Honda, Acura, Ford, Mazda, Volkswagen and Hyundai all debuted new auto concepts last December 1-10 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The show featured seven of the best automobile concepts created by 6 of the leading automobile companies in the world.
Don't blink. One of these could be the one you'll be driving, not far from now.
The Honda Step Box
Looking like something you’d see on the streets of the Roppongi District of Tokyo, the Honda Step Box concept is a mini-van any lover of small, oddly shaped vehicles can get behind. Honda has been using the word “step” in car names since the 1970’s — “step” describing any boxy, utility-oriented vehicle.Designed as an expression of Honda’s packaging prowess, the Step Box features a mid-engine design and a fully maximized and quickly adaptable interior. Envisioned as an urban vehicle, the Step Box uses maximum interior space while minimizing exterior size — Oh, it’s really cute too.
The Acura Advanced Sedan
Acura has gone increasingly upscale the past few years and the new advanced Sedan Concept sufficiently outlines their new design strategy. “The goal of the Advanced Sedan Concept was to look two generations ahead of where we are now and capture the essence of an ultra luxurious sedan, but give it a bolder, stealthier, more mysterious presence than contemporary vehicles,” says Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D. “We think that the vehicles sleek lines recall the past while also looking forward to the future.”
The Volkswagen Tiguan
As close to an actual production model seen at the auto show, Volkswagen’s Concept Tiguan, which VW bills as a “small Touareg” is the manufacturer’s entry into the crossover market and is set to come to market at the end of 2007. The Tiguan is powered by a new BLUETEC “Clean TDI” turbo diesel developed with partners Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
The Honda REMIX
Honda’s REMIX, a small two-seat design concept is built around the traditional Honda set up -- a front-wheel drive platform with a 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Throw in a sport suspension, large brakes and tires and you’ve got the Civic Si of the future.
The Hyundai HDC10 Hellion
A car inspired by a backpack? Only in California. “The Hellion was inspired by a backpack designed by Oakley,” says Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai California Design Center. “The subtle camouflage print pattern on the removable soft-top roof and seat inserts was inspired by surf wear. Camo is a very popular fashion statement that transpired from the SoCal surf culture.”
The Mazda Nagare
Like an RX-8 from the future, the Nagare – Japanese for “flow” – is a four-seater sports car, powered by a hydrogen-fueled rotary engine. Mazda’s global design director, Laurens van den Acker sums it up: “The Nagare is a celebration of proportions and surface language that will evolve into subsequent designs planned for presentation at future international auto shows. Nagare examines light and shadow, and begins to reveal the global design cues for the next generation of Mazda vehicles.”
The Ford Mustang by Giugiaro
While not a brand-new from scratch design concept, the Mustang by Giugiaro is a reinterpretation of the Pony Car by famed Italian design house Italdesign – Giugiaro S.P.A. With its seductive lines, muscular swagger, large glass roof and Ford racing underpinnings, designer Fabrizio Giugiaro took an American classic and transmogrified it into an Autostrada Killer. Expect to see this vehicle at Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise for years and years to come. Multo bellissimo, Ford.
---
“Concept vehicles give us the chance to stretch our design ability and take more risk and experiment with new design aesthetics to determine what will resonate with customers and the press,” says Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai California Design Center. “It’s a great and not so expensive way to create more brand awareness while “testing the waters” to see what could be relevant in the future.”
---
Don't blink. One of these could be the one you'll be driving, not far from now.
The Honda Step BoxLooking like something you’d see on the streets of the Roppongi District of Tokyo, the Honda Step Box concept is a mini-van any lover of small, oddly shaped vehicles can get behind. Honda has been using the word “step” in car names since the 1970’s — “step” describing any boxy, utility-oriented vehicle.Designed as an expression of Honda’s packaging prowess, the Step Box features a mid-engine design and a fully maximized and quickly adaptable interior. Envisioned as an urban vehicle, the Step Box uses maximum interior space while minimizing exterior size — Oh, it’s really cute too.
The Acura Advanced SedanAcura has gone increasingly upscale the past few years and the new advanced Sedan Concept sufficiently outlines their new design strategy. “The goal of the Advanced Sedan Concept was to look two generations ahead of where we are now and capture the essence of an ultra luxurious sedan, but give it a bolder, stealthier, more mysterious presence than contemporary vehicles,” says Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D. “We think that the vehicles sleek lines recall the past while also looking forward to the future.”
The Volkswagen TiguanAs close to an actual production model seen at the auto show, Volkswagen’s Concept Tiguan, which VW bills as a “small Touareg” is the manufacturer’s entry into the crossover market and is set to come to market at the end of 2007. The Tiguan is powered by a new BLUETEC “Clean TDI” turbo diesel developed with partners Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
The Honda REMIXHonda’s REMIX, a small two-seat design concept is built around the traditional Honda set up -- a front-wheel drive platform with a 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Throw in a sport suspension, large brakes and tires and you’ve got the Civic Si of the future.
The Hyundai HDC10 HellionA car inspired by a backpack? Only in California. “The Hellion was inspired by a backpack designed by Oakley,” says Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai California Design Center. “The subtle camouflage print pattern on the removable soft-top roof and seat inserts was inspired by surf wear. Camo is a very popular fashion statement that transpired from the SoCal surf culture.”
The Mazda NagareLike an RX-8 from the future, the Nagare – Japanese for “flow” – is a four-seater sports car, powered by a hydrogen-fueled rotary engine. Mazda’s global design director, Laurens van den Acker sums it up: “The Nagare is a celebration of proportions and surface language that will evolve into subsequent designs planned for presentation at future international auto shows. Nagare examines light and shadow, and begins to reveal the global design cues for the next generation of Mazda vehicles.”
The Ford Mustang by GiugiaroWhile not a brand-new from scratch design concept, the Mustang by Giugiaro is a reinterpretation of the Pony Car by famed Italian design house Italdesign – Giugiaro S.P.A. With its seductive lines, muscular swagger, large glass roof and Ford racing underpinnings, designer Fabrizio Giugiaro took an American classic and transmogrified it into an Autostrada Killer. Expect to see this vehicle at Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise for years and years to come. Multo bellissimo, Ford.
---
“Concept vehicles give us the chance to stretch our design ability and take more risk and experiment with new design aesthetics to determine what will resonate with customers and the press,” says Joel Piaskowski, chief designer, Hyundai California Design Center. “It’s a great and not so expensive way to create more brand awareness while “testing the waters” to see what could be relevant in the future.”
---
*Taken from the article "LA Auto Show: Concept Cars" by Jon Alain Guzik
Yahoo! Autos (December 2006)
All names apprearing in this post are trademarks of their respective owners.
Yahoo! Autos (December 2006)
All names apprearing in this post are trademarks of their respective owners.
..rheyian™ XD
1 comment:
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
money
Post a Comment