Exactly 30 years ago, the AutoRAI of 1991 took place. Techzle was of course all over the exhibition floor and saw several interesting concept cars. Which were they again and what has become of it?
Citroën Activa 2
Tastes differ, but we can imagine that the Citroën Activa 2 attracted quite a bit of attention in Amsterdam at the time. We called it ‘the showpiece of the stand’. The fairly sleek coupé showed Citroën from its most elegant side. The car was a follow-up to the Activa Concept from 1988, which largely followed the same forms as this Activa 2, only now it all came a little closer to the car that ultimately took its biggest example: the Xantia.
Maybe you can remember that the Xantia also had an Activa version? The well-known hydropneumatic suspension system was a lot more advanced than normal and there were different driving modes. It turned the Xantia into a seriously fine-handling car. That advanced version of the suspension system was the biggest innovation the Activa brought. The first variant of Citroën’s ‘Hydractive’.
Renault Laguna
The major competitor, Renault, showed its more futuristic side with the Laguna Concept from 1990. Just like the Citroën Activa, a study model that already made its public debut before the AutoRAI, but also managed to attract the necessary viewers to the stand in our country. to pull. Not surprising, because it was certainly a very spectacular thing for that time. Unlike the Citroën, this was a concept car that ultimately did not have much relevance for later production models.
The special two-seater shared almost nothing in its name with the middle class that was raised on the scene in November 1993. It was Renault’s vision of a sporty roadster for the 1990s. With a 210 hp 2.0, the car had to be able to shoot to 100 km / h in 6 seconds, through real gull-wing doors you gave yourself access to the futuristic interior and because of the low windshield. VR-like glasses served for the necessary protection of your face. You also had to be able to communicate with your passenger. Ultimately, the Renault Sport Spider unveiled in 1996 was still a kind of production follow-up to this special concept car.
Seat Proto C.
The city car of the future is a theme of all generations. This is also evident from the Seat Proto C that was unveiled a few months before the AutoRAI. The Italdesign design showed that even compact cars could look a lot more streamlined and spectacular. The main goal was to keep the air resistance as low as possible. That worked well, because with a Cw value of 0.25 it was a slippery car. A special rear spoiler from the roof to the rear had to give it the necessary downforce.
Although the name already shows that this was a preview of a C-segmenter, you have to look very closely to recognize hints to the Leon that appeared in the late 90s. The biggest recognition point of production Seats can be found at the back of the Proto C. You can recognize the Ibiza in particular, which was released fairly shortly after the Proto C. Also seen diagonally from above, similarities can be seen at the rear.
Suzuki Quad Raider Constellation
The oldest concept car at the 1991 AutoRAI was this rather pretentiously named Suzuki. The Quad Raider Constellation could be a name for a Star Wars spacecraft, but it was this crossover avant la lettre from Suzuki. Quite a bulky case, especially for a Suzuki. The QRC, to shorten it, served as an experiment to see whether Suzuki also wanted to enter higher segments. It’s a giant Suzuki!
With its round shapes and spacious interior – yes, even with a navigation system on a separate screen – the Suzuki was very modern in the late 1980s. There was even a screen that came out of the ceiling to keep the passengers in the back informed of the route. All in all, the QRC had to usher in a new phase, combining terrain worthiness with luxury. A 220 hp 3.0 V6 provided the drive on all four wheels. Especially for Suzuki standards a great engine. It was really promising, but it never came to a production model. The brief financial crisis at the end of 1992 is said to have been one of the reasons for putting an end to it.