Mois : septembre 2013

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IAA 2013 | Porsche 918 Spyder

In order to dream, we have to tell you something about the Porsche 918 Spyder. The design is not surprising. It is after all a Porsche using the spirit of Stuttgart’s past to (re)invent the future. This car is a real beast, yet the design is “no frills”, just the essentials. And this Porsche can offer a 100% electric mode, called e-Power, for between 16 and 32 kilometers…

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IAA 2013 | Audi Sport Quattro Concept

Celebrating 30 years since the original Quattro, Audi revealed the Audi Sport Quattro Concept. Well…first of all there is no doubt that it is an Audi. Large shoulders, clean design. The single-frame grille, with sculpted inserts, is now in 3D, made of two sections: the lower is nearly vertical and the upper continues the hood line. This concept does not have as much DNA from the 80’s Quattro as the previous Quattro concept shown in Paris in 2011, but it certainly gives us some good hints of Audi’s design direction.

Things are changing. Not too fast, but changing…
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IAA 2013 | Volvo Concept Coupé

With the Volvo Concept Coupé the Swedish company demonstrated a certain kind of wisdom in the design direction. Some will say that it is rather “dejà-vu”, but the style remains elegant. In contrast to the Lexus discussed above, lines are clean, simple and justified.The design language is clearly understandable — you quickly feel comfortable with it. We are willing to bet that the next generation XC or V will have a lot of influence from this design direction. One small detail we felt was important: the shape of the line under the door handle is reminiscent of the P1800…That’s part of the Volvo heritage, isn’t it?

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IAA 2013 | Lexus LF-NX Concept

In the previous articles we talked about simplicity being a new trend, now we have to talk about this strange concept on the Lexus display: the Lexus LF-NX concept. From the outside we have barely seen such a complicated form before. The car stands in the “L-Finesse” design language seen on many Lexus before, but pushed to its maximum (…don’t tell us they can go further…). The huge grille at the front is a signature that we will see more and more from Lexus. The DRLs are separated from the headlamps and a vertical opening separates the bumper from the wing — or fender if you prefer. There are a lot of changes on the surfaces and planes somewhat like a stealth fighter…  but this is not a stealth car, you would surely see it coming. It reminds us of the Lamborghini Egoista concept at certain angles.
On the other hand, the interior looks more controlled. Some metal surfacing highlighted by blue instrument lighting give this concept a futuristic look. The black and orange leather makes it look luxurious too. The designers have also worked on the user experience with touch-sensitive electrostatic switches and touchpad interface. Well, the Toyota/Lexus designers did not choose the direction of simplicity with this design, but somehow it works…
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IAA 2013 | KIA Niro Concept

The Kia Niro Concept is not a surprise. It is usual for Kia Design Europe, led by Gregory Guillaume, to display a cool looking concept. A cool concept that we would like to see on the road very soon! This mini SUV, however, could preview a serious competitor to the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur or Mini Paceman! The style is very clean and simple (seems to be a new trend…) with very good proportions. The form language is strong and displays what Kia design is today and the direction they want to take in the future. Volumes are very muscular and give the car a good stance on the road.
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IAA 2013 | BMW i3

BMW is introducing at the IAA the first car in the i-car lineup: the BMW i3. Benoit Jacob, head of Design of the i-line, chose not to design a “normal” car like Renault did with the Zoe(although the budget goal was not the same…). It has electric power and it has to show it. One can say it is a little bit complicated in term of lines, but everybody should admit that the i-Car line has its own signature (see the i8…).Once you understand this choice you can discover the car itself. With the use of aluminum and carbon fiber, and despite the weight of the batteries, the car weighs in at a reasonable 1,270kg. The electric motor produces the equivalent of 170hpat the rear wheels and the batteries provide a driving range of 130 to 200km.The interior is roomy and well executed in terms of details and quality. More than anything, a test drive was very convincing. This BMW i3 might be expensive (in comparison to a Renault Zoe, although not in the same category), but at 35,000€ we think it is worth it.
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IAA 2013 | Opel Monza Concept

Coming back to the German brands, let’s talk about Opel who were showing the Opel Monza. Like Citroen, Opel is using the past to design the future. Monza is the name of a good car that was produced (and too soon forgotten) in the 80’s. The silhouette reminds us of shooting brakes from the 60-70’s. But when you approach the car you see how much it is designed towards the future…
Martin Schaufler has done an excellent exterior design job, understanding and expressing the DNA of Opel. This showcar demonstrates the new design language of GM Europe. The face uses slim lamps to give the boomerang signature. The style becomes simple and smooth, with curves, but not too many. In the center of the hood Opel used one gimmick: a central rib or raised feature line to add some tension. During the discussion with the exterior designer we understand that the Monza Concept represents the GM Design Europe studio vision of Opel/Vauxhall’s future and stands for the following values: German engineering, combined with design and innovation suitable for everyday use. We agree with Martin when he says “the body shapes of the Monza Concept visibly demonstrate efficiency, lightness and athleticism, rather than pure muscle power. The overall package of the Monza Concept maximizes the very spacious and sporty interior in relation to the exterior dimensions of a 4-seater, enabling easy ingress and egress through the “Butterfly” doors”
The interior designed by Boris Ilse, is very futuristic. All shapes seem to be floating in the air…
The sporty, dynamic interior sculpture of user surfaces in the Monza Concept enables flawless connection and combination of vehicle and driver information via the internet with decorative elements which can be fully customized according to the specific needs and driving behavior of the driver. As Boris told us, “the Monza Concept introduces ground-breaking technologies for future infotainment and connectivity possibilities, showing how next-generation Opel cars will address the needs of a closely connected and sharing society.” We can’t wait to see that…
A big screen with 18 LED projectors takes the place of the IP to communicate all kinds of information to the driver from vehicle performance data to multimedia. This technology enables unlimited personalization in terms cluster decoration and IP information display.
This concept seems to represent a ground breaking HMI philosophy, providing new types of information and new ways to display that information.  Seeing this LED technology leads us to think that it will allow new ways to shape interiors in the near future…
The modularity of the architecture allows Opel to use any kind of engine, from petrol, diesel and gas, to electrical, hybrid and beyond. With this showcar we can be sure that the return of Mark Adams will initiate a renewal of Opel Design.
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IAA 2013 | Renault Initiale Paris

Renault presented an interesting concept: The Renault Initiale Paris previewing the replacement of the Espace…It is not a MPV, but it is not a SUV or a Station-Wagon. Yet it is all of those at the same time. It is a new concept, it is a Renault! The French company is betting on a new type crossover to renew the Espace. It has the same length, but looks longer than the Espace due to the fluidity of the lines. The impressive part is the aluminum/plexiglass roof where a map of Paris is printed. The exterior uses the Renault design language initiated by Laurens van den Acker, but it is not very original as we are so used to seeing the Clio. The interior is much more appealing, with two rows of seats mounted on the central tunnel. It seems that they are floating. On the other hand the third row seems to be attached to the car…We hope the production car will be close to this interesting concept. Like Citroen with the DS brand, Renault could use Initiale as a premium brand…
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IAA 2013 | Peugeot 308

On the Peugeot stand, the 308 was introduced to the public. And, based on hearing and reading all the positive comments from German journalists, the Frankfurt debut was certainly no mistake. Basically the Peugeot 308 is seen as a serious challenger to the VW Golf. We think that he design team led by Gilles Vidal has done a very nice job. Volume is very simple. Lines are clean and mastered. One can say that it looks too much like a Golf. But in this category customers want a Golf, don’t they? The use of a small steering wheel, like the 208, is a must, Gilles Vidal told us: “once you have tried this configuration of steering wheel, you don’t want to go back…”We believe him.Knowing that the Peugeot mechanicals are usually good, it will certainly be a best-seller…perhaps beating the Golf? Why not…
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IAA 2013 | Citroen C-Cactus

The real buzz of the show was certainly the Citroen C-Cactus Concept. This concept revealed on Tuesday previews two things: the identity of the C-line and 90% of what the future crossover C4-Cactus will be. This Cactus is the conclusion of a program initiated in 2007 with the first Cactus, also debuted at the IAA.
It is a basic car. Simple, sober — just the essentials. Citroen is clearly taking the direction of design simplicity, while some other brands are going different ways… Nobody is right or wrong, each has their own solution for the future.
In terms of simplicity, the first Cactus went a long way.  This new concept car doesn’t go quite that far…but still…
The design demonstrates fluidity. Each line has a function. It is a very quiet and peaceful design. Frederic Duvernier, the exterior designer, uses the graphic of the original DS to design the C-pillar. Using the past to design the future without using the same silhouette…(See Beetle, Mini, Fiat 500…), what a good and fresh idea… The main innovation on the exterior is the use of a Citroen patent called AirBump. The bumper is made of a spongy material that includes air capsules that absorbs a deformation of 2cm. On the production car, to be launched in Geneva, the customer will be able to customize the Airbump with a large choice of colors. The showcar had no windows, but naturally they will be on the production car. One detail is that the rear windows will be a ‘crack open’ style instead of the typical roll down…
The Cactus shares its slim headlamp with the C4-Picasso. All graphics are very strong. The interior is very interesting. Once again it is very simple in its use of volumes. The front seat can welcome three people and is in one piece. The production car will have the same room, but with a 1/3-2/3 accommodation. To us the two display screens are a little bit strange, but they might represent the desire to give some contrast to this zen interior. Without this technological touch the look might be too simple and boring. If we listen to Jean-Pierre Ploué, the interior shown is very close to the production model…
Let’s wait! Even though Geneva is just around the corner in March…