The T-ROC SUV concept car seems to be a car from another company. Compared with the other Volkswagen products on the same booth we see a big difference – and we like it. Let’s hope that we see this SUV, with its new front-end design, on the road very soon. Listening to VW the progressive design of the front end demonstrates a new approach to small SUVs.
From the interior, we can see that digital concepts are becoming more and more widely utilized by Volkswagen group. Digital technology certainly offers many new possibilities, but it also requires drivers to be capable computer users if they are to fully benefit from and appreciate the functionality. Concerning all the available cameras that watch over our every move — we are not yet addicted.
After the Concept Coupé in Frankfort and the XC Coupé in Detroit, Volvo has unveiled latest showcar of its trilogy: the Concept Estate. What can we say but that the third concept is the most ambitious especially in its interior. This shooting brake continues to give us a hint of what the future exterior design of Volvo will be. When we see it, we know it is a Volvo. Designers have taken their inspiration in the history of the Scandinavian brand: the 1800 ES from the early 1970s. It is clear, especially on the rear part.
Volvo has introduced all new digital concepts for the interior preserving what we expect from Volvo. Thanks to its association with Volvo’s specially designed software, the touch screen will be the main control panel for in-car user experience. Almost all buttons are replaced and we appreciate, however, that there are still a few dedicated for crucial commands (volume, play/pause, hazard warning…)
Touchscreen is nice but important controls need physical commands.
If the XC Concept is anticipating the future XC90 due in a year, there is no doubt that this Estate gives us significant clues of a future model…
Major autoshows (at least the ones we cover) follow one after the other, but they are certainly not alike. Last September, the IAA in Frankfurt gave us a reminder of how powerful the German industry is. In early January, the NAIAS in Detroit taught us that the American car industry is very much alive and has reached full revival. As usual the Geneva show is the first European event of the year. This exhibition in the Palexpo is understated and takes place in a uniquely neutral environment. Unlike some of the other shows, here everything stays close to a human scale…more intimate, more manageable. It feels like a jewelry show…
And because it takes place on neutral ground, it seems that all kinds of different trends are represented. Small design houses stand next to big OEM’s. Many concepts cars are introduced, but there are also world premieres of important high volume production cars…
Urban and compact vehicles are well represented at this edition with the unveiling of the Twingo III, Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 108 for example.
The main trend is that less fuel consumption and lower emissions are paramount. Most companies are working on reducing the number of cylinders (e.g. Audi TT with a 2.0l 4 cylinder making 420HP) and/or building hybrid or electrical solutions.
The future is just next door…..and the future looks cool and peaceful…
The Audi TT and TTS will be introduced tomorrow at the Geneva show. But photo previews have been launched today.
When the first-generation Audi TT came on the market in 1998 it was a design revolution – its strictly geometrical, formally coherent design language made it an icon with huge charisma.
And we can already say that if the TT MkII did not follow the language of the orignal, the TT MkIII comes back to the roots ! Just check the side view…
But let’s see that tomorrow in the flesh…!
For the interior design the use of new technology is going to be a hit ! Once again the rule was « less is more ».
No doubt that like the original version, this TT will inspire many coming design and will setup a new standard for design language.
So, the domestic manufacturers in the US have returned to pretty much full strength, even though the concept cars that were once their hallmark at the Detroit show, have now become more the province of the Asians and the Europeans. Only Cadillac maintained some element of the tradition with the Elmiraj concept, — although this car was actually introduced at Pebble Beach last August.
Nevertheless, the show was a success for all concerned, including the much-maligned City itself. The US remains a key market and a tough battleground that global manufacturers must conquer to succeed in today’s auto industry.
The Koreans have made great strides in the US market, steadily increasing market share and delivering excellent quality products. Their two-pronged dual brand strategy seems to be working as they relentlessly move up market. The Hyundai Equus and Kia K900 4 door luxury sedan models are priced in the $62,000 to $67,000 range. This is pretty rarified air and it remains to be seen if this will be a step to far at this point in the brands’ development.
To add some excitement, Kia introduced the GT4 Stinger concept, a two-seat sport coupe with a somewhat retro look. The forms were smooth and without a lot of the heavy sculpturing that we have seen on many other concepts. Most striking is the front end. The grill is bold and open, with a narrow bright surround featuring a subtle version of the Kia look. More important, however, are the unique headlamps, cleverly styled into the leading edge of the front fenders. The lights themselves are made up of 6 horizontal LEDs forming a rectangular block. This breaks new ground and is like nothing we have seen before.
The bodyside has pronounced wheel arches, but remains simple and elegant. The wheels were ‘different’, but not to our taste. At the rear, the back window flows into the glossy black back panel which is contained on each side by bold ‘C’-shaped taillamps. All in all it was a very attractive concept from Kia. Let’s hope that they bring something like this into production.
Honda, like Toyota, continues to pursue the fuel cell as a future energy source, unfortunately the FCEV concept that they displayed was a bit too extreme for mainstream appeal. Like the failed Honda Insight, there are elements of the car that would probably make it “sale proof”! The front end is interesting with wide splits or vents that extend from the bottom edge of the front fascia all the way to the windshield. Viewed from the side or the rear, however, the car just looks ponderous and heavy. We are sure that the covered rear wheels, long roof and high tail all contribute to a low drag coefficient (although the relatively wide body must be a negative) they add up to a car that is just not appealing – environmentally friendly though it may be.
Honda also introduced the next generation Fit. Aside from the ugly yellow color on one of the cars, the new version is well executed but rather boring. The prior generation made a statement as a ‘tall’ car, the new one may get lost in the crowd.
Acura unveiled the TLX concept, a conservatively styled 4 door, which we understand, is very close to the production version on the TL replacement. The stance is strong, the overall impression is somewhat sporty, the 5 square LED headlamps give it a unique look and, finally, here is a design where the Acura grill actually works.
On the first press day, Nissan displayed the IDx Freeflow and Nismo concepts that debuted in Tokyo last year. This concept was an exercise in co-creation and was developed in close coordination with target customers from the “digital native generation” — those born after 1990. They proposed a simple, ideally proportioned 3-box design, without legacy references. Although it looked fresh, it did remind us of some older Datsun products, especially the B210. A little bit « vintage », just enough retro…This might work in Japan, but we don’t see it as a global product.
On the second media day, Nissan unveiled the SSC or Sport Sedan Concept that is being positioned as a pre-curser to the Maxima replacement. Resplendent in ‘Strad-Amber’ orange paint, it made quite a statement and is way sportier looking than the present Maxima. The SSC might be overdone for that segment of the market and for many people at the show, but isn’t the whole point of a concept vehicle to stretch the thinking of both the designers and the customers? We would expect that the aggressive “V-Motion” front end with flying V (some say boomerang) headlamps would be toned down for the production car, but its key feature, a long floating roof extending almost to the rear of the decklid is probably going to be retained to a significant extent. This roofline gives the impression of a streamlined cabin with a substantial lower body. The SSC and the Toyota FT-1 put the industry on notice that the Japanese manufacturers are intent on taking a new styling direction away from dull cars and into a dramatic new era.
Infinity unveiled the ‘in your face’ Q50 Eau Rouge, a four door sports sedan clearly targeted at Mercedes Benz AMG models and BMW M Series. With a suitable powertrain – say from the Nissan GTR, this car could take the fight to establishment in Europe. With the name, the F1 accents front and rear, great wheels, carbon fiber galore and Sebastian Vettel as the Director of Performance, this could really work. There is a lot of uniqueness from the Q50, but let’s hope Infinity can make financial sense of this – it looks like fun. By the way, inside there is red infused carbon fiber on the doors and the center console; outside the color was created by spraying 24 coats of red-tinted clear over a silver base coat.
Lexus should watch their friends at Infinity a little more closely. The Infinity Q30 hatchback, compact SUV concept (yes, another one) in an interesting shade of copper is an example of how it should be done. The vehicle is dramatic without being overdone. The forms, proportions and features are exciting yet the vehicle looks real and production ready. In this genre, Infinity may have one of the best solutions.
The wildest and most exciting car at the show was undoubtedly the Toyota FT-1 concept — which stands for ‘Future Toyota – Number 1’. Designed at the CALTY studio in California, the FT-1 certainly lives up to Akio Toyoda’s new ethos “No more boring cars”. Its Formula One style nose, splitter, rear diffuser and ‘rain light’ scream “speed”. The huge 21 – inch wheels, sleek sculptured body, exposed engine under a clear panel in the hood and giant deployable rear spoiler yell “more speed”. Then when you open the door and see the minimalist interior with heads up display and Formula One style steering wheel, you just want to jump in and drive!
In contrast, the Toyota FCV fuel cell concept car was downright ugly. Its gaping ‘mouth’ and huge ‘gills’ at the front create a face only a mother could love. The strong bodyside feature line originating at the rocker just behind the front wheel, climbing up over the top of the rear wheel and terminating in the taillamp does little to minimize the high belt and awkward proportions. No CALTY Design here………. The FCV concept was gone by the time the show opened to the public. It was replaced on the very large turntable by a very small, tilting, three-wheel, mini vehicle. Maybe the ugly concept car wasn’t so bad after all?
New from Lexus was the RC 350, another 2-door coupe to join the fray. It is attractive from the rear and rear three quarter views, but the front end is way over the top for our taste. The Lexus “bobbin” grill has grown to maximum proportions with three different insert textures, plenty of brightwork and two small round (fog ?) lamps integrated into the bright trim below the bumper area. It is all just too much. To make matters worse there is a feature line that starts alongside the headlamp and wanders up over the wheel flare to the base of the A-Pillar. It does not help.
The performance version of this coupe, the RC F, helps things a little with a less complex grill — but it remains huge and unattractive. Some scoops and other performance ‘add-ons’ also help, but I think we will “pass” on this one.
As a possible entry in the luxury compact SUV club, Lexus displayed the LF NX concept. Unfortunately this one does not work for us either. The huge Lexus grill is, well, huge. The body has extreme sculpturing, it sits too high on wheels and the rear end has over-sized elaborate tailamps, plus a diffuser fit for Le Mans. It was all too much and I would rather not talk about it any more!
The best thing on the Lexus exhibit was an LFA on a simulated rolling road with the associated sound track of the car going through the gears. Music to the ears!
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