Have you ever wondered what your favourite discontinued car would look like today (or several years from now) if it never got the axe?
Well, you're in luck, as generative AI has given us a glimpse into an alternate future where discontinued vehicles live on.
Scrap Car Comparison, a UK-based used car website, recently turned to the AI tool Midjourney to envision the evolution of vehicles not currently in production.
The results are intriguing, to say the least. Each of the AI-generated designs features the older models as modern electric vehicles (EVs), so the resulting cars are very much future-forward.
The Ford Fiesta, nearing its end, spurred the company to undertake this project, piquing its interest in what the best-selling hatchback could look like if its fate were any different.
“After a successful production run of almost 50 years, the much-loved Ford Fiesta will soon cease to exist. This got us thinking - what could discontinued iconic cars look like today, if production hadn't stopped?" said David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison.
The AI-generated Fiesta retains much of its signature styling, albeit in a more streamline and minimalist form. Some of the AI images also lean towards a more conservative side. Take the Dodge Challenger, for example. The American muscle car won't be discontinued until the end of the year, so it has a relatively recent design.
That reflects on the AI image, as it looks less like a futuristic "what if" as it is a preview of the upcoming Challenger EV. It only ditches the round headlights in favour of a more modern horizontal layout.
But some models have gained a far more radical update. The Volkswagen Beetle, last seen in 2003, would be an ideal fit alongside VW's ID lineup in its electrified form (see lead image). The AI does a great job of incorporating the Beetle's iconic looks while applying VW's latest EV design language.
The DMC DeLorean even makes an appearance, looking straight out of Blade Runner this time instead of Back to the Future.
Other iconic models that received the AI treatment include the Honda S2000, Nissan Skyline, and Lamborghini Gallardo.
Which car would you like to see back in production as an EV? Check out the images below to see more of the project's AI-generated models.
