3 Stunning Supercars That Never Made It to Showrooms: BMW Nazca, Mercedes C112 and …

The journey from concept to production for a car is often long and complex, involving thousands of hours of labor, technological innovation, and considerable financial investment. Despite this, not every car reaches the consumer market—especially in the high-stakes world of supercars and sports cars, where niche demand and production costs can prevent even the most promising vehicles from seeing the light of day.

Let’s take a look at three unfortunate supercars that had everything going for them—except an official release.

BMW Nazca M12: The Supercar That Almost Succeeded the BMW M1

First on the list is BMW’s Nazca M12, a concept car unveiled in 1991 that many thought would be the successor to BMW’s iconic M1. With its sleek carbon fiber chassis, dramatic gullwing doors, and futuristic look, the Nazca was ahead of its time. Under the hood, it was powered by a 5.0L V12 engine, producing 300 horsepower, making it a powerful mid-engine supercar for its era.

However, the BMW M1’s commercial failure made the automaker hesitant to proceed with another mid-engine supercar. As a result, the Nazca M12 never made it to production. A few prototype models exist, but they’ve become exclusive collector’s items, fetching high prices at auctions.

Mercedes-Benz C112: The Technological Marvel That Never Left the Showroom

The Mercedes-Benz C112 unveiled in 1991, was another ill-fated supercar that came tantalizingly close to production. Loaded with cutting-edge technology, the C112 featured active suspension, adaptive aerodynamics, and four-wheel steering—all impressive feats for a car developed in the early 1990s. It also included adaptive cruise control, something nearly unheard of in that era.

The C112 was equipped with a 6.0L V12 engine, similar to the powertrains found in Mercedes’ S-Class, giving it remarkable performance. Despite its impressive technological advances and homage to the iconic 300SL Gullwing, the C112 was ultimately shelved, with Mercedes-Benz deciding against mass production.

Ferrari Modulo: A 1970s Concept Car That Looked Like Art

Last but certainly not least is the Ferrari Modulo, a concept car from the 1970s that looks more like a sculpture than a road-going vehicle. Designed by Pininfarina, the Modulo was a futuristic, low-slung, two-seater supercar powered by a Ferrari V12 engine. Its radical, avant-garde design, with its flat profile and covered wheels, was groundbreaking and remains a touchstone in automotive design history.

While the Modulo never entered mass production due to its impracticality, it became a legend. In 2018, car enthusiast James Glickenhaus famously restored and drove the Modulo on public roads, proving that even though it wasn’t built for everyday use, it could still turn heads decades after its creation.