Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History

In an era where electric vehicles are becoming the norm, it’s easy to forget that every automotive innovation was once a daring experiment. 

Did you know that in 2023, global electric vehicle sales surpassed 10 million units1 for the first time? This milestone is just the latest in a long line of automotive firsts that have shaped the way we drive.

But which cars truly changed the game? Which vehicles dared to go where no automobile had gone before? 

 Let’s shift into gear and explore the vehicles that turned “impossible” into “I’m possible.” 

1. First Production Car: Benz Patent-Motorwagen (1886)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Benz Patent Motorwagen 1886 wc
Image Credit: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Karl Benz’s three-wheeled Patent-Motorwagen is widely recognized as the world’s first production automobile. Powered by a 0.95-horsepower, single-cylinder four-stroke engine, this groundbreaking vehicle could reach speeds up to 10 mph.

While it may seem rudimentary by today’s standards, the Patent-Motorwagen laid the foundation for the entire automotive industry, setting in motion a transportation revolution that would change the world forever.

2. First Car with a Safety Cell: Mercedes-Benz 220 (1959)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » 1959 Mercedez Benz 220 wc
Image Credit: MrWalkr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before crumple zones became standard safety features, Mercedes-Benz introduced the concept of a rigid passenger cell in its 220 sedan. This innovative design, created by engineer Béla Barényi, incorporated a strong central structure surrounded by deformable front and rear sections.

The 220’s safety cell significantly improved occupant protection in collisions, revolutionizing automotive safety and influencing vehicle design for decades to come.

3. First Mass-Produced Hybrid: Toyota Prius (1997)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Toyota Prius 1997 wc
Image Credit: Mytho88, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Toyota’s Prius wasn’t the first hybrid car ever made, but it was the first to achieve mass-market success. Launched in Japan in 1997 and globally in 2000, the Prius combined a gasoline engine with an electric motor to achieve unprecedented fuel efficiency. 

4. First Modern Electric Car: GM EV1 (1996)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » GM EV1 1996 wc
Image Credit: Corvair Owner, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

General Motors’ EV1 was the first mass-produced electric vehicle of the modern era. Leased to customers in California and Arizona from 1996 to 1999, the EV1 boasted a range of up to 140 miles on a single charge.

Despite its limited production run, the EV1 demonstrated the viability of electric vehicles and sparked public interest in alternative fuel technologies, setting the stage for today’s EV revolution.

5. First Car with Anti-Lock Brakes: Jensen FF (1966)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Jensen FF 1966 wc
Image Credit: Thomas Vogt from Paderborn, Deutschland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Jensen FF, a British grand tourer, made history as the first production car equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Developed in collaboration with Dunlop, the FF’s ABS used wheel speed sensors and a computer to prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. 

6. First Turbocharged Production Car: Oldsmobile Jetfire (1962)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Oldsmobile Jetfire wc
Image Credit: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire blazed a trail as the first production car to feature a turbocharged engine. Its innovative 215 cubic inch V8 used a Garrett AiResearch turbocharger to boost output to 215 horsepower.

While the Jetfire’s complex “Turbo Rocket Fluid” injection system led to reliability issues, it paved the way for turbocharging technology that would later become ubiquitous in both performance and efficiency-focused vehicles.

7. First Car with Airbags: Oldsmobile Toronado (1973)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Oldsmobile Toronado 1973 wc
Image Credit: Illegitimate Barrister, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A decade after introducing turbocharging, Oldsmobile made history again with the 1973 Toronado, the first production car equipped with a passenger airbag. (ref) Called the “Air Cushion Restraint System,” this groundbreaking safety feature was offered as an option on full-size Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac models. 

8. First Car with Electronic Fuel Injection: Chevrolet Corvette (1957)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » 1957 Chevrolet Corvette Airbox wc
Image Credit: David Balmer, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The 1957 Chevrolet Corvette with Rochester Ramjet fuel injection system was the first mass-produced car to feature electronic fuel injection (EFI). This innovative system improved power output and fuel efficiency by precisely controlling fuel delivery to the engine.

While mechanical issues led to its discontinuation after 1965, the Corvette’s EFI system was a precursor to the electronic fuel injection technology that would become standard in all modern vehicles.

9. First Four-Wheel Drive Passenger Car: Jensen FF (1966)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Jensen FF wc
Image Credit: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Jensen FF not only pioneered anti-lock brakes but also holds the distinction of being the first non-SUV passenger car with full-time four-wheel drive. Its innovative system, developed by Ferguson Research, improved traction and handling in all weather conditions. 

10. First Car with a Rotary Engine: NSU Wankel Spider (1964)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » NSU Wankel Spider 1964 wc
Image Credit: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The NSU Wankel Spider made automotive history as the first production car powered by a rotary engine. Featuring Felix Wankel’s revolutionary design, the Spider’s compact 498cc single-rotor engine produced 54 horsepower, impressive for its size.

While the rotary engine never became mainstream, it found success in later Mazda models and showcased the potential for alternative engine designs in production vehicles.

11. First Car with a Continuously Variable Transmission: DAF 600 (1958)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » DAF 600 1958 wc
Image Credit: Sicnag, CC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commons

The Dutch-made DAF 600 revolutionized automotive engineering by introducing the first mass-produced continuously variable transmission (CVT). Called the “Variomatic,” this innovative belt-driven system provided seamless acceleration without discrete gear shifts. 

12. First Production Car to Break 200 mph: Ferrari F40 (1987)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Ferrari F40 wc
Image Credit: Matti Blume (CC BY-SA via Wikimedia Commons

When Ferrari unleashed the F40 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, it didn’t just create a supercar – it created a legend. With a top speed of 201 mph, the F40 became the first production car to break the 200 mph barrier.

Its twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower, and its extensive use of composite materials set new standards for high-performance vehicle design and engineering.

13. First Car with a Touchscreen Interface: Buick Riviera (1986)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Buick Riviera 1986 wc
Image Credit: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Long before smartphones made touchscreens ubiquitous, the 1986 Buick Riviera introduced the world’s first touchscreen interface in a production car. The “Graphic Control Center” was a green-on-black CRT display that controlled the car’s climate, radio, and other functions.

While primitive by today’s standards, this innovative system was a harbinger of the digital dashboards and infotainment systems that would become commonplace decades later.

14. First Mass-Produced All-Electric Sports Car: Tesla Roadster (2008)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Tesla Roadster 2008 wc
Image Credit: loudumo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tesla Motors burst onto the automotive scene with the Roadster, the first highway-legal serial production all-electric car to use lithium-ion battery cells. With a range of 244 miles per charge and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, the Roadster proved that electric vehicles could deliver high performance.

This groundbreaking sports car helped change public perception of EVs and kickstarted the modern electric car revolution.

15. First Car with GPS Navigation: Mazda Eunos Cosmo (1990)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » 1990 EUNOS COSMO wc
Image Credit: Alf van Beem, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

While GPS navigation is now standard in many vehicles, the technology made its debut in the Japan-market Mazda Eunos Cosmo. This luxury coupe featured a built-in GPS system with a color touchscreen display, a remarkable feat for 1990. 

16. First Production Car with Active Aerodynamics: Porsche 959 (1986)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Porsche 959 wc
Image Credit: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Porsche 959, a technological tour de force of its time, introduced the first production implementation of active aerodynamics. Its adjustable ride height and movable rear spoiler automatically adapted to the car’s speed, optimizing downforce and reducing drag. 

17. First Car with a Radar-Based Cruise Control: Mitsubishi Diamante (1995)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Mitsubishi Diamante 1995 wc
Image Credit: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1995 Mitsubishi Diamante, sold in Japan as the Sigma, pioneered the use of radar-based adaptive cruise control in a production vehicle. Called “Preview Distance Control,” this system used lidar technology to maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead. (ref

18. First Mass-Produced Car with a Carbon Fiber Monocoque: McLaren MP4-12C (2011)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » McLaren MP4 12C 2011 wc
Image Credit: Calreyn88, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

McLaren revolutionized supercar construction with the MP4-12C, the first mass-produced car to feature a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Dubbed the “Carbon MonoCell,” this innovative structure offered exceptional rigidity and strength while weighing just 165 pounds. 

19. First Car with Night Vision: Cadillac DeVille (2000)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Cadillac DeVille 2000 wc
Image Credit: HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cadillac broke new ground in automotive safety with the 2000 DeVille, which introduced the first production night vision system.

Using a grille-mounted infrared camera and a head-up display, the system allowed drivers to see beyond their headlights’ reach, detecting heat signatures of people, animals, and objects up to 500 feet away. 

20. First Mass-Produced Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle: Toyota Mirai (2014)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » toyota mirai dp456745992
Image Credit: Foto-VDW/Deposit Photos

Toyota once again proved its commitment to alternative fuel technologies with the Mirai, the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. The Mirai, which means “future” in Japanese, emits only water vapor as a byproduct of its electric propulsion system.

With a range of 312 miles and refueling times comparable to conventional gasoline vehicles, the Mirai demonstrated the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology as a viable alternative to battery electric vehicles.

21. First Mass-Produced Car with Disc Brakes: Citroën DS (1955)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » 1955 Citroen DS ss2256129585
Image Credit: Radoslaw Maciejewski/Shutterstock

The revolutionary Citroën DS didn’t just turn heads with its futuristic design; it also introduced the first mass-produced disc brakes. While disc brakes had been used in racing, the DS brought this superior braking technology to the public.

]Its front disc brakes provided unprecedented stopping power and resistance to brake fade, setting a new standard for vehicle safety that would eventually become industry-wide.

22. First Production Car with a Dual-Clutch Transmission: Volkswagen Golf R32 (2003)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » 2003 Volkswagen Golf R32 wc
Image Credit: Kieran White from Manchester, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Volkswagen’s Golf R32 made history as the first production car to feature a dual-clutch transmission. Marketed as the “Direct-Shift Gearbox” (DSG), this innovative transmission combined the efficiency of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. 

23. First Mass-Produced Car with Autopilot Features: Tesla Model S (2014)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Tesla Model S 2014 wc
Image Credit: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

While driver assistance features had existed before, the Tesla Model S with Autopilot marked a significant leap forward in autonomous driving technology.

Introduced via a software update in 2014, Autopilot combined adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and self-parking capabilities. 

24. First Car with a Laser Headlight: BMW i8 (2014)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » BMW i8 2014 wc
Image Credit: Thesupermat, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car broke new ground in lighting technology as the first production vehicle to offer laser headlights. These innovative lights could illuminate the road up to 1,968 feet ahead, nearly twice the distance of LED high beams. 

25. First Mass-Produced Variable Compression Ratio Engine: Infiniti QX50 (2019)

Wheels of Change: 25 Trailblazing Cars That Shaped Automotive History » Infiniti QX50 2019 wc
Image Credit: User3204, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Infiniti achieved a long-sought goal in engine design with the 2019 QX50, featuring the world’s first production-ready variable compression ratio engine. The VC-Turbo engine can seamlessly adjust its compression ratio between 8:1 and 14:1, optimizing for power or efficiency as needed. 

Source:
1. International Energy Agency

Nancy Maffia » nancy
Nancy Maffia
Author & Editor | + posts

Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.