At this years Ward’s Auto Interior Conference held in Dearborn the other day J Mays was the key note speaker and brought a little something special to our shores. The Ford Start Concept was on hand for the first time in the states after its debut at the Beijing Auto Show a few weeks ago. This concept would definitely give Mini and the Fiat 500 a run for their money. Look past the fuzzy cell phone pics and hit the jump for some fetish thoughts.
“Peugeot”. I love saying that word. It’s sexy in that “I have a sexy French accent” kind of way. Birthing forth from Peugeot is the SR1, a turbo-diesel hybrid that anyone living in Twin Peaks would love.
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The facts: the 918 Spyder is a hybrid electric engine capable of achieving 500HP, 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, and 78 MPG. The downer: it’s just a concept (for now) but Porsche admitted that they, too, are in love enough to potentially pursue the vehicle on the open road.
The Geneva Motor Show is in full swing, with news bites appearing every day. The show, unlike the relatively production-oriented NAIAS Detroit show, straddles the SEMA line to bring some truly outrageous, often ground-breaking concept car design. While there have been some absolute stinkers, what is considered good Design has been truly magnificent at times.
Let’s reiterate the reason that concept cars exist in the first place: they are usually seen as milestones for a company’s Design language and technological goals. For example: while we may not see production cars with glass wheels anytime soon, the idea that the company is targeting light-weighting may be the real focus.
If what we see at Geneva is any indication, studios are now coming to an understanding that it is the sophistication in technology that can drive Design, not just flashy gimmicks.
We’ve compiled a few of our very favorite concept vehicles that will be driving European automotive design for the next several years. We lead off with the excruciatingly wonderful Survolt.
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It’s about time Alfa Romeo revived this legendary name. Alpha-numeric monikers and two syllable words just don’t evoke the sort of grace and emotion that a name like Giulietta does. Let’s analyze the design behind the name, the latest in a series of great themes from the cross-and-snake brigade.
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.
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.
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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.
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!
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.
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