve got a vehicle designed to battle the Mercedes-Benz W126 and W123 that were quite popular in Europe. It was also the first Russian car that did not use body-on-frame construction and instead used a unitized design. Weighing half a ton less than its predecessor, the ZIL-4102 was capable of reaching 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) from a standstill in 10.5 seconds. Fuel consumption of the V8 petrol versions was rated at 13 miles per gallon (18 liters per 100 kilometers) at 56 mph (90 kph). On the interior, it was arguably the most comfortable Russian vehicle of that time. Standard features include an AM/FM radio/tape player, two-way power front bench, adjustable rear bench, power windows, heater and vent fan, power steering, and more. The second and more luxurious trim adds leather seats, air conditioning, and four disc brakes. Source: https://www.motor1.com/news/64031/soviet-bloc-cars-were-weird-zil-4102/

The Diablo GT2 was actually on display at the Auto Show in Copenhagen in 1998, and it looked like Automobili Lamborghini SpA was trying to sell this redesigned Diablo. They even had a price for this special, $350,000; however, during the 1999 Geneva Auto Show, they showed the awesome Diablo GT, which was going to be the production unit. The Lamborghini Diablo GT went on sale starting in September of 1999, but only a limited production of 80 cars would be made. Another rumor stated the new L147 engine would be used in this GT2 car to compete during the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1999, but that was just a rumor, and there wasn’t a Lamborghini entry in Le Mans for the notorious 24h race in 1999. Source: https://www.lambocars.com/diablo-gt2/

The 1998 Ford Taurus SHO Rage Concept was a one-off for the SEMA show. It was powered by a 235hp version of the Ford/Yamaha 32 valve DOHC V8. Source: https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com/post/156982825885/ford-taurus-sho-rage-concept-1998-a-one-off-for

SVE Mercury Cougar Eliminator Concept, 1998. Made for SEMA, a particular version of the 8th generation Cougar that referenced the Eliminator performance package offered on the first generation Cougar in 1969. The SEMA concept had a supercharged 250hp version of the standard car’s 2.5-litre, 24-valve DOHC Duratec V-6. Source: https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com/post/166711615829/sve-mercury-cougar-eliminator-concept-1998-made

Press Release With Mercury’s new Gametime Villager concept, any stadium is a tailgate party in the making. Whether at the alma mater’s homecoming, an outdoor concert, family reunion or kid’s soccer game, Mercury’s concept Gametime Villager will be the center of attention. Villager is a natural for tailgate-type activities, and the Gametime concept vehicle takes the theme to an extreme. Mercury designers incorporated a wide range of ideas into the vehicle, and many of the modifications are readily available from aftermarket sources. The starting point for the Gametime concept was a 1999 Villager, powered by a 3.3-liter SOHC V-6. Exterior styling is altered with the addition of new front and rear fascias and bolder body-side cladding. The front fascia features a lower air opening and recessed PIAA fog lamps. A distinctive vertical bar grille insert with a "Flying M" emblem sustains the Mercury identity. Not one, but two sliding canvas sunroofs from Hollandia provide additional ventilation and are perfect for sunny days. The rear liftgate features a fitted tent canopy to provide a little protection from the elements on those classic fall football days. To pull in those away games, there’s a retractable satellite dish that stows easily for travel. The exterior of Gametime Villager is covered with a coat of high metallic Cabernet Red paint. Gametime Villager has been lowered slightly with a set of Roush Racing springs at all four corners. Hand-cut 235/50R18 Michelin concept tires are mounted on TSW Hockenheim-R 18-inch alloy wheels. Dual DynoMax exhaust tips add a performance flare to the custom exterior treatment. As you might imagine, the inside of Gametime is something special. The plush surroundings are trimmed with two-tone leather, and the seats are embroidered with Mercury logos. Naturally, there is also plenty of interior storage room for tailgating essentials like an ice chest, collapsible picnic table and chairs, and a BBQ grill. Perhaps the most unique aspect is the built-in rear entertainment module that features side-mounted stereo speakers, ice bucket, humidor, storage and integrated DVD player. The video feed from either the DVD player or the satellite dish can be viewed on the plasma 21-inch flat panel monitor, which is built into the module. Pregame, postgame or any time in the great outdoors is the perfect time to enjoy Gametime Villager concept from Mercury. It’s a tailgate party waiting to happen. Source: http://drivingenthusiast.net/sec-ford/FMC-concepts-prototypes-showcars/concepts_MERCURY/villager-gametime/default.htm

Comment below if you know anymore about this 1998 Pontiac Firebird 455 Ram Air WS6 GMMG Formula Edition Coupe. Source: https://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/pontiac-firebird-455-ram-air-ws6-gmmg-formula-edition-coupe-1998/

Power to haul. The heart and soul of The Big Red Truck is the new Cummins 24—Valve Turbo Diesel engine. Now offered as an option on production Dodge Ram 2500 HD and 3500 pickups, this engine has a new electronic fllCl system which helps provide cleaner, quieter operation. The new 5.9L inline six-cylinder Cummins kicks out 460 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,400 rpm and maintains it all the way up to 2,700 rpm with its standard five-speed manual transmission. And with 235 horsepower at 2,700 rpm. The Big Red Truck really hauls. With long distance comfort. The Big Red Truck’s interior has been made more spacious by increasing the cab length eight inches over the standard Ram Quad Cab. The aero roof has been raised 10 inches to provide increased head room and storage over the Mist Gray leather front and rear bucket seats. The center console has been removed from the front seat to provide pass-through rear access. Other features: a swing-down, six-inch flat-screen LCD color television set, videocassette player with remote, rear audio controls with headphones, and five strategically placed cup holders. Sources: http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/dodge/98r/98r.html; https://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/dodge-big-red-truck-concept-1998/

First seen at the 1997 SEMA show, the Dodge Ram T-Rex 6×6 began life as a factory-stock Ram 3500 1-ton regular-cab pickup truck. Design to be an extreme off-road machine with class-leading tow/haul capabilities, the T-Rex featured V10 power and tandem-mounted dual rear axles. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, the 8.0-liter engine produced 497 horsepower and a stout 593 lb-ft of torque. Instead of the dual rear wheels typically found on 1-ton pickups, the T-Rex sported dual single-axles; this dual rear axle arrangement, utilized instead of the dual rear wheels typically found on 1-ton “dually” pickups, was said to provide better off-road traction as well as improving maneuverability by reducing the truck’s overall width. Two transfer cases were incorporated into the T-Rex’s drivetrain. One was conventionally located aft of the transmission, the other between the rear axles. Always in “4×4” mode–both rear axles were always engaged–the T-Rex could be driven in “6×6” mode by engaging the front axle. The T-Rex was never seriously considered for production. Sources: https://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/dodge-t-rex-concept-truck-1998/; https://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/dodge-t-rex-concept-truck-1998/

Comment below if you know anything about this 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Saturday Night Cruiser concept car. Source: https://oldconceptcars.com/1930-2004/oldsmobile-intrigue-saturday-night-cruiser-concept-1998/

Stunning audiences at the Sydney Motor Show in 1998, the Australian car maker showed off its sizeable V6 family car in the form of a two-door coupe. Undoubtedly stealing the show, the Holden Coupe was commissioned as a secret project from within the company, maintaining a complete surprise for its eventual reveal. The Holden Coupe was the testing ground for the return of the Monaro, a car Holden hadn’t produced in decades. The concept provided a platform to gauge public interest and develop a business case for the vehicle to production. The public response was very positive, and Holden went on to launch the new Monaro in 2001. Based on the Holden Commodore VT, the Coupe was a one-off build and, as most concepts are, barely functional. The interior features bright blue accents and seats. The production Monaro in 2001 was based on the VX Commodore, which was a mid-life update to the VT. Source: https://www.wsupercars.com/wallpapers/holden/1998-holden-coupe-concept/

Zagato built the Zuma to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 1998. This car is based on an Audi A3 with a 1.9-liter diesel engine. Source: www.velocetoday.com Images Source: Zagato

The W12 Syncro prototype was first unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, while the “roadster,” a more advanced version of the W12 Syncro, made its debut at the Volkswagen stand at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show. Source: Italdesign - Giugiaro Images Source: Volkswagen AG

Volkswagen wanted to turn SEAT into an Alfa-Romeo brand (sporty and temperamental) and tried to accomplish that by showing flashy new designs like this Bolero. This car was introduced at the Geneva car show in 1998, and its full name is Bolero 330 BT, where 330 stands for the engine's power output (330 hp) and BT for Bi-Turbo. It is also quite a powerful engine: it produces 500 Nm torque and a V6 with 2.8-liter displacement. To get the power on the road, it has a permanent four-wheel drive and a sequential gearbox. The car weighs an impressive 1615 kg and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in about 5 seconds; the top speed is 273 kph. The designers claim it's a GT limousine, and they're probably right. It looks like a coupé but has four doors and four seats. Also, we see the current trend in car design: no B-pillar between the doors. But instead of opposing opening doors, the SEAT designers choose to fit sliding back doors. The Bolero is a spectacular-looking car, sporty and powerful, but there are no plans to take up production. Certain aspects of the vehicle will, however, reappear in normal SEAT production cars. The new Toledo is an excellent example of that, especially the design of the front of the car. Source: www.ritzsite.nl Images Sources: SEAT; Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page

At the 1998 Geneva Auto Show, the three-seater, all-terrain, open-top ZO was presented. The Zo is a cross between a car and a motorbike, and it is entirely hose washable! Europe’s first direct-injection petrol engine powers it. With a solid architectural structure between axles, the Zo combined traditional approaches to small coupe design with less conventional ones. The architectural effect of the side and roll-over structures has been referenced in several other small sports cars since the appearance of the Zo. Features Central driver’s seat with one passenger seat set slightly farther back on either side Deliberately minimalist equipment: a tachometer, fuel gauge, and speedometer Beetle-wing doors Revolutionary suspension system using pneumatic springs combined with a hydraulic pump enabling ride height to be modified in seconds Aluminum chassis from the Renault Spider F5R 2.0-litre 16V direct-injection engine developing 135bhp Proactive automatic transmission Source: KATRIINA’S RENAULT CENTER; conceptcar.co.uk Images Source: Renault

The Renault Vel Satis is a dramatically styled four-seat, high-technology coupe de ville with a windshield that extends almost to the extreme rear of the roof. Jean-Francois Venet, the Executive Chief Designer for Renault's large cars, said the Vel Satis embraces several elements that indicate possible future design trends. These include its frontal styling with twin air intakes, a prominent Renault badge position, angular flanks, and distinctive "shoulder" treatment toward the rear and below the C-pillar. Renault sent its designers to London, Milan, and other major cities to bring back fresh ideas about architecture, furniture, fashion, and textiles that could be incorporated in Vel Satis. The Vel Satis is also a technology demonstrator. It's two enormous, 1.78-m (5.8-ft) carbon-fiber doors open electrohydraulically on a patented hinge system that moves them out and forward. The result is that, at the maximum arc, they extend no further than the doors of the little Renault Twingo hatchback but allow easy access to the Vel Satis' interior. The doors open at the touch of a pressure pad. The hood, which covers a newly developed, naturally aspirated, 3.0-L V6 gasoline engine, is also powered by the clamshell trunk lid. This theme of powered systems extends to the interior, with the seats incorporating laterally moving headrests to allow passengers to sleep more comfortably. With its huge glass area, the car's interior is very light, but Renault admits that this is not viable for production. However, Venet explains that future Renault models will make increased use of glass, with the next-generation Espace MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) particularly benefiting from the philosophy. The steering wheel has a stationary hub with built-in controls; only the wheel's rim moves. The dashboard incorporates "jewel trays" instead of a conventional glove box. These swing out, with one containing an alphanumeric keyboard for the operation of a PC. A telematic travel system uses a Pioneer DVD. Navigation and guidance information can be complemented by cultural information on an area as it is passed through. Neon lighting is used for the interior and the rear lights, while the Valeo headlamps have an advanced optical bar system that Renault says has aspects in common with lighthouse technology. The car's tires are a development of Michelin's vertically anchored PAV technology. Designed to celebrate Renault's one-hundredth anniversary, Vel Satis is a luxury four-seater coupe avant-garde in its architecture and design. As with its predecessor Initiale, its concept embraces traditional conventions of luxury motoring with fond respect while encapsulating that free-spirited creativity that is the very essence of Renault. Maintaining the theme, a production Vel Satis was launched in 2002. Features Continuous windscreen and glass roof unit A hands-free entry card opens doors automatically 1,780mm-long side doors with twin-stage parallel opening No center pillar DVD system and enhanced GPS navigation offering guidance and tourist information Sources: www.sae.org; conceptcar.co.uk Images Source: Renault

For the 24-hour race of Le Mans, Franco Sbarro has created an open version of the Renault Espace: the Sbarro Renault Espider. It is intended for famous racing drivers and show business notorieties. Source: www.classicdriver.com Images Source: Renault

The 1998 Pontiac Montana Thunder Concept was both a minivan and sport utility vehicle prototype. A 225hp 4.0-liter V6 engine powered it. Source: https://carsthatnevermadeitetc.tumblr.com/post/164069080240/pontiac-montana-thunder-concept-1998-a Images Source: General Motors Corp.

On January 4, 1998, when the engineers at Chrysler designed the Plymouth Pronto Spyder, a concept car unveiled at the 1998 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, they tailored it for a cost-savvy consumer who "wanted to have some fun," according to John Herlitz, vice president of production and design for Chrysler. One of the challenges in keeping the Spyder affordable was lowering manufacturing costs yet providing quality where customers wanted it. The Chrysler folks accomplished this by borrowing material from Spyder's cousin, the Plymouth Pronto, which was displayed at the 1997 NAIAS. Chrysler's Composite Concept Vehicle was shown at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show. The result was to spend less on building materials and more on the engine and stylistic details. The plastic used on these concept vehicles is called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and is the same material used to make plastic drinking bottles that store soda or spring water. The introduction of PET technology in the automobile industry can reduce manufacturing costs by 80 percent, leaving a chunk of money for things like … an excellent supercharged engine. Housing a mid-mounted 2.4-liter dual overhead cam transverse engine with 225 horsepower, the car is designed to drive like an exotic sports racer with a low center of gravity. The Spyder is also equipped with 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels, 225/40R18 Goodyear tires, and a 5-speed manual transmission. Moving away from the boxy car look, this aerodynamic convertible is modeled after classic sportscars of the 50s and 60s, incorporating chrome accents and a plastic tortoiseshell steering wheel rim reminiscent of the wood trim on cars of yesteryear. The Platinum Silver concept car also sported an aircraft-inspired windshield, lightweight drilled pedals, and a tubular, low-slung fuselage. Source: Spyder Snares Curious Flies at NAIAS - www.edmunds.com Images Source: Chrysler Corporation

The Peugeot Crisalys V6 is the running prototype of a mid-engined Berlinetta (a wholly unprecedented formula for Peugeot) was exhibited at the 1998 Geneva show. The Peugeot Crysalis V6 is stunning with fleeting and perfectly integrated lines, fluid volumes, and a sloping front end with the mass bunched slightly forward, as though accentuating a natural propensity to spring at the road. The cabin is a bubble in the middle of the car, almost like the cockpit of a fighter plane. Front and rear lighting units, which recall the Peugeot 406 Coupé, express a powerful marque identity. Source: www.classicdriver.com Image Sources: Sbarro; Dingo

The 106 model freshened up Peugeot's line-up, eventually becoming the maker's best-selling car. At its 1998 launch, the hatchback was available in 3 and 5-door variants with a choice of three petrol engines (1.1, 1.4, and 1.6 L) and one 1.9 L Diesel engine. In terms of engineering, the 206 was spared from sharing the older platform of the 106, having been fitted with an entirely new one. Built at the two plants in Mulhouse (France) and Ryton (UK), the 106 quickly attained popularity, mainly due to the car's hot looks, overall reliability, and affordability. Source: https://www.autoevolution.com/cars/peugeot-206-3-doors-1998.html#aeng_peugeot-206-3-doors-1998-11