23 concept cars that show us how we'll get around in the future

REUTERS/Nir Elias

An EN-V, or "Electric Networked-Vehicle", is driven by a GM staff member in Shanghai.

Concept cars aren't for the general market. They're more like works of art that show us what cars are like when we dream.

Manufacturers let designers and scientists loose, allowing them to make cars that try out new concepts. Whether it's for design (a door that opens upwards, wings) or for scientific purposes (artificial intelligence, zero-emission energy), concept cars are windows into the future.

In trying out new developments, manufacturers can figure out how different ideas work in a car design, what consumers want, and what they can add to their vehicles down the road (pun intended).

Also, they look really cool. Here are some of the most stunning concept cars from the past few years.