We often lament the lack of change and progress in automotive design. In fact, the recent trend has been to look backward at great designs of the past and modernize them. This same ultra-conservativeness doesn't usually apply to the world of aeronautics. New materials, faster and more reliable computers, and increasing performance requirements has pushed aircraft design forward. Even airliners, long a conservative arena due to the efficiencies of the tube and wing design for passenger travel, is changing with the Airbus A-380 and Boeing 787. Military aircraft have long pushed the limits of what is and isn't possible.
Interjecting some of the limitless thinking from the aeronautics world into the automotive world is something the car companies should be looking at. There are limits. Jets cost millions of dollars and are fairly low-volume products, where as cars have to be priced so regular people can buy them. However, I would think that there are some areas where a no-holds-barred approach to design would benefit both consumer and producer alike.