Consider how fast mobile phones and television sets have evolved in shape and developed in function over such a short time, and you’d realize that the motor car has not changed much in its basic layout in over a century. However, in the next decade or so, everything is likely to change and today’s cars are likely to morph into more shapes and forms.

There are a number of elements in play that would lead to that evolution of the motorcar.

The increasing use of new materials such as carbon fiber, plastics, resins and aluminum is likely to create new design possibilities.

Also, environmental pressures on emission and fuel consumption would push automakers to be more creative in order to reduce exhaust emissions and save fuel.

Electric or fuel-cell cars do not have to look like traditional cars. Instead of one large engine under the bonnet, an alternative fuel car may have two or more electric motors fitted close to the driving wheels.

Within a decade, the world will witness self-guided vehicles, possibly on a grid of roads with electronic control devices.

These cars do not have to conform to traditional shapes or designs.

Future cars might also develop on several tracks to provide personal transport in cities; cars that change shape to fit into limited parking spaces; cars made of translucent glass; and passenger compartments built as glass bubbles.

In fact car designers now regard cars as accessories or forms of clothing. Each brand has its strong personality by use of color, day-running lights and fascia shape. Designers are now looking into using unusual materials such as carbon nanotubes, bamboo, coconut husks and aerogels. A future engine may well be built of composite material and spare parts made in 3-D printed plastics. In fact, future cars are limited only by their designers’ imagination.

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Adel Murad is a senior motoring and business journalist, based in London.

Email: [email protected]