Mazda Taiki Concept Tokyo Motorshow

Mazda continues to develop the "Fluidity" with this sexy & elegant concept named Taiki (Athmosphere in Japanese).

New Alfa 940?

Is this the sketch of next Alfa Romeo 940 project? Honestly I do not know, I found the sketch on the Progetto940.it website. The sketch is not bad, quick technique and very well done...it looks from Alfa Design Center.

Source Progetto940.it

Geneva Auto Show 2013 sketches

The Geneva Motor Show 2013 just opened and several new good looking cars and concept are present on the show stands, here I picked up some "concept sketches" just to demonstrate how good sketch work can really be translated in great 3D concept prototypes.
From top du bottom we have an interior pencil sketch by Citroen design studio for the Citroen Survolt Concept, Alfa Romeo Pandion exterior digital rendering by Bertone's design studio headed by Mike Robinson, at the end the color sketch (super well done) by Pininfarina design studio about the Alfa Romeo 2 ettottanta spider Concept.
I added the photo of this last project because we can admire the well balanced volume treatement very similar to the original sketch. This last example shows 1 thing: a good professional designer work and a good job in  translating it in a real model (good model makers).

Click on image to enlarge it.
Images by Google Image

Bluecar electric car for rent!

Bolloré and Pininfarina announced at the Geneva Auto Show 2013 the launch of their electric car renting business model: the Bluecar.

This is good news because for the first time in Europe there is a system to offer an electric car in a convincing way: the renting (330€ a month) plus a 24h assistance. Starting program beginning 2013.

To have more info or reserve your Bluecar click Bluecar by Pininfarina & Bolloré

Suzuki Shared Coach Concept, Tokyo Motorshow 07

Suzuki is prosposing to solve future city traffic problems with their next concept that will be presented at the 2013 Tokyo Motorshow.

The SCC (Shared Coach Concept) is a family vehicle that incorporates a small three wheeler to commute in town (see photo), In this way we would have a chance to go in town without soffering traffic congestion.

Even if this is not the only concept of this type (Toyota and Opel already proposed something similar..) I am curious to see the concept to understand better how it really works.

Highlights from Paris Motor Show 2013

Here some of most interesting Design proposals by Mercedes, Renault, Audi, BMW...more to come

Robocar 2057 future scenarios in Transportation Design

How is going to be the future way of transportation in the year 2057? In Los Angeles California 8 major car companies tried to answear to this topic by creating future scenarios (here in the photos: VW, Mercedes and Honda proposals) for the next International Motorshow.
For sure in 50 years there will be many and new problems to solve in order to transport people in a comfortable way; alternative and cleaner energies, a more populated planet and a always more fragile planet...is our future personal transportation device going to fly?

Harley Earl world's first car designer

I have read recently an article on Car Magazine about the myth of Harley Earl. The first innovator, visionary, the world's first car designer and inventor of modern America.

Harley Earl entered the relaunched family business in 1908 the "Earl Automobile Works" and in 1919 the Los Angeles Times noted his spectacular bodyworks at the local Autoshow. Soon actors like Tom Mix and Fatty Arbuckle became his major clients. Later on he went to work for GM creating the first Styling Departement and changing the vision and perception of World's Automobiles. He is the father of the Corvette and has been the first to force technological innovation to obtein "sexy cars shapes".

He was inspired by a lot of different sources (like planes) and soon understood that people would not buy cars just for moving, but mostly for their look. The dream of sculpting cars giving to them personality and sexy appeal became very popular and Earl was capable to influence advertising, too. The consumistic american society started to express itself thanks also to new GM Earl Design, he understood the importance of Women taste.

In 1934 he renamed his Departement inventing a new word "Styling". So the Art & Color studio became the Styling Departement and for the first time a real car design team was established with a main objectif: invent "dream cars".
I believe that all car designers should know Earl's story to better understand their role in society, to understand that without "emotions" it is hard to make good Design, if we do not provoke "the magic effect" we do not help this world to be a bit happier.
Photos and info Via: www.carmagazine.co.uk september 2013 issue

Fiat 500 wins EuroCarBody 2013 award

The new Fiat 500 has won the EuroCarBody 2013 award, the world's most prestigious prize for car bodies, organized by by Automotive Circle International and held in Frankfurt on 16-18 October.

Read the full story, click "read more"...
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