What would a possible next-generation Pontiac Solstice look like?  Well, had the company stuck around, Macedonian designer Dejan Hristov’s aggressive version might be ready for show rooms.  Hristov created a sexy convertible that would look great not only as a concept car, but maybe even in the latest Transformers flick.

Hristov melded sculptural form language with Pontiac heritage, updating the now famous “nostrils” of the brand but maintaining the proportions that it is known for.  If the last Solstice was a little too soft or curvacious for your tastes, then this update might be manly enough for you.

You can follow Hristov at his DeviantArt page at: http://dejanhristov.deviantart.com

Thanks, Dejan!

Audi has released some new sketches of its upcoming Geneva A3-based concept car. The vehicle, which incorporates a “low, flowing roof dome and a coupe-like, low C pillar” looks like an A3 with a chopped roofline.  The shrunken DLO really gives the car an aggressive appearance.  The proportions of the vehicle in the sketch are probably very close to the actual car, and the the stance is all modern Audi.

The sketches are classic Audi, which is to say that even in a little bit of looseness in rendering style they’re still very tight and precise.  There are some nice cores and use of white space, with nary any fluff that we see in other, more glitzy concept sketches.  These are great to use as references for your demos.

[via Audi press release]

Our friends at Autoline are back with some terrific NAIAS coverage yet again! This year, they have two full days of coverage with interviews, first looks, and late-breaking news from the show floor. Expect to see some reveals, interviews with Designers, and more as the team works its butt off to make the show a great one.

Join in on Monday and Tuesday for live video coverage and chat from 12:30PM EST until 2PM EST.

Autoline LIVE from NAIAS 2011
Pop-out Chat Window

Steven Ewing, one of our friends over at Autoblog, has posted a terrific list of some of the best and most innovative concept cars from 2010.  Its’ interesting to see some of the major trends that were evolving through the year, as eco-consciousness influenced both interior and exterior design.

Vehicles are becoming more muscular and pure, with design-languages focusing on tension and the use of lighting in exciting ways.  Have a look at the great recap, and be prepared for the kickoff of 2011 with NAIAS right around the corner.

Link via Autoblog

(Thanks, Steven!)

Have a great Holiday everybody!!!  Keep an eye out for Santa’s new sleigh….

Very few individuals can hold the title of “Legendary Automotive Designer”.  Chuck Jordan was one of those.

This past Thursday, Dec 9th, Mr Jordan passed away at the age of 83.  Jordan was best known for an incredible career at General Motors, spanning 5 decades from 1949 until 1992, and culminating with his appointment as just the fourth ever VP of Design within the company in 1986.

He was influential in the magical era of vehicle design (50s-60s) and brought General Motors to the forefront in the 1980s and 1990s.  One of his most famous creations, the 1956 Buick Centurion, is still regarded as one of the greatest of the General’s concept vehicles.

Chuck Jordan will be missed.  RIP.

[via Autoblog]

[Image credit: NY Times]

When Automotive/Concept Designer Daniel Simon was tasked to update the iconic lightcycle from 80′s cult hit Tron, the task seemed daunting.  Two decades had passed since the first film was released, and with CGI technology advancing at an exponential rate the styling direction for the sequel’s vehicle had to both reflect the change and retain the heritage of the first.

In this clip, Simon reveals his process for designing the new icon, showcasing his sketching and theme development along the way.  Have a gander and get ready for the 3-D epic deploying next week.

Buy it at the CDf store now!!

Interiors of concept vehicles are possibly heads and tails more challenging to design than the exteriors.  The daunting task of creating an interior that is both highly innovative and beautiful, while at the same time being comfortable as the driver’s home away form home, is one that shouldn’t  be undertaken lightly.

Gael Buzyn, Interior Design Manager for the Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept (ULC), debuting at the LA Auto Show, was recently pinged about just that topic.  How do you make a vehicle’s interior engaging, meaningful and new?  In the clip, Gael discusses the intent behind the creation, as well as how it possibly foreshadows not only Cadillac but also the luxury market as a whole.

Interviewed by Adam Barrera of highmileage.org and Nick Saporito and Alex Villani of GMInsideNews.

[Thanks, Adam!]

If you don’t need any work done then still be sure to check out their website to view the amazing amount of Sketch P*rn loaded on the site.  If you need any rendering reference they have it all.  Skills cover everything from pencil sketches to highly polished renderings.  Click after the jump to see an assortment of images and the formal press release.

Press Release:

Hydra Design Labs, Southern California’s newest Automotive Design Studio has officially launched. Featuring a team of automotive design veterans; Jon Hull, Mike Desmond, Gary Ragle, and Chris Schuttera. Together they have worked on over 25 concept vehicles and over 20 production cars.

Hydra Design Labs focus is to provide all design services needed to take the clients project from ‘ideation to fabrication.’ In addition to their experience designing automotive exteriors and interiors, motorcycles, and products, Hydra also offers full CAD services, reverse engineering including laser scanning, prototyping, and manufacturing. Hydra Design Labs is also registered as a Government contractor. Their website offers up their portfolio in the form of the largest collection of work of any automotive design group featuring over 800 images.

Jon Hull, the President and one of the designers of Hydra Design Labs is very optimistic about the new studio saying “We’ve put together a unique studio in terms of talent, an all-star team of designers where each member is strong enough to run a studio by themselves.” According to Hull, this opens up new possibilities in terms of running projects. “Each designer could run an entire project, or collaborating together they could provide a devastating amount of talent.”

Hydra Design Labs takes its name from Lernaean Hydra the mythical creature, and like its namesake is also a multi-headed beast. The company is comprised of four designers each of whom has been working as a professional automotive designer for at least the last decade. Each designer was hand picked to form a new kind of design studio, an allstar team of the hottest automotive design talent. Each designer has worked on both Production programs and Concept cars, designing both exteriors and interiors. Individually each designer can stand alone, running an entire project from ideation to manufacturing. But bring the designers together and the full force of the studio can be felt by having all the designers collaborate on one project.

Hydras’ design team has an arsenal of skills ready to attack any project. Their designers specialize in many different aspects of vehicle design including concept and production cars, custom cars, eco-friendly vehicles, motorcycles, and movie concepts. Mike Desmond, the former Design Director at West Coast Choppers, not only brings his experience as a professional automotive designer, but his motorcycle design skills as well. Gary Ragle has worked as a car designer in California, Japan, and Detroit. Gary has designed numerous concept and production vehicles and his ability to distill design to its essence while always bringing something new and fresh to the table is a great strength he brings to the team. Chris Schuttera has worked for several automotive design houses, and has also designed airplane interiors. Chris’ knowledge of interior design and ability to rapidly develop themes for even the most complex design challenge is unparalleled in the industry. The design team was put together by Jon Hull who has had over 14 years experience as a professional automotive designer. He has worked on both exteriors and interiors for concept cars and production vehicles and is also a CAD specialist with a background in plastics engineering. “I feel very excited to be leading such a powerful team,” says Hull, “and can’t wait to show the design community what we are capable of.”