Rendered Speculation: Fiat Topolino by Paolo Martin
We see a lot of rendered speculation on upcoming models, but they're seldom penned by renowned designers. However as Fiat prepares to revive the classic Topolino, Italian magazine Ruoteclassiche commissioned designer Paolo Martin – former of Bertone, Pininfarina and Ghia – to render his interpretation of how the tiny retro runabout could (or should) look.
Martin says he strove to "maintain the original spirit" of the Topolino, "with similar proportions, protruding front end and fenders, a nearly-identical grille, circular headlamps, short rear overhang and spare tire covered and integrated in the rear tailgate." The Topolino will be built at Fiat's newly-acquired Zastava plant in Serbia as a budget city-car, positioned below the 500, and despite Panda/500 underpinnings could get a rear-engine layout for the 0.9-liter two cylinder engine with DSG and start-stop technology.
[Source: Car Body Design]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
BlackCanary 6:04PM (7/02/2008)
I saw one of those on Ebay - it is a 68 Beetle with the Rolls Royce body kit.
Wow that is really ugly.
I give you...the Homer!
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Jeremy S 11:12PM (7/02/2008)
better looking than most small concept cars out there. I would much rather companies take chances like this than keep introducing Foci, Yaris, etc. Shave away the cartoonish features and you could have a sexy shape.
The Luigiian 6:12PM (7/02/2008)
Looks expensive but ugly nonetheless. Kinda like a Rolls Royce Phantom.
Or like Volkswagen decided to give an upscale version of the Beetle to Bentley.
Of course, it might look a little better if the artist spent more than five minutes on it. What the hell's up with the windows in that thing?
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Duncan 6:30PM (7/02/2008)
Why are there drag slicks on the front end and roller skate wheels on the back?
Also, is Lancia pissed about the use of their grille shape? I mean, if anyone's got the rights to slap that nose on a small car, it's clearly Lancia. They've proven it too many times already.
Dausman 6:34PM (7/02/2008)
Essentially same grill as old Topolino...rest is ??, but still a nice looking retro design....micro size. We will never see it in the U.S.
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BlackCanary 10:37PM (7/02/2008)
"We will never see it in the U.S."
Thankfully! That could be the worst looking car I have ever seen or at least the worst idea for a car.
Eek 6:54PM (7/02/2008)
Wow, this guy was a designer professionally? I hope he puts out better renders when he's being paid...
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meshies 8:53PM (7/02/2008)
Serious. That is one of the worst renderings I have ever seen.
Nuieve 9:35PM (7/02/2008)
I like it a lot. Looks cool in a cartoonish way. A unique shape too. And looks fast and like a complete coupe while probably not being much longer than ForTwo.
chrisdavis 7:01PM (7/02/2008)
Step away from Illustrator immediately. The gradient fill is not your friend.
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Craig 10:03PM (7/02/2008)
Really though - I use Illustrator on a regular basis for car illustration (my avatar is one), and you can be effective with gradients if you use them right. The drawing seems off in ever manner though - the proportions are all wonky.
Michael 7:42PM (7/02/2008)
Shouldn't the article say DCT not DSG since DSG is a VW acronym? I see the the letters DSG tossed around a lot outside of VAG.
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Car Designer 9:35PM (7/02/2008)
wow, this guy blows royally...not just at rendering, perspective, and basic drawing skills, but at DESIGN. You know, the important stuff that you do after you learn the basics as a student. I am ashamed to be called a designer if this guy is. And I feel bad for the many students every year (more talented than this) that get turned away from the industry. Give any designer in my studio 20 minutes, and we can give you a sketch that is not only drawn better, but also designed better...this guy sucks!
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Gargamello 11:30PM (7/02/2008)
I was thinking the same thing. There are so very many more talented illustrators than this tool. If you're going to have the good fortune to have your work exhibited on a large stage, make it good. This guy didn't take that extra care.
azzo45 10:34AM (7/03/2008)
Yes... agree 100%! I know this hack did not graduate from Art Center , CCS, or the Royal Academy of Art. He would have not even got into the Intro classes offered on Saturdays. Terrible presentation & design.
:( :( :(
Bobby 10:53PM (7/02/2008)
Moreover, what's wrong with these dying car manufacturers nowadays? Can't they just create something new? Gina, R8, XF, Panamera? Trying to revive previously successful models to please buyers are good, but not something to be exploited.
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digi01 10:47PM (7/02/2008)
I agree that this thing looks pretty atrocious, but the designer of the Ferrari Modulo needs some respect here. That is one of the most epic concepts ever designed. I think that the original doesn't really lend itself to a retro remake. A 2CV would be more interesting.
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Jeff Banks 11:35PM (7/02/2008)
Yeah, the Topolino always was kind of a silly idea.
I love the idea of a modern 2CV though...citroen, are you listening?!
Gargamello 11:33PM (7/02/2008)
Dying carmakers?? What rock have you been living under? Fiat's emphasis on small cars has them surviving a lot better than any American carmaker.
To think, GM paid $2 billion+ a few years ago to not have to buy Fiat. Rick Wagoner is such a deuche.
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RPM 11:59PM (7/02/2008)
This is brutal, out of all the amateur car designers out there, many with awesome designs, you post this one up. How much did he pay to get it up here Autoblog?
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