Car Design Fetish

The Mercedes-Benz F 800 has style written over it, no really they even included it in the name.  So it must be stylish, right?  You should be able to come up with an attractive vehicle when you combine Audi, BMW and the new swoops of Hyundai.  Yes I just threw in Hyundai when talking about a Benz.  It is exciting though to see a relatively stodgy brand create a vehicle with such emotional surfacing.  The future is looking bright and curvaceous for the brand with the biggest front emblem.

The basic theme lines of the car are nothing really new but are executed in a precise manner.  The complex surfacing looks like Bangle stopped by to touch one more car.  If everything in between these lines was simplified the vehicle would result in a much classier execution.

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Well the long awaited Ford Focus is here and is going to make an impression. There is definitely a lot to take in with this global (80% common parts) Focus.  I think everyone will find areas they like and some they don’t.  This design was collaborated on between Europe, United States and Asia and I find myself trying to find who had influence on what part.  Overall the one thing I feel is missing on the exterior is “refinement.”  There is so much going on and there doesn’t need to be.

Read on for more……

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The Fiesta has arrived wearing exactly what we wanted it to.  Many were worried that the Fiesta would “lose” something after its long swim from Europe.  The U.S. Fiesta has sustained a minor face lift to fit in all the necessary requirements, but it is nothing that consumers will even notice.

Exterior Design

The Kinetic Design Language has survived since it was first introduced on the Iosis concept.  The highly energetic surfaces create a fabulous sense of style while never allowing the thought of a small econo box from entering your mind.

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Here is a fresh dose of Automotive Sketch P*rn.  Enjoy the selection of loose sketches/ renderings to more dramatic paintings.  We will start off with the sketch of the new Fiesta.  Tomorrow we will be heading to Ford to review the new U.S. production version due out early next year.  Stay tuned for our review on it.  For now enjoy the P*rn!

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Jaguar recently invited us to see the new XJ and have a chat with Design Director Ian Callum.  The conversation spanned a variety of topics like childhood, Jaguars’ future and the future of automobile design.  Ian was great to talk to with a laid back personality and a true love for the Jaguar brand.

Check out the podcast for the full interview.

More pics and opinions of the design after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

 

 CDF Podcast #17: Ian Callum and the XJ [44:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Here it is the 2012 Buick Unnamed Crossover.  Due to a good memory and a fellow blogger Mr. Banovsky we believe this is 95% the Buick Crossover shown at GM on Mondays event.  This vehicle actually debuted as a concept in Brazil under the name Chevrolet GPiX (meaning Global Pictures???) in Soa Paulo 2008.

The GPix would receive unique front/rear clips and the Buick badge.  It is a neat little vehicle to slot under the Saturn Vue Buick Plug In Crossover out next year.  The front end has a look reminiscent of the Riviera Concept from a couple years back.  I am sure the wheels would not be so sporty for the luxury brand.

It did look good in person and should do well.  Follow the jump for some other views of the new Buick.

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Yesterday I was able to attend GM’s Product and Technology Event where they put on a show to present their future capabilities. The people invited were all random going through 30 different channels to reach bloggers of varying types.   The morning started off with Mr. Lutz making some great comments. My favorite being his reference to their old interiors looking like “hardened lava.”  I couldn’t explain it any better.  We then got a tour of the four new Brand “Salons.”  Unfortuneatley ther were no cameras allowed, so I will do my best to describe them.  Hit the jump and look into the next 24 months of GM’s lineup.

GMC                                    Buick                                      Chevrolet                                   Cadillac

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Did you forget about the poor ol Jeep Grand Cherokee.  Yes, they still make it, and yes, it has faded to the background of almost every other SUV out there.  But if you missed the New York Auto Show (like most of us Detroiters) then you were treated to the 2011 model at the Eve of the Eyes show last month.

At first glance the overall impression is wow! and when can I get one?  The designers did a great job evolving the current design and bringing back some of the successful details from prior generations.  The biggest detail being the termination of the round bug eye lights that were stuffed in there like a kid trying to put his head through the arm hole.

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I’m a sucker for cool automotive vehicle surfacing and renders.  Bruno Delusso has added to that addiction, bringing forth his incredibly hot Bugatti Stratos concept done in Alias.  Did I mention it’s hot?  Yes.

Utilizing influence from many classic Italian veehicks, Bruno incorporates some flame styling into the tension of the lines on the bodyside, incorporating graphic breaks via outlines and shapes strewn throughout the surface.  The shapes and break-ups capture a bit of old iron: Art Deco locomotives would feel right at home with this as a sibling.  The Bugatti cues are there, as well as the love of streamlining and speed forms.

It’s waaay out there as a design, but sexy nonetheless!  Check out the sweet images after the break, and then go on ahead to Bruno’s website to see the rest of his great work, including his gaming, non-automotive, and graphic design projects.

[Images courtesy Bruno Delusso via Autoblog]

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Okay, here is one more post from the Motorstadt VI Show.  There was just too much good stuff to put into one article.  This was definitely one of my favorites.  This CC was shown at SEMA last year which I missed going to.  As you can see all the right upgrades were made and in a believable or should I say attainable fashion.  Ground effects, wheels and interior trim bits make a huge effect on this sedan.  I really can’t think of what more I would want to do to this car.  It is hard to believe this a sedan that starts in the mid 20’s.

Check out lots more pics after the jump…. Read the rest of this entry »