Carmakers spend millions of dollars on producing concept cars for the Frankfurt Auto Show et. al. But what is a concept car? Is it something a car company is going to do, wants to do, or might one day do? Yes. There are three main categories: teasers (cars that will eventually hit the market in castrated form), styling exercises (masturbatory, image-building efforts that showcase a carmaker's abilities) and science fiction (the shape of things not to come). Needless to say, teasers first.
Ford's Verve may be a tease, but it sure left me feeling satisfied. The model’s lean proportions and aggressive stance are four-wheeled foreplay, while the detailing shows a masterful grasp of sex appeal. Check out those flush aluminum window frames and the interior lighting straight from a high-class mobile phone. I’m sure we’ll see elements of the Verve on the forthcoming Fiesta and Ka, hopefully without birthing a bastard. Cigarette?
Speaking of teases, it seem like the “new” Chevy Camaro has been playing peek-a-boo since John F. Kennedy told Berliners he was a jelly donut. Although the convertible version shown in Frankfurt is fresh, there’s a fine line between a permanent tease and a damn bore. Transformer? I’m done with her. In contrast, Honda's Accord Tourer Concept is practically a done deal, set for introduction in 2008. It is a super-clean design that wanders over the aesthetic border into sterility– not unlike generic-Japanese cars of the 1990s.
BMW thinks its ready-for-’08 X6 is a "completely new kind of car." Ja, it’s part sports car, part SUV. The official description sounds like the beginning a bad joke, but people who don't know what kind of car they want (except that they want a BMW) will take it seriously enough to keep the factory humming. Unlike the majority of this century’s Bangled Bimmers, the X6 isn’t ugly. But I couldn’t find anything particularly likeable in this escapee from Dr. Moreau's island.
Mitsubishi’s Concept-cX showcar may be equally conflicted, but the execution is pretty darn good for an undead company. The cX has Scion’s typography and lots of Mitsubishi styling cues, such as the Lancer's shark's mouth. It’s also slathered in “Green Plastic;” a polymer made from bamboo stolen from hungry pandas. Anyway, the cX certainly improves on the Suzuki SX-4 which inspired it.
VW salesmen pining for the word “Up!” get their own car. Its slab sides and unimaginative design evoke the spirit [sic] of the existing Polo. It reminds me of Ulla in "The Producers,” who likes to "tidyy oop!" apartments (if only because I’m easily distracted). Sadly, the Up! is no four-wheeled Uma Thurman. With its rear-engine design, it probably won't drive as well, either.
The contrast to Toyota's iQ Concept couldn't be larger (smaller?). Toyota’s iQ is about the size of a Smart (go figure), looks more modern, seats three adults and one sprog (or four Oompa-Loompas) and shares crucial design clues with the Auris and Yaris.
Fellow columnist Jay Shoemaker is right: the Mercedes F-700 is a hit (and no, it doesn't use hydrogen fuel cell technology). Whether or not the DiesOtto engine (1.8-liter, 258hp) ever comes to fruition, the next, or next-to-next S-Class Mercedes, looks stunning. There's some HR Giger evilness to it, which is a good idea for a plutocrat's car. Inside, there’s none of the present S-class' grandfatherly design clues.
The detailing of the cross-town rival BMW’s CS concept is difficult in parts. Do we really want scalloped arches above the rear wheels? It does look appropriately long and swoopy though. If the replacement for the current 7-Series looks likes this, then we won't bitch (as much).
Another pleasantly evil design for 2012: the Nissan Mixim. It dark, geometric style is all about the Vader. Which is exactly the way a small car should look: easy on the Chihuahua, heavy on the Death Star. The Mixim boasts three-abreast seating, a wraparound video screen and lots of origami detailing.
The Koreans are on a [pletzel] roll, and they have the concepts to prove it. The Kia Kee [first image] copies some elements of the Audi Awwwww– I mean, R8. But it’s a good idea of a sports car for 2010. And the Hyundai iBlue is a good (if blurry) vision of a one-box people-carrier of the future: large yet approachable.
Yes, the future is one-box– at least that’s what science fiction movies have been saying for the past 15 years. And thus, GM/Opel's Flextreme (take THAT Ford Flex and Mr. Funkmaster) provides the usual Sci-Fi elements: opposite-opening doors, low sills, flexible seating. We've seen it all before, but it looks pretty good when executed this well. One question, though: will all cars in the future have Segways coming out of their butts?
The F-700 looks like Joan Rivers with Dolly Parton lips.
I would even want to be hit by cars ugly as those.
Spot on with the Giger (sp) influence on the Merc. That’s one damn scary-cool looking vehicle… it just needs the telescoping choppers to pop out from behind that grille!
It looks like Daimler is out to put an end to giant schnoz wars once and for all.
since John F. Kennedy told Berliners he was a jelly donut.
Eddie Izzard reference?
Design is so subjective, in what way is the merc a hit? from the other views it looks like a terrible balloon'd car, the front is making me seek therapy as we speak. Merc used to have some great styling but this is a real let down if this is what the future holds. Theres a fine line between cretaing tension down a body side and going crazy after a moment of inspiration while eating your banana at lunch. Unforunately as it has the gunsight above the grille it will sell eventually if it comes to market. The CS is a damn sexy car just needs toning down a bit. The Up though is a cutesy contemporary car which is aiming to do what the the original beetle and the mini spiritual concept aimed at, innovative, cheap transport. Something that will appeal to the ipod masses. The cX is a dog, its trying just too hard. Has the citroen cactus been released yet. I'm sure they look better if you see them in the flesh though….?
since John F. Kennedy told Berliners he was a jelly donut. Eddie Izzard reference? Brilliant Martin!! JFK said, in Berlin, “Ich bin ein berliner”, i.e. “I’m a Berliner”, to show his support during the blocus of Berlin with the Soviets. Unfortunately, no one told hm or his speech-writer that Berliners don’t refer to themselves as Berliners, since that name is already taken by a jelly donut. It’s a bit like “Frankfurters”. BMW thinks its ready-for-’08 X6 is a “completely new kind of car.” Ja, it’s part sports car, part SUV. The official description sounds like the beginning a bad joke, but people who don’t know what kind of car they want (except that they want a BMW) will take it seriously enough to keep the factory humming. Given how many Infiniti FXs were sold, this one may do well. Another pleasantly evil design for 2012: the Nissan Mixim. It dark, geometric style is all about the Vader. Which is exactly the way a small car should look: easy on the Chihuahua, heavy on the Death Star. The current European Honda Civic follows this principle, and looks like a Tie fighter. Great design, and better car thant the U.S. Civic
There are areas of design (e.g., architecture) that have developed design patterns on what works and what doesn’t. One obvious design pattern is mimicing nature and the cues that we see to be “agressive” (slit-eyes) , “friendly” (smiling lips), “energetic” (crouching pose). It’s interesting to see how different cultures interpret these designs. The Japanese culture focuses more on the mouth, while Americans focus more on the eyes.
The first Internet boom fueled attitudes of conspicuous consumption (especially in the US) and car designers followed appropriately. The Bling and Bangle era ensued.
With the Iraq war and high fuel prices, there’s been a shift in the US toward smaller, more efficient cars. And a design shift will follow too (if it hasn’t begun already).
CeeDragon The design patterns long ago established in architecture still don’t get used, because they customer ALWAYS thinks he’s a better architect. So we end up with all the ugly poorly designed buildings festering this country. Looks like auto design is just a retarded, which leaves me conflicted because I wanted to be a car designer but not if it works the same way architecture doesn’t work.
I like the Maxim, it’s got a cool angular shape but in a better way than the Art & Science crap.
I’m not a big fan of the F700, but like most M-B concepts, I think the main purpose of that car was the show off its technology, not its styling. Take a look a the previous Bionic Car and F600 concepts and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Too bad the styling trumped the technology on this one.
That said, maybe the F700 is a hyper-stylized (drug-fueled?) glimpse of the face of the next E-Class . . .
No matter how many times people repeat the urban legend about Kennedy and jelly donuts, it’s still not true.
It’s also slathered in “Green Plastic;” a polymer made from bamboo stolen from hungry pandas.
This is precisely why I’m a card-carrying member of Pistols for Pandas. They have just as much of a right ot defend themselves as anyone else.
Actually, these are the cars that I saw that work pretty well (for me). I didn’t include any of the really ugly ones. And believe me, there are some stinkers out there.
The Mercedes is actually quite convincing when seen in the flesh. I am often surprised how bad these cars photograph; it takes a leap of imagination to picture how they would actually look on the road in six years’ time. Yet another reason I hold the highest respect for (good) designers.
The Mercedes is actually quite convincing when seen in the flesh.
Good point. I usually reserve my judgment until I see cars in the flesh, but so many people have been harping on the styling of the F700.
Same thing happened with the new C-Class – it looks much better in person, especially the interior.
re: bmw 08 x6 “…the x6 isn’t ugly. But I couldn’t find anything particularly likeable…”
the roofline looked fresh to me, and somewhat appealing, even though it would obviously diminish carrying capacity to some degree. and the front, in general, appears more to my liking than most of bmw’s other recent iterations on this theme.
also, as someone who prefers driving small cars, i found the nissan mixim quite interesting. its exterior body panels seem to have a little ‘lamborghini reventon’ quality to them.
philipwitak: I agree with what you say re: the X6. It is fresh and looks good. My (strong) qualms are conceptual.
The Nissan Mixim is an altogether different story, and one which deserves to be told. The average age of the designers of this car is 25, several were female, and while most of them are Japanese, several were various non-Japanese. A common inspiration however were Manga and other Japanese comic-strip concepts.
Put rather concisely, the Mixim team thinks that young people don’t care about conventional concepts of car ownership prestige, and identify more with themes they find on the Internet. When you go to Cosplay parties and your social interactions take place on Facebook: this is the kind of car you would drive (so they would like to think).
The subject is new to me, but I find the approach fresh and special.
I haven’t seen the F700 in person, but I still like it.
But apart from the design, the technology is very promising. The “Diesotto” sounds like a hell of an engine. If only it was already available…but it looks as if it will take some more years
Is it just me or does the Verve strongly resemble the C30 Volvo is bringing to market (with 6 million possible accessory variations)?
Rick,
no resemblance. The photo doesn’t serve justice. The C30 has the brand-typical chamfered shoulders, a S40-coupe silhouette, and the heritage glass hatch. The Verve is a pouncing wedge of a car with a very small footprint.
BostonTeaParty:
They did release the Cactus concept and I liked it very much indeed. But its idea as well as execution are so far-out that I would have needed half an article to explain it. Words literally failed me — sorry.
TTAC shoud do a piece about MB-s hybrid offencive in Frankfurt. Germans use to talk lot of crap about hybrids in the past, now Merc, Porsche/Audi are presenting a whole line up of hybrids, which will be in production starting in 2009 (gasoline-electric) and compared with present in-production Lexus counterpart powerplants Merc has really nothing special to offer.
Didn’t the German’s publicly state a few years ago they were throwing in the towel on the hybrid vs. diesel debate. They had decided the market was going electric hybrid and they needed to follow.
I personnally think they shouldn’t have given up or at least should be pushing the hydrolic hybrid they developed as an alternative, I personally think that approach is better than constanly converting kinetic energy to electric and then back again.