From electric revolutions to futuristic designs, the 10 cars that make this list were ahead of their time in automotive technology. Read on to discover how they pushed the boundaries of innovation—some ahead of their era, others paving the way for future breakthroughs.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Edmunds. The ranking of this list takes into account both the immediate technological advancements of the featured cars and their long-term influence on the automotive industry.
10Mercedes-Benz 600 (1963–1981)
Redefining Luxury With Groundbreaking Air Suspension for Ultimate Comfort
Produced between 1963 and 1981, the Mercedes-Benz 600 was the most expensive car in the world when it was introduced. It was available in two wheelbase versions: short (3,200 mm) and long (3,900 mm), with the latter of the Pullman type, offering four seats in the rear, mounted forward-facing, and separated from the driver’s compartment by a power divider window.
6.3-liter V8
4-speed automatic
250 hp
369 lb-ft
Rear-wheel drive
0-60 MPH
10 seconds
Top Speed
127 mph
The first car in the world to feature adjustable air suspension, the Mercedes-Benz 600 offered a smooth, controlled ride and superior comfort. This luxury vehicle pushed the boundaries of automotive comfort and technology and was considered a symbol of technological innovation in the luxury car segment, with its air suspension system adopted by many futureluxury vehicles.
9DeLorean DMC-12 (1981–1983)
Futuristic Design With Stainless Steel and Iconic Gull-Wing Doors
The DeLorean DMC-12’s striking design, featuring gull-wing doors, a stainless-steel body with no paint, a distinctive wedge shape, and a rear-mounted engine, combined to create a visually unique and futuristic aesthetic that set it apart from other cars of the time. Further, its construction methods, including the way the stainless steel panels were bonded to the body, were considered advanced for their era.
2.85-liter V6
3-speed automatic or 5-speed manual
130 hp
153 lb-ft
8.8 seconds (manual)
109 mph
Though it was a commercial failure, the DeLorean was visually striking and introduced unconventional design features that would influence laterhigh-performance sports cars. It was also immortalized as the time machine inBack to the Future.
8Chrysler Turbine Car (1963–1964)
Exploring the Jet Engine With a Turbine-Powered Passenger Car
As the name suggests, the Chrysler Turbine Car was a two-door coupé powered by a gas turbine engine. This car was an experiment in alternative fuels and powertrains, with 55 units made, including five prototypes, from 1963 to 1964.
A-831 gas turbine
3-speed automatic
425 lb-ft
12 seconds
120 mph
Although the turbine engine was inefficient and expensive, the Turbine Car was far ahead of its time in terms of innovation and propelled the automaker into the jet age. The A-831 engines that powered the car could operate on many fuels, required less maintenance, and lasted longer than conventional piston engines.
7Porsche 959 (1986–1993)
Defining the Future of Supercars With Advanced Tech and All-Wheel Drive
The Porsche 959 earns legendary status due to its groundbreaking technology, including a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system with variable torque split, active suspension, sequential twin-turbocharging, and a lightweight aerodynamic design.
2.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6
6-speed manual
444 hp
All-wheel drive
0-62 MPH
3.7 seconds
197 mph
When it was released, the 959 was the fastest street-legal production car. It was a technological marvel, setting the stage for future supercars with all-wheel drive and advanced suspension systems. Its price tag and rarity kept it from being widely adopted, but its tech was revolutionary.
6Audi Quattro (1980–1991)
Introducing Permanent All-Wheel Drive to Boost Performance and Handling
The Audi Quattro, first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor, was produced from 1980 to 1991. It goes down in history as the first car to feature permanent all-wheel drive in a passenger vehicle paired with turbocharged power.
2.1-liter turbocharged inline-5
5-speed manual
197 hp
210 lb-ft
7.1 seconds
137 mph
The Quattro redefined the way cars handled performance on varied terrains, especially in rally racing. It set the stage for all-wheel-drive technology to become a common feature insports sedansand performance vehicles.
5Honda Insight (1999–2022)
The First Mass-Market Hybrid, Kickstarting the Green Car Movement
The Honda Insight features on this list because it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle sold in the United States. The Insight madefuel-efficient hybrid technologyaccessible to a broader range of consumers, pioneering Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which significantly improved gasoline mileage without compromising on practicality or design.
1.0-liter 3-cylinder + electric motor
75 hp
83 lb-ft
Front-wheel drive
112 mph
In addition to its hybrid system, the Insight was small, light and streamlined, with a drag-coefficient of 0.25 and, at the time of production, was the most aerodynamic production car to be built. Although not widely adopted at first, the Insight paved the way for other hybrids, notably the Toyota Prius, and showed the potential of combining internal combustion with electric motors.
4BMW i8 (2014–2020)
Blending Hybrid Efficiency With Futuristic Sports Car Design
Who said sports cars can’t be environmentally conscious? The BMW i8, produced between 2014 and 2022, was a sports car that combined lightweight construction, aerodynamic design, and aplug-in hybrid powertrain, effectively merging high performance with excellent fuel efficiency while maintaining a futuristic aesthetic.
1.5-liter turbocharged + electric motor
6-speed automatic
357 hp
420 lb-ft
4.4 seconds
155 mph
The i8 was a glimpse into the future of performance cars with hybrid systems, blending environmental consciousness with luxury performance. Many of its technological features have influenced electric and hybrid vehicle designs.
3General Motors EV1 (1996–1999)
The First Electric Car to Spark the EV Revolution
The General Motors EV1 was a groundbreaking electric car that introduced many technologies that are now common in EVs. These includedregenerative braking, magnetic induction charging, electro-hydraulic power steering, keyless ignition, low-rolling-resistance tires with tire-pressure sensing, and a heat pump HVAC system.
3-phase AC induction motor
Single-speed automatic
137 hp
110 lb-ft
8.5 seconds
80 mph (limited)
Although it was discontinued, the EV1 was ahead of its time, showcasing the potential for electric cars in the mainstream market. One of the first fully electric cars designed and mass-produced by a major automaker, GM’s move to destroy most of the vehicles remains controversial.
2Ford Model T (1908–1927)
Pioneering Mass Production and Affordable Automobiles for the Masses
The first mass-produced car, the Ford Model T—nicknamed “Tin Lizzie”—was designed to be affordable for the middle class and helped put America on wheels. It was known for its durability, versatility, and ease of maintenance and is still popular with vintage car fans.
2.9-liter inline-4
2-speed manual
20 hp
45 mph
The Ford Model T introduced the moving assembly line for mass production, drastically reducing the cost of cars. It revolutionized automobile manufacturing, making cars affordable for the masses and, while not technologically advanced in the modern sense, its impact on the industry was profound.
1Tesla Roadster (2008–2012)
Revolutionizing Electric Performance With Long-Range Battery Technology
Topping the list is the first-generation Tesla Roadster—the first mass-produced electric sports car with long-range battery technology. The Roadster introduced the world topractical EVswith performance on par with gas-powered sports cars while also paving the way for the modern EV revolution.
3-phase 4-pole AC induction motor + 53 kWh lithium-ion battery
248–288 hp
200–295 lb-ft
3.9–3.7 seconds
125 mph
The Roadster was the first highway-legal, mass-produced EV to use lithium-ion battery cells, achieving a significant range for an EV at the time (244 miles). Boasting impressive acceleration, it effectively proved the viability of high-performance EVs to the mainstream market, shattering stereotypes that EVs were only slow, short-range vehicles.
