Yes yes, I know. Geneva was so two weeks ago. However, we felt it necessary to compile our thoughts about the show for you into one handy-dandy report.

While Geneva may be Europe-specific, several trends begin there each year.

Read on for our findings, and let us know if you like these kinds of reports. If you (the readers) find these valuable, then we can continue writing these for auto & design shows as they come.

Part 1: Exterior Trends

Main Observations

• Design aesthetics are evolving; “Kinetic Design” and “Graphic Simplicity” are key trends
• Future trends coming out of the individual design houses are all over the board, with nothing really “sticking” yet
• The sporty mini-wagon has evolved into squatter proportions and a taut, dynamic silhouette
• Silver is still the king of colors in Europe
• Exterior materials are being explored. including green technologies and transparent materials

Kinetic Design

• “Energy in motion”
• Taut lines
• Lines, forms, shapes all radiate from the front towards the rear as if the vehicle was moving at a high speed
• Tapering, muscular forms accentuated by undercuts
• Forms take precedence over graphics and lines

Examples

Ford Fiesta

Seat Bocanegra

• Kinetic Design not exclusive to Ford
• Large frontal black graphic designed to appear as if the vehicle is screaming
• Appears very muscular, like a sprinting runner at high speed
• Squat proportion is key to the design aesthetic

Fioravanti Hidra

• The 80s called… they want their design back.

Lancia Delta

• A more sculptural, tame version of Kinetic Design

Graphic Simplicity

• Simple, elegant forms
• Emphasis on proportion over shape
• The silhouette of the vehicle is as important as the shapes and forms within it
• The vehicle’s body as a canvas for clean graphics
• Evolution of traditional German design

Examples

Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept

• The Saab’s stance is interesting… rear wheels at the corners, and front allowing for some overhang
• Q: “Born From Jets?”
• A: “Yup.”
• Tapering graphic elements (windows, headlamps)
• Wheels are jet engine turbines
• Sloping roof line accents an already powerful silhouette

Future Trends

Pininfarina Sintesi

• Possibly a retro-Eighties inspired speed form
• Usage of “ribbon” surfaces in front intake and around headlamps
• Nothing new, nothing inspiring, nothing worth noting. Pass.

Hyundai i-Mode

• Completely not-the-norm automotive design
• Lines and shapes appear randomly placed
• Have no idea what they were trying, but it doesn’t work. At all.

Materials

Italdesign-Giugiaro Quaranta

• Unimpressive vehicle, stylistically
• Usage of solar panels (a la early 90s solar-paneled college vehicle concepts)… but this time in a “purposeful, aesthetic way”

Kia Soul Searcher

• Utilizes canvas material onto top and trailing over to tailgate

Part 2 of our trend report will focus on the interior trends we found to be important.

Images courtesy of:

• A2mac1
• Autoweek