Even in the limited-traction wonderland of some Nordic cold-weather test facility, BMW’s 2013 i8 diesel-hybrid supercar keeps things nice and calm dynamically-speaking, barely hinting at the “rear end squirm” that Automobile noted in its drive of the prototype. Which is not to say that this video is without its noteworthy moments…
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We’ve already seen BMW’s new smooth-and-sleek Six Series as a droptop, but is it possible that the design will gain back some of its Bangle-ian spizzarkle as a coupe? Don’t hold your breath. The new design has more old-world grace than the previous model, but as a result it looks like it’s trying a bit too hard to be a Jag or Maserati. Sure, both of those brands offer some of the most elegant touring options on the market, but isn’t BMW supposed to be just a little farther ahead of the curve than its “Olde Worlde” competition? Shouldn’t BMWs be just a little bit more architectural and a lot more coldly technical-looking? Still not sure? Hit the jump for some endless B-Roll and a gallery.
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Reader Josh sends in this semi-camo’d Explorer from the Mile High city, writing that

The lady who was in the drivethru at Wendy’s was quite frustrated to see us photographing her car (we stalked her for a few blocks to find a “compromising” position) and she jetted without even ordering. While I know this is default behavior among tester-types, in my experience, they really only panic if there is something really special.

But besides the bizarre hand-painted camo on the rear-quarter panel, we’re not seeing anything too different here from a stock Explorer. Is that funny-looking tailpipe exhausting the forthcoming “premium” 2.0 Ecoboost four-cylinder during high-altitude testing? Josh notes

the exhaust seemed tame and quiet – but we were in a v8 excursion

What say you, Best and Brightest?

Possibly in hopes of reminding the assembled writers that the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is not the future of the brand’s design, part of the CC launch was spent at Nissan Design North America where we were shown a clay model representing some of the design cues that could appear on future Nissan sedans. The designer we spoke to was careful to point out that this is neither an official concept nor “the next Altima,” but rather an exploration of the evolving Nissan design language. For example, the Z-car’s “boomerang” taillights, which have spread to vehicles like the Maxima, Juke and Murano CC are now found in the headlights of this unfinished clay model. The “J-line” kick-up where the beltline meets the C-pillar is also on display. Otherwise, there are also some unusually organic, flowing forms that have yet to debut on a production Nissan. I’m not sure this next-generation design answers all the questions floating around about the Nissan brand, but it’s an interesting look at the direction Nissan design is headed.

Thanks to the gents behind the excellent CarDesignNews, who already brought you one of the best videos to emerge from the Geneva Auto Show, we present what the kids would call some “real talk” from the bête noir of the car design world, Chris Bangle. Bangle breaks down the problem of modern supercars (where’s the narrative?) and explains how supercar branding is reflected in sexual relationships. Good stuff all round.

When Americans travel abroad, they might catch the odd glimpse of a Ford Mustang. If they’re especially lucky, they might even find a classic in Paris. But if there’s a car left on the market that exemplifies the values that once defined American cars, it’s the Mustang. After all, the Mustang was not only born in the US, it became more than a car because of the way it tapped so deftly into the American psyche. Developed for American tastes, the Mustang has done best when it clings to the simplicity of the formula that made it an icon. Which is why it’s a bit puzzling to hear Ford telling Automotive News [sub] that the next Mustang will be designed based on styling themes from Ford’s global design studios, rather than the US-based team that has always taken the lead on Mustang design.

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Saab’s PhoeniX concept has two very different purposes: Saab’s Chief Designer Jason Castriota claims the point of the concept was to create buzz and draw attention to the fact that Saab is still around, but it also provides the first look at a new platform that will underpin future iterations of the 9-5, 9-3 and 9-4X. Saab’s Jan-Åke Jonsson tells What Car? that flexibility is key to the new platform, and that “though expensive” it will ultimately save Saab money, saying

We will be able to use the same powertrains in all our vehicles and build them in the same plant (Trollhattan in Sweden), so there are lots of benefits

Which makes you wonder where the money is coming from to develop an all-new, flexible platform. But the PhoeniX Concept also forces you to ask another question: how exactly is this thing a Saab, anyway? At least that’s what former BMW designer Chris Bangle wondered. Hit the jump to see Bangle tussle over the issue with Castriota [courtesy: CarDesignNews], before the Saab designer goes over the Phoenix’s design and place in Saab’s future.

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OK, so so we weren’t immediately thrilled at the prospect of Alfa coming to the US as the sick man of Europe. But with news that Alfa’s 4C, a Dallara-developed, 1,800 lb mid-engined coupe could become the flagship for the brand’s return to the US, we’re starting to warm up to the Alfisti bandwagon. But, there’s a catch (of course): at the suggested €45k price point and 15k-25k unit production plan, this aluminum-and-carbon vision of Elise-meets-8C loveliness won’t be doing much to solve Alfa’s financial difficulties. Still, that’s the Alfa we want to come to the US: the extravagant, over-the-top, money-losing Alfa, not the cynical Fiat-rebadge Alfa. This 4C is a good start down the financially-draining but emotionally-rewarding road Alfa should never have been forced to abandon.

It’s been ten long years since Volkswagen stunned a generation with its Microbus concept, a modern interpretation of the ’60s icon. That vehicle was supposed to go into production on the T5 platform by 2003, as a way to introduce a new Volkswagen van to America. Instead, in one of the crueler bait-and-switch moves in recent memory, VW rebadged a Dodge Caravan for the US and kept the T5 in Europe.

In the meantime, the Microbus concept remains in the minds of VW’s American fans as a sign of what might have been, and a marker for when things started to wrong for VW of America. But now, the wait is over. American Microbus fans rejoice, for Volkswagen has heard your decade of muttered prayers and has brought back the Microbus. As a (tiny) concept. Yeah, it’s electrically-driven, and yeah, it’s got iPad integration, but it’s just a concept and VW isn’t even hinting at production plans. Tease me once, shame on me… tease me twice, and you’d better build the damn thing!

Having shown a raft of C-platformed cars, MPVs and crossovers at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford is making big deal out of its smaller B-segment platform at Geneva, with this “B-Max” MPV. Just over four inches longer than a fiesta but over a foot shorter than the C-Max, the B-Max packages pillar-free sliding door entrances into a tiny footprint for this MPV, which is destined for a 2012 launch in Europe (no word on US availability, but don’t hold your breath). And in addition to the Fiesta’s 1.6 NA four-banger, the B-Max will debut Ford’s smallest EcoBoost engine to date, a 1.0 liter with start-stop technology. Just the thing to take on Opel’s suicide-doored Meriva, which is headed to the US soon as a Buick.

Ever since Toyota and Subaru announced they would be building a rear-drive sports coupe together, one question has torn the Subaru faithful apart, casting their forums and message boards into an dark age of strife and conflict. That question: will the Subaru version retain the brand’s signature all-wheel-drive? Since the car’s running gear is Subaru Legacy based (or, it was to start with), it should have been obvious from the get-go that the Subaru version would rotate all four wheels. But, as these images from the Autoguide‘s coverage of the Geneva Auto Show reveal, Subaru seems to have deliberately played up the confusion. While calling its display a “concept model of Subaru’s rear-wheel-drive sports car now under development,” the display even says “its new platform incorporates Subaru’s signature Symmetrical AWD.” Confused yet?

Via autogetspot.com come these first pictures of the Lamborghini Aventador awaiting the adoring attention of Geneva Auto Show attendees…

Auto Motor und Sport calls the new Opel Zafira Touring Concept an “Oasis,” but could it be the “Baby Enclave” that’s been rumored for some time? The short answer is “no,” as the next Buick MPV will be a full class smaller than this Opel Astra-based compact 7-seater, based on the next Aveo platform and boasting suicide doors. But with gas prices rising, and CAFE standards possibly headed towards 60+ MPG, there’s certainly a chance that the next-gen Zafira could eventually end up in the US with Buick badges.

Start the video, then click on the 3D button in the menu bar to select 3D or 2D format. You can also select resolution up to 1080p HD. Video courtesy of Ford Motor Company and Cars In Depth, where you can also find 3D images of Ford’s VR lab.

With a big push from the film, computer, video game, camera, and television set industries, 3D seems poised to become rather commonplace, particularly when passive display panels requiring no special eyeglasses will soon be at consumer level price points in just a year or so, I’d say. Some of the most sophisticated 3D technology in use today, though, is not in use in Hollywood, California, or Redmond, Washington, it’s in places called Dearborn, Auburn Hills and Warren, Michigan. The domestic automakers were early adopters of advanced computer aided design and manufacturing (CADCAM) as well as advanced computer imagery. They have some of the the most advanced tools available today and some of the most skilled and creative engineers and designers who develop and use those tools. Virtual reality is one of those tools. By projecting a realistic holographic or stereo display, stylists and exterior designers can get an accurate perspective on how their ideas will look without having to make time consuming and expensive scale and full size models. I think it’s pretty understandable that car companies would use 3D and VR for exterior design studies. Perhaps even more valuable to automakers, though, is how stereo image technology can be used in the interior design and engineering of modern cars.
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