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At the 1998 New Delhi Auto Expo, the public saw the premiere of the Arya (a 4x4 station wagon on the Tata Sierra chassis; four such vehicles have been built till now). Source: car-cat.com

In 1998, Sbarro showed his Calao beach car, based on the Berlingo. Every now and then, fortunately, someone remembers that the car can also be fun. It happened with the Mini Moke. Then the Citroen Mehari. It is now the turn of the Citroen Berlingo "Calao", in the interpretation of the students from Espera Sbarro in Portarlier. Source: www.classicdriver.com Images Source: Sbarro

First shown at the October 1998 Paris Auto Show, the C3 Lumiere concept utilized various "pointed" styling cues, from the wheels to the taillights and mirrors. With an ocean pearl blue paint scheme with light gray accents, the Lumiere was the gateway to the C3 production car of 2002. The interior was most unique, with a retractable analog speedometer/tachometer on the top of the dashboard, a dial showing the car's running functions (windshield wipers, lights, etc.), and a manual gear shift lever mounted vertically on the point of the protruding dashboard console. The theme of hexagons inside circles was carried onto the door speakers and ventilation ducts. Source: www.citroenet.org.uk Images Sources: CITROEN; Mario Buonocunto Concept Cars Page

During the development of the C3, a cabriolet was proposed. Citroën built this C3-Air concept car in 1998, which led to the "not a concept car" Pluriel, which was shown in 1999 and eventually went into production with substantial changes as the C3 Pluriel in 2003. Source: www.citroenet.org.uk Images Source: CITROEN

Look familiar? Strip away the lardy curves of Chrysler's 2001 PT Cruiser, and this is what you find: the idea was distilled down to its essence and served up in 1997 as the Plymouth Pronto Concept. The Pronto Concept spawned another concept, the Plymouth Pronto Cruizer, which begat Chrysler's PT Cruiser. Chrysler settled on a more Rubenesque shape as a riposte to the Beetle and BMW's MINI. Source: Simon Hacker/MSN Cars Images Source: Chrysler

Echoing show cars from the 1950s by Virgil Exner and his creative crew, the classy Chrysler Chronos cruised on massive 20-inch front and 21-inch rear tires. A 350 horsepower, 6.0-liter V-10 engine purred under the long, low hood and came mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. A modified Dodge Viper suspension was used for the Chronos. Built into the handsome Chronos cabin was a cigar humidor, plus, the tortoiseshell and California walnut trim inspired the details used in the cabin of the 2005 Chrysler 300 4-door sedan. Source: www.chicagoautoshow.com Images Source: Concept Car Central, Chrysler Corporation

On January 6, 1998, the Chevrolet presentation at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit was interrupted by two surprise guests: seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt and the Tasmanian Devil. Both Earnhardt and Taz seem to be all wound up about Chevy's newest concept car, the Monte Carlo "Intimidator," a race car-inspired vehicle with a modified 3800 Series II V-6 engine that creates 295 horsepower and 280 lbs. of torque. According to Chevy, the Intimidator offers NASCAR wannabes the closest thing to driving a real racecar: aerodynamic details like low-slung front and rear air dams and a decklid spoiler, authentic racing gauges, front and rear Recaro bucket seats with five-point safety restraints, a tubular steel safety cage, an on-board fire suppressor and 17-inch Goodyear racing tires. You know, lots of practical stuff for taking the kids to soccer practice. The car might appeal to kids or adults at heart since Chevy has entered into a partnership with Warner Brothers and will be using the Tasmanian Devil as part of its advertising program. Source: The Car Endorsed by the Devil - Edmunds.com, Inc Images Source: www.auto.com

The Cardi Curara is an extremely rare and distinctive two-seater roadster from Russia, with unique styling incorporating a two-tone contrasting red and silver color scheme. Specs: Engine: BMW V12 Displacement: 5397 cc / 329.3 in³ Power: 243.1 kw / 326.0 bhp @ 5000 rpm Output: 60.4 bhp per litre Torque: 490 nm / 361.4 ft lbs @ 3900 rpm Body/Frame: Steel, Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber Drive: Front Engine / RWD Source: www.cardi.ru

This is a concept multiple-activity vehicle that offers the versatility of a van or sport utility versatility while retaining the comfort, convenience, and safety of a premium family sedan (based on Park Avenue architecture). Signia is taller, somewhat wider, and significantly shorter than Park Avenue. It also has higher seats and roof as well as inset rocker panels for easier passenger access. Cargo space is enhanced by independently folding seats and a powered rear floor that extends 15 inches out the back. Large rear doors with a 90-degree opening range also provide easy cargo access. A hinged, composite-plastic hatch functions as a sunroof and outside cargo carrier and is removable to transport bulky items. Infrared sensors detect objects in the blind spot and trigger warnings displayed in the outside rearview mirrors. The remote keyless entry fob can provide Personal Choice settings for seat positions, climate controls, entertainment sound systems, and the tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The engine is a 240-horsepower supercharged 3800 Series II V-6. An innovative hybrid all-wheel-drive system controls torque based upon wheel speed sensors monitoring traction needs. In front of the driver’s seat are reconfigurable head-up and head-down animated color displays. The color is described as metallic-ochre. Source: www.welovebuicks.com Images Source: www.auto.com

Before creating the 1,000 hp, $1.5m Bugatti Veyron, Volkswagen, the parent of Bugatti, spent nearly ten years developing prototypes worthy of the reintroduction of the great Bugatti name. The 1998 Bugatti EB118 was one such example. Although wrapped in luxo-coupe clothing, this car was a beast, unlike any other car the world had ever seen. Under the hood of the EB118 sat what was then the first 18-cylinder automotive engine in history. The engine was capable of unequaled power and a top speed exceeding 200 mph. Three banks of six cylinders were coupled into a W shape creating 550 BHP. The car had four valves per cylinder (72 total valves) and an all-wheel drive. The interior was luxuriously appointed. Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1999, VW had intended to produce the EB118 in limited numbers. Before any production, however, VW needed to complete a factory near the original Bugatti factory in Alsace, France. Source: www.jaylenosgarage.com Images Source: ItalDesign

The Pickster: a dream, a provocation, undoubtedly pure Bertone for its innovative spirit, a new way of looking at the automobile. From the front, the Pickster looks like a charming C-segment saloon. Still, as the gaze travels along the body of the car, the three-quarter view reveals a solution that combines the lines of the coupé or speedster with the idea of the pick-up or utility vehicle. Presented at the 1998 Geneva Motor Show, the Pickster was developed in just three months, with the company pulling out all the stops. It began with the idea of infusing the very American concept of the pick-up with the spirit of a GT. The highly imaginative result presents a revolutionary design with complex surfaces wrapping the wings in a muscular sheath. An aggressive, streamlined frontal view gives it an edgy, sporty feel. Thanks to the spoiler, the tail features a loading space characterized by ground-breaking intuition, which closes off the space and performs an aerodynamic function. Its dimensions are imposing: 480 cm long, an impressive 197 cm wide, and 136 cm high. Its yellow paintwork underlines its originality. The interiors reflect design creativity and all the work that went into the fittings and show the car's originality: leather and aluminum trims, seats with small, fixed cushions but adjustable seat-backs. On the dashboard, the instrumentation is towards the top, with the addition of the screen of the Magneti Marelli navigation system. The fact that Pickster was created in only three months was also thanks to the availability of complete mechanical components, all BMW-produced starting from the engine, a six-cylinder 3.2i 24v BMW Motorsport with an output of 320 hp. The base used was that of the BMW 528, featuring rear suspensions which occupy little space and are perfect for the development of a pick-up. And lastly, the big 21" wheels, with Michelin PAV tires, will go the distance even with a puncture. Source: www.bertone.it Images Source: Carrozzeria Bertone s.p.a.

Unveiled in January 1998 at the Detroit Motor Show, the Project Vantage thrust AML back into the world supercar spotlight. Initially built as a one-off prototype, with "no plans for production," the car was a fully road-going vehicle like many other previous AML prototypes. Reaction from the press and potential customers was fantastic - Aston Martin just had to build the car. Source: www.astonmartins.com

Alfa Romeo Monospider (Centro Stile/Zagato Concept Car) shares looks with the current GTV and Spider series. It's a one-seater concept with a second seat covered by an aerodynamic fairing, a roll bar, and no windshield. Many of the design solutions were taken up again on the GTVs used in the GTV Cup mono-make race and on the Cup versions of the coupé. Source & Image Source: Alfa Romeo; https://www.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/news/Pages/EventArchive2020/Spider-monoposto-concept.aspx

Acura TL-X prototype gave a glimpse of the next-generation TL sedan, based on the Accord during the 1998 Chicago Auto Show. The engine in the TL-X, a three-liter V-6, would be used in the coming production TL. Source: www.chicagoautoshow.com Image Source: Acura

A pure formal study, the Dardo is a spider with a powerful impact whose source of inspiration was the Alfa Romeo 156, "Car of the Year" 1998. The Dardo was intended to be a homage to a trademark, Alfa Romeo, that incarnates several of the finest qualities of Italian cars: sportiness, imagination, technology, and performance. Alfa Romeo's 156 sedan forms the basis of an intriguing new concept. The Dardo (Dart) spider is "a pure styling exercise with no production prospects," states designer Pininfarina. All the Alfa Romeo spiders from the 1950s to the present day resulted from industrial and styling cooperation with Pininfarina. They include the Giulietta Spider of the 1950s, Duetto of the 1960s (in production for 27 years), and the Alfa Spider of 1994. The Dardo takes the current Spider's aesthetic cues several stages further. It uses Alfa's 2.5-L V6 in a body 4380 mm (173 in.) long, 1709 mm (71 in.) wide, and only 1250 mm (49 in.) high. Its wheelbase is slightly shorter than that of the 156. The shape of the front of the car tapers toward a point to incorporate the traditional Alfa Romeo triangular radiator grille. Its twin headlights were developed jointly with Valeo. The inner light cluster provides a full beam and is surrounded by six small spotlights. Direction indicators comprise thin, amber-colored "neon" bulbs. The styling for the Dardo's flanks also uses a triangular theme, as does the rear. The car incorporates the 156's dashboard with metallic-like leather upholstery used for it and the seats. Pininfarina worked with Sparco to design and build the seats, which have extremely rigid shells using carbon/Kevlar/carbon technology. They have four-point seat belts with a lever release. Sources: pininfarina spa.; www.sae.org Images Source: pininfarina spa.

Launched at the 1998 Turin Motorshow, the Stola Abarth Monotipo does not in the slightest bit look like the Fiat Barchetta, which was used as a base for the project. Penned by ex-Pininfarina designer Aldo Brovarone, the Monotipo was conceived to showcase Stola's craftsmanship rather than a fashion statement. Stola Group's Abarth Monotipo 98 was developed specifically for the Turin Show. Stola's operations cover nine engineering and production businesses, including models, prototypes, dies, molding, welding technology, and body assembly. The Monotipo 98 is a coupe and a technology demonstrator but is not designed for production. Stola collaborated with eight sponsors: CIBA Specialty Chemicals, Brembo, Momo Corse, AG Glasurit, Isoclima, OZ Racing, Goodyear, and Vercar Model. Stola said of CIBA Speciality Chemicals' contribution: "It participated with all materials needed for model and die construction, and for the bodywork details. Regarding the style model, we utilized the BM 5185 table, in our opinion, a material much more effective than traditional clay. This technology allowed for a smooth construction in seven weeks with outstandingly stable characteristics. It proved to be highly useful in the construction of the dies, for which LY5138 was used. For the construction of the particulars involving the body, an epoxy resin of CSC and carbon tissue was chosen. The sturdy yet lightweight characteristics that evolved are the core of the project." Sources: www.stola.it; www.sae.org Image Sources: Stola; www.bernimotori.com

Launched in 1995, the Z3 was the first roadster built in large numbers after a long time. Its predecessor, the Z1, was only produced in 8000 units. Two years and a half after the Z3 roadster stormed the roadster arena, the BMW dared to do something even more outrageous: a shooting-brake based on the Z3. It was a car built by BMW engineers after working hours. Their project impressed the management in such a manner that the vehicle received a green light. The car's front was similar to the roadster, with the same slats on the front fenders which evoked the BMW 507. From the A-pillars to the back, it was a different story. A fixed roof was stretched from the top of the windshield to the back of the car. Since there was no room to make it sloped, it was straight and, right behind the rear wheels, it was dropped with a raked C-pillar. In the back, the tailgate offered access to ample trunk space when considering the size of the car. Inside, the manufacturer didn't try to install unusable tiny rear seats for lower taxes. It just installed a bigger trunk. The front bucket seats were placed lower. Since the car was based on the E36 platform, it shared some components with the 3-Series. It was the same instrument cluster and the same layout for the center stack. Under the hood, the Z3 Coupe was offered exclusively with straight-six engines. The displacement was 2.8-liter between 1998 and 2000, and it was raised to 3.0-liter for the next two years, until 2002. All engine versions were mated as standard to a 5-speed manual. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

This creation was commissioned by two Swiss brothers in 1996, looking to add an inkling of usability to the typically sporty nature synonymous with Aston Martin products. It uses the V8 Coupe as its base and borrows the same 330-horsepower (246-kilowatt) V8 suitable for a top speed of 160 miles per hour (257 kilometers per hour) and a 0 to 60 mph (96 kmh) sprint of fewer than seven seconds. It wears the chassis number SCFCAM2SCTBL79007 and initially left the factory as a stock V8 Coupe before being returned and modified. It’s a rare left-hand drive, automatic, and left the factory in July of 1996. Since then, the Aston Martin Works department has maintained the car meticulously, assuring this rare piece of motoring remains in pristine condition, now going on more than 20 years. The green leather interior matches the British Racing Green found on the body and comes with a smattering of walnut detailing throughout. In 1999, the factory entirely rebuilt the engine, having driven just 5,755 miles (9,263 kilometers). View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

The Ferrari 456GT Venice is a shooting brake design—though not Ferrari’s first—based on the two-door 456 grand touring car. Sporting a 5.5-liter V-12 from the coupe, the Venice separated itself with the roof extension and rear doors, which Pininfarina penned. While Ferrari later produced the FF sporting a liftgate at the rear, the 456GT Venice was ahead of its time when built in the mid-1990s. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)

Alfa Romeo introduced the Alfa 145 model at the 1994 Turin Motor Show. Designed to take over the old 33 Series on the mid-size hatchback sector, the new 145 model came in a 3-door configuration and featured an innovative cut-off dashboard. The exterior design was also considered quite edgy, while the platform on which the 145 was based on the same Fiat Tipo. This model received a new Cloverleaf variant in 1996 and replaced all its boxer engines with Twin Spark units a year later. View the World's Largest Shooting Brake Archive Here (Sources Included)