Autoblog

BMW Isetta gets reimagined as the eSetta

Chris Tutor — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, BMW, Design/Style, Electric

The venerable Isetta was tiny, cheap and nimble transportation in post-World-War-II Europe. In this day of $4-a-gallon gas, could a similar car be an attractive alternative? That's the question University of Applied Arts graduate Tony Weichselbraun asked as he endeavored to imagine a modern Isetta.

Tony calls his interpretation the eSetta, with the "e" indicating an electric motor in place of the original Isetta's gasoline-powered motorcycle engine. Such a small package couldn't hold much of a battery pack, but it doesn't need to in Tony's plan. The eSetta would be part of a car sharing system where the little cars would be charged via induction stations where the eSetta could be borrowed and returned.

For now, the eSetta is only a concept, but its familiar retro look and frugal philosophy could do well for short trips in a compact urban center.

BMW Isetta gets reimagined as the eSetta originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mangusta Legacy Concept just as badass as the original

Zach Bowman — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Design/Style, Luxury

The world would be a much happier place with a little more De Tomaso Mangusta. The Pantera predecessor featured sexy Italian styling, Ford V8 power and properly scary handling. Only 401 units were built between 1967 and 1971, making the gull-wing machine a proper unicorn for any collector of Italian absurdities.

One designer and illustrator has taken it upon himself to envision what a modern interpretation of the Mangusta might look like. The result is the Mangusta Legacy. Maxime de Keiser wanted to preserve the vehicle's low-slung, wide stance and give the Legacy an "impression of wild ferocity."

We like the sound of that.

The illustrator's design sketches and renderings look top notch. With its aggressive side air inlets, fiercely-raked windshield and pop-up rear wing, the machine looks like it could roll off of a production line any second. We dig it. Head over to CarBodyDesign for a closer look.

Mangusta Legacy Concept just as badass as the original originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Evos Concept is a sexy sign of things to come [w/ video]

Zach Bowman — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Design/Style, Electric

We now know what Ford is planning for the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The manufacturer has released a slew of photos and information on its new Evos Concept - a design study that will likely influence the look of the company's products in the near future. While we aren't likely to see many four-door gullwing hatchbacks in the Ford product line any time soon, chances are that the automaker's artists will roll in elements like smaller, more discreet headlamps, more vertical hexoganal grille and a sleek silhouette. According to Ford design guru J Mays, the new look is penned, "not to provoke, but to seduce."

The look is likely to command Ford design for the next five years or so, and you won't hear any complaints from us on that front. Inside, the Evos also hints toward what's coming down the pike in terms of interior design as well. With a driver-oriented instrument panel and an inverted 'L' climate system, Mays says that future Ford models will boast a more cockpit-like feel.

Befitting a true concept car, Ford says that the Evos is powered by the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain found in the C-Max Energi. That means that a set of lithium-ion batteries store and release electricity to allow the vehicle to operate primarily as an electric vehicle. Hit the jump for the press release and a video on the concept.

Continue reading Ford Evos Concept is a sexy sign of things to come [w/ video]

Ford Evos Concept is a sexy sign of things to come [w/ video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-Gen Cadillac Escalade spotted on the wall? *UPDATE

Zach Bowman — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Cadillac, Design/Style, Luxury

General Motors was busy celebrating the 10th anniversary of the company's North Hollywood Advanced Design Center last night, even going so far as to unveil the Cadillac Urban Concept to mark the occasion. While the futuristic-looking concept is interesting enough in its own right, our curiosity has been piqued by what was on the wall behind the design study. Look close, and you'll see one big, hulking SUV the likes of which we've never seen before. Could this be our first look at the next-generation Cadillac Escalade? It's entirely possible. The big, body-on-frame beast hasn't received a significant update since 2007.

With its over-sized grille, fender arches and C-pillar, it's apparent that this this is little more than a design concept, though it could give us a peak into where Cadillac envisions its big-money SUV heading in the near future. Head over to the GM Inside News forum for another look. Thanks for the tip, Ed!

UPDATE: We're told that this is in no way the next Escalade. Instead, the vehicle you see above is just one of many designs that the Advanced Design Center showed off as part of its portfolio of recent work. That means that we won't be seeing this machine on the road any time soon.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Next-Gen Cadillac Escalade spotted on the wall? *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Big Mac: British design student pens McLaren F1 successor

Noah Joseph — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Design/Style

McLaren LM5 design study by Matt Williams - Click above for image gallery

Since hiring Frank Stephenson as its styling chief last year, the nascent McLaren Automotive hasn't been lacking for design talent. But the general consensus over his first design at Woking seems to be that the MP4-12C is missing a touch of originality to set it apart from other supercars. Enter one Matt Williams, a recent graduate of the transportation design program at England's Coventry University who thinks he can do a better job with the study you see here.

Positioned above the MP4-12C in McLaren's product porfolio, the LM5 concept is envisioned as a successor to the venerable McLaren F1. That means three seats across, with a central driving position. That means power provided by BMW's M division; a retuned version of company's soon-to-be-retired 5.0-liter V10 in this case. And of course, that means epic performance. Unfortunately, it's just a concept car, extant only in the clay and CAD. So for now, we'll just have to sit and wait to see what Stephenson and his colleagues at McLaren cook up next, admiring the images in the gallery below in the meantime.

Gallery: McLaren LM5 design study by Matt Williams

[Source: Diseno-art.com]

The Big Mac: British design student pens McLaren F1 successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian designer works with Zagato on ZR1-based Iso Rivolta Marella concept

Noah Joseph — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Russia, Design/Style

Iso Rivolta Marella design study - Click above for high-res image gallery

Front-engine rear-drive aluminum chassis, 640-horsepower supercharged V8 engine, high bang:buck ratio... Chevrolet's Corvette ZR1 has got it all. No wonder it's proving to be such a compelling choice for coachbuilders. Reviving the time-honored tradition in re-cloaking Vettes with Italian sheetmetal, the resurgent Stile Bertone used the ZR1 as the basis for the Mantide. And now, a Russian design student has teamed up with rival design house Zagato for another coachbuilt supercar concept based on the ZR1.

The Marella design study revives the Iso Rivolta nameplate, as imagined by one Fedor Stetskevich of the Moscow State University of Industrial and Applied Arts. Commonly known as the Stroganov (yes, you sophisticate, like the beef dish) the university was founded in 1825 and stands as one of Russia's oldest design schools. As you can see, Steskevich collaborated directly with Zagato on the project - which currently exists only as a model - and you can see a lot of resemblance to the Perana Z-One. Beyond that, we'll let the work speak for itself, so have a look in the extensive high-resolution image gallery below and you can leave your thoughts in the Comments below that.

Gallery: Iso Rivolta Marella design study by Fedor Stetskevich & Zagato

[Source: CarDesign.ru via CarScoop]

Russian designer works with Zagato on ZR1-based Iso Rivolta Marella concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alternative Romeo: Alfa Berlina Da Corsa design study

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Berlina Da Corsa design study - Click above for a high-res image gallery

We've never made any attempt to hide our love of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, an exotic GT widely regarded as one of the most beautiful shapes the industry has put on the road in decades. But at the same time, we can't help but feel a little remiss that the Italian automaker has decided to replicate the 8C's design elements over the rest of its line at the expense of other design themes. Like the sharp lines of the 159 and Brera, set to be replaced on the upcoming Giulia with 8C-derived styling. Or this design study, recalling classic Alfa Romeos of yore, but with a modern twist.

The brainchild of South Korea's Hongik University Transportation Design graduate Seongjun Ko, the Berlina Da Corsa (racing sedan) borrows cues from 60's and 70's Alfas like the GT 1300 Junior and 1750 GTV, and there's even a little Lancia Stratos in the greenhouse. But the trick to the design is an adaptable roofline composed of flexible wires that, not unlike the BMW GINA concept, can change the shape of the roof to streamline for racing applications or adapt to accommodate rear-seat passengers. Unfortunately, the aggressive, almost Dodge Challenger-esque front end gives way to an awkward tail, but the idea isn't without merit. We just hope Alfa Romeo is paying attention. Check out the extensive renderings, models and sketches in the high-resolution gallery below and see for yourself.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Berlina Da Corsa design study

[Source: Cardesign.ru]

Alternative Romeo: Alfa Berlina Da Corsa design study originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION previews new E-Class

Alex Nunez — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

When the doors open at the Paris Motor Show next month, Mercedes-Benz will be giving everyone a sneak peek of the new E-Class front-end styling. No, not in the form of the new E-Class itself, which will be unveiled at a later date, but in the ConceptFASCINATION, an attractive shooting brake concept based on the upcoming E-Class Coupe's architecture and featuring the new E's front-end styling.

Gone are the round headlamps we've become accustomed to. In their place are new "rhomboid" lamps that, on the show car at least, incorporate fiber-optic driving lights. The grille will likely be the same one seen on the new E Coupe, while we'd expect the sedan to have the traditional grille-and-hood-ornament combo instead. Power comes from Mercedes' new 2.2L, 204-horsepower BlueTEC (with AdBlue) 4-cylinder diesel, which will make its production debut this fall in the Euro-market C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY ~~Super Verbose~~ Prime Edition sedan.

The ConceptFASCINATION's cargo area is covered in wood, and boasts such show-car goodies as a folding glass table that can be pulled rearward, a humidor, a chilled compartment (natch), and storage for binoculars and a camera. A pronounced rear fender arch lends some visual muscle to the whole affair. Hopefully, that's also a hint at what the inevitable E-Class wagon's rump is going to look like. As for the new front end, it's a lot better looking here than spy shots have led us to believe. We'll have much more next month from Paris. In the meantime, Mercedes' extensive press release is pasted after the jump.

UPDATE: New high-res images added to gallery.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION previews new E-Class

Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION previews new E-Class originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Shiraz is half car, half SUV, all odd

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Crossover, Nissan

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Nissan Shiraz Concept

Design student Miguel Ángel Iranzo Sánchez created the vehicle you see above, and he describes it as "a mix between a[n] SUV and a sportscar infused with Nissan brand DNA." For his efforts, which took an entire summer, he won a scholarship to get his Masters in Car Design in Valencia, and -- put on your Price is Right voice for this -- a brand new car! A Nissan Note, to be exact.

Billed as 100-percent all-terrain, ecological, sporty, and Nissan, we admit it's interesting. The doors are gullwing, and the interior is terrific concept car simplicity. And our guess is that the purple glassworks have to do with the purple drink after which the car is named. But that vastly arcing front end that descends to the windshield... well, that just reminds us of a moose. Bullwinkle, to be exact. And the rear end reminds us of something that... excretes things. But have a look at the gallery of hi-res images below, and let us know what you think. While the Shiraz isn't exactly us, with the Seat Brisa on the other hand, now we're getting somewhere... Thanks for the tip, Yogesh!

Gallery: Nissan Shiraz Concept

[Source: Design Launches]

Nissan Shiraz is half car, half SUV, all odd originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"

Alex Nunez — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Green, Honda, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Honda OSM

Honda says that the OSM roadster on display at the 2008 British Motor Show is merely a design study, but given that "design study" is frequently a euphemism for "future design language," we wonder if we're seeing the next iteration of Honda car styling. Frankly, we hope so, because this is worlds better than what we've seen from the automaker of late, from the Accord right on up to the bland and bloated Pilot. The OSM, short for Open Study Model, is a shapely two-seat convertible that we'd be happy to drive today. Well, maybe with headlamps that weren't lightsaber-sized. Other than that, we love the jaunty look, especially in back, where the taillamps sweep gently from one side of the car to the other. Since it's a styling exercise, there's no specific powertrain combination associated with it, but Honda assures us that the car is an indication that lightweight, low-emissions motoring needn't be boring. No kidding, guys. Inside, the cockpit basically evolves the two-tier instrument panel you'll find in the current Civic into a far more attractive driving environment that we hope to see in road cars sooner than later. While Honda says there's no plan to create a production sport/econo roadster like this anytime soon, somebody's obviously thinking about it. Future S2000 replacement, maybe? "Design studies" such as this don't happen by accident.

Gallery: Honda OSM Concept

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"

London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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W�rthersee 2008: VW Golf GTI Performance study on display

Alex Nunez — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for high-res gallery of the VW Golf GTI Performance

VW hasn't released any info on the car you see here, which is called the Golf GTI Performance design study, so we'll call it like we see it. A black-and-copper checkered flag motif adorns the hatch, which is enhanced with a widebody kit, lowered suspension, and the expected wheel/tire upgrade. Out back, the GTI's rear bumper cover is covered with more grillework than you'll find on the rump of a Lamborghini Gallardo. A pair of giant exhaust outlet cutouts are also built into the corners. And speaking of Lamborghinis, VW has fitted the Golf GTI Performance with the dreaded "Lambo doors," which look predictably ridiculous here. The exterior color scheme carries through to the passenger cabin, which gets a 2+1 sport seating arrangement and what appears to be a substantial audio system install. Not our cup 'o tea, but it'll probably go over very well with the VW tuners who take part in the WörtherSEMA... er.. Wörthersee Tour.

Gallery: Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance

[Source: Volkswagen]

W�rthersee 2008: VW Golf GTI Performance study on display originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 May 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008, a Space Oddity: Italdesign-Giugiaro Quantara

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green

Click above for high-res gallery of the Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta concept

Beauty may be in the eye of the proverbial beholder and all that, but the Italdesign Quaranta wasn't quite the beauty of the Geneva ball. And while Giorgetto Giugiaro, the celebrated designer at the studio's helm, has more iconic designs to his name than we could possibly list here, his latest was not his best, easily outclassed by the Giugiaro Mustang concept with which we fell so deeply in love and the Ferrari GG50 he built for himself.

The Quaranta concept was built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Italdesign Giugiaro, and features the Lexus RX400h's mid-mounted hybrid 3.3-liter V6 powerplant driving all four wheels through a CVT and supported by a solar panel on the unfortunately styled nose. Think of archrival Pininfarina's Maserati Birdcage concept crossed with Robocop 3 and you're beginning to get the picture. While we're reassured by the knowledge that this is purely a design study and has no chance of seeing production, we wonder what the future holds if this is what's supposedly pointing towards it.

We managed to assuage our angst long enough to snap off a few photos, which we've added to the gallery below along with the images released by the studio.

Gallery: Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta Concept

Continue reading Geneva 2008, a Space Oddity: Italdesign-Giugiaro Quantara

Geneva 2008, a Space Oddity: Italdesign-Giugiaro Quantara originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: IED Maserarti Chicane concept

Noah Joseph — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Maserati

Any regular reader of Autoblog should know that the major automakers aren't the only ones unveiling striking new concept cars. In fact, independent designers tend to create even more exciting concepts than the big boys. All the more so for design students who give us a preview of what the future holds for creative automotive design. This year the graduate students at the Instituto Europeo di Design (we'll let you decipher the translation yourself) are coming to Geneva with a full-size concept Maserati.

The Chicane concept you see above is a take on what the anticipated upcoming entry-level Maserati sports coupe could look like. Like the GranTurismo, the Chicane is a 2+2 with a front-mounted V8 driving the rear wheels, but while it retains certain Maserati design elements, the IED students have done away with some of the elegance of the GranTurismo in favor of more sportiness: at 4.4 meters long, it's some 400mm shorter than the Pininfarina-designed GT, and it ditches the chrome for a more menacing look. We particularly like the recessed headlights.

[Source: Car Body Design]

Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: IED Maserarti Chicane concept

Geneva '08 Preview: IED Maserarti Chicane concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study"

Alex Nunez — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Wagon, Europe

Click image for photo gallery

Based on the Fabia Combi (wagon) that's making its world debut for Škoda at Frankfurt, the Fabia Scout "design study" on the show floor is, in all likelihood, a lock for production. Škoda already offers an Octavia Scout and a Roomster Scout, both of which are dressed up allroad/Outback-style with unpainted lower cladding to give the cars a tougher, SUV-ish look. In the case of the Octavia Scout, it actually has 4WD, too, because that's an option on the regular Octavia. Don't expect the same from the Fabia Scout, as the car it's based on is FWD-only. We expect to see the Fabia Scout in European showrooms wearing the exact same duds as the very production-looking show car you see above. File it under "concept in name only."

[Source: Škoda]

Gallery: Skoda Fabia Scout

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study"

Frankfurt 2007: ?koda Fabia Scout "Design Study" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Next-gen VW sport hatch

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, China, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

You can probably guess how much fun reading our mail is here at Autoblog. Tips and comments come flooding in all day and all night. Sometimes the tips are good, sometimes not so much, and sometimes we just can't figure them out. Whether it's a missing link, an incorrect link, or a link to a foreign language site, we sometimes have to pass on what might have been a great post. Of course, there are times when just the graphic is enough to create a post, because it is so compelling. Despite a lack of information, we occasionally decide to run a story with little or no supporting material. As you can probably guess, this is one of those times. We got this tip about an artist's interpretation of a future VW. Whether it's supposed to be a new Polo or Golf is unknown, but it definitely has style to spare and we felt like it was interesting enough to share with all of you. The best guess at a translation of the text is printed after the jump.

Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

[Source: Sina Blog]

Continue reading Rendered Speculation: Next-gen VW sport hatch

Rendered Speculation: Next-gen VW sport hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: ?koda Joyster Concept

Alex Nunez — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback

The Paris Auto Show is around the corner, and automakers are steadily pumping out announcements in advance of the big event. Today, Škoda officially sent out word of the Joyster Concept vehicle it'll be unveiling in France.

The Joyster is a 3-door design study that hints at a future styling direction for the Czech automaker. Currently, most Škoda products clearly show their Volkswagen roots, but if the Joyster is any indication, that may be changing. Škoda appears to be developing a style all its own, much in the manner of another VW Group corporate cousin, SEAT, whose cars have a unique look even though they're based on VW mechanicals.

The sketch released shows the Joyster as having blacked-out A- and B-pillars, giving the front and side glass a wraparound look. The C-pillar is of the huge-blind-spot variety that seems to be very much in style nowadays. Slick, aggressive headlights and a bulging hood and fenders, and what appears to be a glass roof complete the package.

Inside, Škoda says that roominess, comfort and technology all combine to support the company's motto, "Simply Clever." We'll judge that for ourselves when we touch down in Paris next week.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Škoda]

Continue reading Paris Preview: ?koda Joyster Concept

Paris Preview: ?koda Joyster Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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