As you may have noticed, I have clearly frowned upon new cars coming out with a distinctly bland and boring design in recent articles. Why? Because there is proof that it does not have to be that way. No, I don’t mean going to flamboyant extremes with over-styled surfacing or just plain weird graphics and detailing. It is possible to make a relatively conservative sedan design and still make it an interesting design statement. Enter the Kia Optima!
-Benz used the new CLS for research into what captures our eyes first and foremost within the first 40 seconds we see a car. An interesting study, with an interesting result.
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19, 2010 — Today, a tie was announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show’s 2010 Design Challenge. After much deliberation, the judges selected the Cadillac Aera and smart 454 WWT as the two well-deserved winners. The designs were selected for their comfort, safety and driving performance without sacrificing the styling consumers demand. This year’s theme challenged automotive design studios to envision a four-passenger, 1,000 lb. Car.
“Deciding this year’s Design Challenge winner was a tremendously difficult decision as the quality of entries has increased throughout the years,” agreed the Design Los Angeles judges. ”This year’s winners the Cadillac Aera and the smart 454 WWT offer two very different visions of the 1,000 lb. Car, yet are equally as amazing. They are both very expressive of their brand; GM is art and science and smart is playful and fun.”
The Cadillac Aera 2+2 touring coupe utilizes a polyhedral, 3D lattice, mono-formed frame with a flexible pressurized polymer skin to optimize weight, aerodynamics and safety. The smart 454 features a chassis “knit” by high-tech robots out of carbon fibre, optimizing flexibility and strength.
The Honda Air concept is a vision of the future of lightweight and alternative fuel performance vehicles; a coastal cruiser for the aggressive lifestyle. Inspired by the modern roller coaster as well as skydiving wing-suits, the Air is powered by a compressed air and pneumatic regulator system. It utilizes turbo vacuums and external air-flow to regenerate tank pressure for extended range and increased boost for an estimated 100 miles. The chassis doubles as the master tank and all components, including seating, are mounted to the central chassis/tank to eliminate redundant structure and reduce overall weight. Continue Reading…
By: Frank Saucedo – Director, Phil Tanioka – Project Manager, Jussi Timonen – Vehicle Designer, Brent Wickham – Concept Strategist, Shawn Moghadam – Layout Designer
The Cadillac Aera (Aero + Era) launches Cadillac’s philosophy of “Art and Science” into new territory by taking an innovative and stylistic approach to ultra-light weight vehicle design. Aera is a 1000 lb, 2+2 touring coupe, with a range of 1000 miles before refueling; attributes achieved without compromising size, capacity and safety.
Optimum efficiency, minimum parts
Aera’s highly advanced body structure utilizes a 3D lattice, mono-formed frame. This polyhedral structure is similar to configurations found consistently in nature, e.g., inside the grouping of bubbles. The structure is formed from unique, alloy-utilizing, semi-solid freeform manufacturing, creating a naturally strong, extremely lightweight frame. All major body parts, including interior components, are essentially “grown” into a single part lattice structure.
Jaguar has revealed a stunning range-extended electric supercar concept car. The C-X75 has been designed to celebrate 75 years of the marque and provide a glimpse into the future of Jaguar and its commitment to producing beautiful, fast cars powered by sustainable means.
“The C-X75 is a tribute to the people who shaped the iconic Jaguars that are revered to this day. By making it an innovative test-bed for the technologies of tomorrow, it also ensures that our reputation for engineering excellence will continue for another 75 years and beyond.”
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (March 11, 2010) – Nissan today announced changes in leadership at Nissan Design America and Nissan Design Europe. Alfonso Albaisa, currently vice president, Design, Nissan Design Europe, will return to NDA as vice president.
Albaisa succeeds Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA, and Victor Nacif, vice president, Design Business Aspect, NDA.
Campbell, a 30-year veteran with Nissan, will retire from NDA and become an advisor to Nissan’s Global Design Division. Nacif will become vice president, Nissan Design Europe, succeeding Albaisa.
Volvo’s award-winning design director, Steve Mattin, has left the company. U.K.-born Mattin has been Volvo’s design director since May of 2005 and was instrumental in creating designs like the C30, XC60, and most recently, the S60 Concept from Detroit. Mattin joined the Swedish automaker after coming over from (then) DaimlerChrysler, where he was employed for 17 years. Mattin left DCX as the company’s senior design manager after having a hand in vehicles as wide-ranging as the SL, SLK, SLR, R-Class, M-Class, and the Maybach line.
The departure could signal a wave of changes at Volvo as Ford ramps up the intensity of its push to sell the brand. Despite serious talks with a number of potential buyers, however, Ford has released nothing indicating a sale is imminent. News of Mattin’s exit from Volvo comes from Sweden’s GP, which quotes Mattin, shortly after being hired on at Volvo in May 2005, as saying he would “stay [at Volvo] for the rest of my life.” That sort of talk doesn’t lend itself to an easy change in career path, especially immediately after an 18-year stint at Mercedes-Benz.
But perhaps the change-up is just another in the cycle of designer exits that has swept the industry in the past several months. Chris Bangle, BMW’s famous, or to some eyes, infamous, designer for most of the last decade, left the industry altogether. Karim Habib, also from BMW, defected to Mercedes-Benz just a few weeks ago.
Even among the purely design-focused companies there have been changes, including the switch from Pininfarina to Stile Bertone by modern legend Jason Castriota. So perhaps Mattin’s departure from Volvo is just a normal part of business in a depressed economy. But it could also be a hint at worse times to come.
Volvo’s award-winning design director, Steve Mattin, has left the company. U.K.-born Mattin has been Volvo’s design director since May of 2005 and was instrumental in creating designs like the C30, XC60, and most recently, the S60 Concept from Detroit. Mattin joined the Swedish automaker after coming over from (then) DaimlerChrysler, where he was employed for 17 years. Mattin left DCX as the company’s senior design manager after having a hand in vehicles as wide-ranging as the SL, SLK, SLR, R-Class, M-Class, and the Maybach line.
