Which concept cars led to the most disappointing production vehicles?

In celebration of our newly purchased 1992 BMW R1000R, my husband bought me an old and unfortunately smelly “BMW Motorcycles 1993” booklet, filled with posters. One of the stories hidden in its pages takes owners to the future, a story plagued by lack of resources and unbearable pollution – offering – 30 years later – a concept electric vehicle, the BMW C-1. I think this purported “intelligent synthesis of automobiles and motorcycles” could help alleviate some of the pesky issues for travelers in our future climate-critical environment.

Lalita Camelo/BMW

The basic concept involved a closed bubbly cabin set between two wide wheels. And from the get-go, the chances of keeping it straight are doubtful. Sure, the concept that most graced the two-page spread, the precursor to the original bubble, could potentially remain straightforward, but it doesn’t live up to the hype of the original.

This new concept looks like a scooter with a Recaro-like seat, with two curved metal rails coming up above the seat to form a top frame that connects to the front windscreen. Its curves are relayed over most of the frame, rather than in the enclosed capsule of its original image. Thanks to this week’s question, which asked which concept cars you think have led to the most disappointing production vehicles, you can guess where this is going.

BMW introduced the resulting C1 125, the C-1 in its final form, in 1999. The strange umbrella-like “roof” remained, as did the actual seat. BMW also introduced a 200 cc executive version in 2000. None of these really explained what the initial concept was intended to be. They were not electric. And the scooters were not completely fenced off, leading to the assumption that riders would be protected from future intolerable pollution, like our current failing air quality in America’s northern states this week.

It had quite an interesting safety system, allowing for an actual chair for a seat belt, so some countries allowed riders to ride scooters without the need for a helmet. Just be prepared for the fact that if the scooter overturns or goes on its side in an accident, you could be trapped on or partially under the scooter. And it looks like the seat also makes for an awkward reach to the handlebar.

Rather than being electrically powered, the C-1 models ran on good old fossil fuel. They were also heavier than many of BMW’s actual motorcycles, which defeats the purpose of buying a scooter. It lasted two years on the market before BMW put it out of its misery. However, this has not stopped new versions of it from being tried over the years, including its most recent version Vision CE ConceptWhich is actually electricity. Look familiar?

So I want to know: Which concept cars, vehicles or trucks led to the most disappointing production vehicles. You’ve been to enough auto shows or delved into concept vehicles online to know what was promised and what a disappointing result it was. Tell me why you were so disappointed, and the worst of them will be put together for your enjoyment at the end of the week.