Audi Crosslane Concept

With this concept Audi is introducing two items.

First, the design of the grille will be used for the Q line. It is still a single frame grille, which is the signature of the brand for several years now. Its prominent frame is integrated into the Multimaterial Space Frame as a supporting element. This solution symbolizes the philosophy behind the Audi crosslane coupé: a totally new fusion of basic concept, technology and design.

The vehicle itself introduce the volume and lines of the upcoming Q2 and gives us a hint of what the Q line will be. The horizontal edges are the dominant features above the wheels and change a little bit the « image » of Audi, giving more virility to the body. The interior design continues the design language of the exteriro in the geometrical clarity of its basic shapes. Using the trapezoidal theme. As always, the design reflect a high quality standard.

Renault Clio IV

The new Renault Clio (4th Gen.) is the first production car to feature the design language initiated by Laurens van den Acker.

Clio is clearly born with the dna of the Dezir and Captur. This vehicle looks like a voluptuous sculptur and is certainly going to be a turn for Renault. The new design direction is clearly demonstrated here. Inside the IP is inspired (like many other cars…) by an airplane wing. you can personalize the interior as well as the exterior. No doubt : it is going to be a hit !

 

Exagon Furtive eGT

Next to McLaren was sitting the Exagon Stand. Exagon is a french company who chose to produce an electric car. But a very exclusive electric car : a GT. the result is interesting in term of technology, not really in term of design.  Proportion are good, but the design is very old fashioned for the exterior. (i.e the roof looks very…Zagato)

On the other hands, the interior looks very exclusive…very british.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

With the Panamera Sport Turismo, Porsche unveils at the Paris Autoshow what the hybrid sports car of tomorrow could be.

The concept the Panamera Sport Turismo embodies the idea of a functional sports car that combines performance with the ability of everyday drive and flexibility for transportation: a four-door line sober and firm proportions typically Porsche. The ergonomics of the interior extensively studied reflects the concept of a coherent whole. The driver and technology are inter -connected via a control system of a new like using the black panel technology. The study also provides the setting and the control of many functions via smartphone. For example, it is possible to screen and monitor the charging time of the lithium-ion battery on the electric network using a dedicated application. Interesting but not very innovative…

Peugeot Onyx

With the Onyx, Peugeot and Gilles Vidal demonstrate a new approach in the materials use. The exterior is very radical and looks like a supercar in terms of volume. The use of of pure copper, which is going to be altered by time is efficient. The interior is bright and natural. Warm and soft, the felt is derived from traditional production techniques. Obtained from boiled wool, with interwoven fibres, this material is completely recyclable and is an excellent thermal insulator. In addition, it improves the quality of the surrounding air by dehumidifying.

The dashboard is constructed with of a new type of ‘timber’ – ‘Newspaper Wood’. Produced from used newspapers, assembled and compressed to create a new material from which the parts are made. The illusion is interesting with veins of colour evident on the surface. On closer inspection the secret is revealed with the appearance of the print type.

Not to say it is only a concept car…

BMW Concept Active Tourer

Ian Robertson, head of marketing at BMW, make it a straight : with this concept, BMW intends to redefine the segment…

But when we look up closely we can have some doubt…This car looks like a Mercedes B-Class in its volume. On the other hand, the lines are really BMW eventhough the car itself lose the rear wheel drive.

The concept car was very close to the final version and we can predict that the car will be on the road around Francfort Autoshow next year.

Interior Motives Awards

At a glamorous awards ceremony organized by CarDesignNews at the Espace Clacquesin in Paris on Sept. 26th,  the world’s top designers and automotive journalists gathered together to watch sponsors Peugeot and Volkswagen reveal the 2012 Interior Motives Student Design of the Year: ‘Autopool’ by Siavash Jafari Jozani and Mina Kasirifar from the University of Tehran. At the end of what was a memorable evening, the two Iranian students walked away with one of the most prestigious accolades in the automotive design industry and a cash prize of $5,500.

Another popular winner at this year’s awards was ‘Smart’ by IED Italy student Mattia Sarti. Described by Citroën’s Andreas Stump as “a nice approach in aesthetics and ergonomics for the little ones”, Smart proposes a vehicle that doubles as a conventional city car and, when not in motion, a versatile interior space – or automated ‘babysitter’ – for four kids. “When I saw this, it made me smile,” said Amko Leenarts of Ford. “It really tells a story.”

Other winners included the ‘Blossom’ three-seat coupe by Haoran Zhang (Best Eco Interior), ‘Pandora’ by Dario Pellegrino, Stefano Manini and Michele Bavaro (Best Use of Technology), ‘Epiphany’ by Shihan Pi (Best Conceptual Exterior) and ‘Imagine’ by Robert Striedieck (Best Artistic Visualisation).

 

You can view a full review of that evening at : http://www.interiormotivesawards.com/

 

 

 

Opel Adam

The new Opel Adam looks like a synthesis of all current fashion city cars such as Audi A1, Fiat 500 adn DS3. But the result is very smart and exciting. It has a real image. You can tune your Adam almost the way you want from the exterior to the interior. Opel says that there are 33 000 possibilities…amazing, isn’t it ?

The only concern I have for such a car is the size of the trunk…

Pleyel by Peugeot Design Lab

The piano manufacturer Pleyel and Peugeot Design Lab unveil a piano that overturns the conventions of the music world.

The Desgin lab was launched in June 2012 and has the goal to design non-automotive pieces for Peugeot and external clients in all business sectors. The team could work on a yacht, a tool…or in this first attempt : on a piano for Pleyel.

Obviously, the attempt is interesting. And instead of discussing line, technology and music here, and after saying that pianists say that the acoustic is like any other Pleyel piano,  please go through the photo gallery.

It says more…