China-Backed #LucidMotors Unveils 2018 Air Luxury Sedan [Auto Styling News]

Chinese-backed American car brand Lucid Motors has unveiled a car that will sell for over $100,000 and will put Tesla on notice by offering better range and a more powerful battery than Elon Musk's vehicle line-up. Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company is headed by Chief Technology Officer Peter Rawlinson, who is the former Tesla Model S chief engineer.

The Lucid Air, scheduled to go into production in 2017 and hit showrooms in late 2018, will put out 1,000 horsepower and have a range of 400 miles, claims the company. It will come out of a new Casa Grande Arizona assembly plant with about a 100 kWh battery, but an optional battery back of 130 kWh will give it that 400+ mile range. The company has a deal with Samsung SDI to supply its batteries.

That range, along with the stunning shape and gorgeous interior of the teaser/concept model unveiled on Dec 14, will make it not only a competitor with Tesla, but also the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class line of cars.

From the side, the large wheelbase tends to set it apart from other luxury cars, though the shape can be compared somewhat to the Porsche Panamera in the rear, and the side's radical indention at the lower doors is similar to the Jaguar F-Pace.

But it's perhaps being too critical to see hints of other designs here, especially since, unlike many early models from Korean or Japanese auto companies, there's nothing that's obviously derivative in the Air. It does quite different in almost every way from all other cars on the road. It's lower, for starters (which is likely necessary to achieve amazing drag coefficients) and it's wheels are huge (seemingly 20" rims.) The roof is a solid pane of glass, which, again, is standard on luxury vehicles and sport- and mini-Utes alike these days, but this is rather elegant here nonetheless.

The headlamps are thin LEDs and are extremely attractive. The rear is quite handsome, with a solid bar across the entire back end, with "LUCID" clearly delineated in the center. That name placement is important for name recognition, and it's telling that they didn't make the mistake (IMO) that Jaguar made when they failed to place their name on the earlier versions of their most recent line-up, which barely looked like Jags.

The joy of a new car company is that there's no "heritage" to look up to, or to deter it from going in radical new directions, but also there's nothing on which to build. Lucid is going to have to start from scratch - not only in design, but also by building a new assembly plant and hiring and training new employees. It's a huge commitment, and we'll see if they're up to the task. Other electric car start-ups like Fisker Automotive have found 

Interestingly, the Chinese company backing Lucid, LeEco, is also behind two other electric car ventures: its own LeSee, which we've profiled here, and the Faraday Future.

Photos: Lucid Motors.

#Jaguar I-PACE Concept Set For Production In 2018 [Auto Styling News]

Jaguar has been known for over 80 years as a maker of sports cars, but they're hoping that with the introduction of the 2018 I-PACE, they will be taking a big, bold step into the future as an electric vehicle manufacturer.

The I-PACE Concept is a technologically advanced, five-seater sports car. And it's actually slated for production for the 2018 model year. It’s as daringly designed and innovative as the cars that put Jaguar on the map, with technology that enhances our customers’ lives. It sets a template for others to follow, just as we have always done.

Transportation will change more in the next decade than it has in the past 50 years, and the I-PACE proves that they're ready.

Based on the same architecture as the new F-Pace premium SUV, incorporates new technology to create an electric performance package that, according to Jaguar, accelerates to 60 mph in just 4 seconds with the power of a 90-kWh battery that has an estimated range of 220 miles (EPAe) before recharging, which can be done at public charging stations in less than two hours, claims the company.

Yes, it's a performance car, a family car and an all-wheel-drive SUV all in one. Its "groundbreaking design, true Jaguar performance and competitive range and charging times will make it the first real electric alternative to a traditional premium SUV," crows Jag.

The design of the sheet metal is just as stunning as the design of the electric motors. The vehicle occupies less road space than conventional mid-size SUVs yet offers more room for passengers and luggage than models in the segment above. And optimized aerodynamics deliver a low drag coefficient of just 0.29 and inspired new design features that embody the vehicle’s power and performance.

The exterior in some ways is similar to other SUVs, but in others, a radical departure. Like the "hard edge" direction of Cadillac and of recent Lexus models, there are a lot of angles to take in at first glance.

But the effect isn't jarring, but is rather stirring. The large front fender haunches, the flat rear and he lower door creases all have a unifying effect, despite their novelty. The large intake chutes and cats-eye headlamps could be from any luxury car, but the now-familiar Jaguar corporate grille assures us that this is, indeed, a Jag. The shortened hood itself is stunning, as well, and that, along with the stubby rear-end, give it a smart and aggressive look.

More branding occurs in the rear, with a leaping Jaguar and Jag-style lamps that assure us what brand this really is. But some may see the rear as too generic, resembling a Japanese car if one squints.

That said, it's hard to view this car from almost any angle and not see that it will be a success, even apart from the revolutionary tech that runs it, which will also give the Tesla cars runs for their money. And if this thing is even close to being reasonably priced, it could be a smash hit.

[Photos: Jaguar.com]

#Rinspeed To Show "Oasis" #Concept In Vegas in January [Auto Styling News]

Innovative Swiss car company Rinspeed - known for its often bizarre but creative concept cars - is set to unleash a "rolling oasis of ideas" in the automotive desert of Las Vegas in January, 2017.

With his new "Oasis" concept vehicle, Swiss car visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht has created a memorable character in the history of personal transportation, built for the European urban market.

The Oasis is a clear alternative concept to the martial appearance on urban asphalt, claims Rinspeed. The two-seat runabout is intended to look "futuristic," featuring large glazed areas and front wheel spats. The company suggests R2D2 as a sibling. We'll let you decide.

The large, rakish windshield and see-through doors certainly are unmistakably different from anything now on the road. It features huge plastic wrap-around bumpers on the rear and front end, and the roof features solar panels.

Inside, one is meant to think "living room," with an armchair, sideboard, TV and multi-function steering wheel. Apparently, this is an autonomous drive vehicle as well, since the windshield transforms into a screen for virtual as well as augmented reality.

It's almost impossible to judge whether this will ever see European roads. No other Rinspeed cars have, though it's understood that all previous ones have been meant to be avatars and trend-setters in design and function, rather than production-ready or even potential roadworthy vehicles.

And yet, with tweaks, and with rapidly advancing autonomous driving tech, it's plausible that something like this - at least the shell of this concept - could be taken up by a major company and seen on the road in the early 2020s.

#BMW Debuts X2 #Concept At Paris Motor Show [Auto Styling News]

The BMW Group chose the Paris Motor Show 2016 to present the BMW Concept X2. This new addition to the compact segment has a distinctive design that stands apart from that of the other X models and also draws on the BMW Group’s history of coupe-making. The result is a compact concept exuding urban sporting appeal.

“The BMW Concept X2 is a vehicle for active people looking for a combination of enjoyment and practicality,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The concept displays a new and exciting facet of the BMW brand within the compact segment.”

The design, says BMW, is, "a successful blend of dynamic appeal and solidity." It certainly appears dynamic and solid. The overall low-slung proportions, small greenhouse, long hood, and slick back end make for a modern, fresh look, from all directions.

It definitely looks like the sporty coupe-like vehicle BMW was going for. The large wheels, long wheelbase and forward slanting C-pillar help.


The upper section of the car's flanks is dominated by sporty design elements. The elongated roofline and slim window graphic create a stretched feel. The greenhouse tapers towards the rear, forming an athletic shoulder.

The window graphic surrounds and integrated two-piece mirror bases (both made from brushed aluminum) add an extra touch of class. The thickness of the aluminum profile plays a contrasting role here. The window graphic is rounded off by a dynamic interpretation of the hallmark BMW Hofmeister kink. Like the logo on the C-pillar – a classically sporty coupe design cue straight out of the BMW history books – this represents a singularly unmistakable detail. The large, air-channeling roof spoiler in body color lies flat over the blackened rear window. Extending from the C-pillars, it gives the rear of the BMW Concept X2 its sporty contours.

Lower down the sides of the car, customary X-model features hog the limelight. Muscular surfaces, large wheel arches and stylistic underfloor protection around the door sills form an intriguing contrast with the dynamic elements further up.

Focusing for a moment on more detailed features, the surfaces of the car’s flanks bring together large, smoothly modeled sections with precise edges, showcasing the car’s athletic presence. The dramatic surfacing also emphasizes the almost squared-off wheel arches familiar from the car’s BMW X stablemates. In them sit large, 21-inch light-alloy wheels, whose striking, double-spoke, bi-color design with a strong sense of three-dimensionality continues the contrast between dynamic appeal and solidity into the car’s details. Tyres with chunky treads point to the potential for fun off the beaten track, while door sills in body colour with integral hexagonal elements set the seal on the robust appearance of the car’s sides at their lowest point.

The front-end design of the BMW Concept X2 also fuses dynamic elements with a robust use of forms. Clearly contoured volumes and subtle edges create a front-end impression with presence and sporting appeal in abundance.

The heavily raked windshield appears to extend seamlessly into the dark panoramic roof and teams up with the newly interpreted double kidney grille and large air intakes to give the front end a slow-slung look. The hood and front end look enormous, though that could be because of the windshield's curvature, but regardless, the car will have incredible presence when seen coming at you down the road.

The kidneys turn the familiar trapezoidal shape of BMW grilles on its head and instead widen from top to bottom. This clear statement accentuates the unique nature of the BMW Concept X2, as well as the width of the front and the car’s solid stance. Graphically modeled and heavily angled bars within the kidney grille create an undeniable “shark nose” effect, bringing additional depth and sculptural richness to this area of the car. One hopes this all makes it to production, because they're undeniably attractive.

The flat contours of the headlight tubes help to give the classical BMW twin circular look a more hexagonal form. The laser light technology used by the headlights enables very slim light graphics, while the blue X in the center of the hexagonal tubes adds a further technical accent.

The front of this sleek beast is dominated by the large central air intake below the traditional - but extremely large - kidney grille, which is functional, since it helps to quench the Concept X2's thirst for cooling air. The smaller, triangular air intakes on either side highlight the car’s broad stance. The robust, horizontal slats of the air intakes provide a solid counterpoint to the dynamic design of the front and add further detailed emphasis of the front-end’s traditional X-model character.

The rear of the BMW Concept X2 rounds off the exterior design in distinctive style. Width-accentuating elements such as the slim rear window and horizontal lines reduce the perceived height of the BMW Concept X2 and underscore its sporting pretensions. From this angle you can also see how the rear window emerges elegantly from below the air-channeling spoiler and underlines the car’s sporting character. The prominent tapering of the glasshouse along the sides of the Concept X2 also catches the eye, forming a powerful shoulder area, allowing it to highlight the car’s broad, muscular stance.

Let's hope this design - or most of it - makes it to market. This looks like a nearly complete design study, so it's likely a 2019 design at the latest.

#VW Teases "Revolutionary" Electric Vehicle By 2020 [Auto Styling News]

At next month's Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen - seeking to turn the page on its scandalous gaming of emissions standards - will urge us to "Think New." And the concept car it recently teased ahead of the show is actually something pretty good, if may live up to the hype, if it makes it off the drawing board.

Volkswagen says the concept electric vehicle it will launch by 2020 will be based on it's "modular electric toolkit" (MEB in German) the basis of battery-electric vehicles with ranges of  249 to 373 miles. Several vehicles up and down the product line will apparently benefit from this new technology, including a beefed up electric car with greater range before 2020 (the current one gets a mere 83 miles out of a full charge.) By 2025, VW hopes to be selling between 2 million and 3 million electric vehicles every year.

This one-of-a-kind concept car, says VW, signals the brand’s entry into a new era, as revolutionary, it claims, "as the Beetle was seven decades ago, before it evolved into the world’s best-selling car of the last century." This car, too, they claim, "has the potential to make history with its completely new vehicle concept."

All well and good. The car, which we have only seen teased in the photos here, sure looks nice. The headlamps and tail lamps alone look revolutionary. And even if it had a regular gasoline engine in it, it looks like a winner (assuming, of course, consumers forgive them by 2020 for lying about earlier models' emissions!) But a note of caution here: VW, not unlike GM, Toyota and many other brands, have a history of teasing big changes and gorgeous concepts, only to have bean-counters ratchet down the beauty in the production phase.

One hopes they not only ARE able to deliver on these astounding range figures, but that the vehicles continue to evolve into something beautiful, like these indicate they will most certainly will be.

#Mercedes Stuns With Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Concept [Auto Styling News]

Every August classic car fans from around the world converge on Pebble Beach in California for a very special beauty contest. This gathering of magnificent classic cars was the perfect place to premiere the exclusive Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, a sensational luxury-class coupe.

The 2+2-seater, billed as a 2018 model year vehicle by Mercedes, pays homage to the glorious age of the aero coupes and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future with its design. The coupe reinterprets classic, emotional design principles in an extreme way, following the Mercedes design philosophy of "sensual purity."

The Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, which measures over 18.5-feet  in length, is designed as an electric car. The drive system has an output of 738 SAE hp. The shallow underfloor battery allows a range of over 200 miles.

With its sensual, emotional design ("hot") and intelligent details ("cool"), the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 represents the ultimate in luxury. The classic aesthetic proportions of the show car - an extremely long hood, low roof line and rearward positioning of the greenhouse - recall the aero coupes of the 1930s and 40s. But this is not retro design - this is a reinterpretation of classic, aesthetic principles.

It's amazingly rakish rear is unlike anything on the market today. This beast looks FAST even when standing still. It makes the heart pound, and excites the senses. All that a concept car should do, and all that a Mercedes, and a Maybach, MUST do.

Even without aids such as spoilers, the airflow hugs the contours of the vehicle body and breaks away very late at the tail end of the vehicle. Then there is the surprisingly sleek character of the narrow lights, partially transparent rims and split rear window.

The front features a daring grille - which of course it must have. But the hood's amazing length is the signature look of the car, even when a less daring design would be absolutely defined by that grille, which is truly massive.

Now, let's come down from the sugar high for a moment. It's almost 100% guaranteed that this concept car is a design study, rather than a production car slated for 2018. but if it comes anywhere near this concept's radical lines after the bean counters take charge of it, Mercedes is going to have a major hit on its hands, if it goes forward with something like this design.

Mercedes has done itself a wonderful favor putting the Maybach name into the Mercedes line-up.
Both young children and young professionals in their 20s who may never own one will still dream of them and will be making them their screensavers for the next decade.

#AstonMartin Reveals Hot Vanquish Zagato #Concept [Auto Styling News]

Aston Martin brought a real head-turner to this year's Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach this year, the latest concept Vanquish Zagato, which debuted at the Villa d'Este show on Lake Como in Italy this past spring.

The Vanquish Zagato is the fifth car to emerge from a collaboration that stretches back over five decades, pairing Aston Martin's acclaimed dynamic and material qualities with Zagato's signature design language. As well as spectacular sporting ability, Vanquish Zagato showcases the very best of Aston Martin’s bespoke luxury.

The collaboration with Zagato began with the beautifully muscular DB4 GT Zagato racing car of 1960 – now valued at over £10 million -, and includes the V8 Vantage Zagato launched in 1986, the 2002 DB7 Vantage Zagato and the V12 Vantage Zagato revealed in 2011.


The design of the production Vanquish Zagato will be closely related to the concept. With proportions that remain quintessentially Aston Martin. The new bodywork is entirely shaped from carbon-fiber, with the split lines on the body significantly reduced by the use of large one-piece panels.

The beautifully wrought hood looks very muscular indeed, as if it's going to leap forward while sitting still. The grille is larger than on current models, making it an extremely aggressive and drop-dead gorgeous. The lamps and fog lamps are equally sweet, and add to the overall handsomeness of the concept.

Other design elements include devastatingly beautiful round tail light reflectors that are meant to evoke the classic Zagato, using the same 'bladed' LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan, while the wing mirrors are closely related to the units developed for the One-77.

The Vanquish Zagato's sculptural rear end resembles the DB11's aerodynamic profile, complete with retractable spoiler and rear hatch for easy access to the luggage compartment. Rippling carbon fiber sills run around the lower body to create a pronounced line from front to rear, with a quad-exhaust nestling within the curvaceous shapes.

The Vanquish Zagato’s glasshouse wraps around the bodywork like a visor, enhancing its aggressive stance. The classic strake is larger, running from the wheel arch all the way to the door, like the new DB11. A sharp crease on the rear wheel arch transforms into the rear flanks, where it meets the cascading roofline.

The roof has a gorgeous "double bubble," continuing into the rear window glass, like few other cars has ever accomplished, but has been a staple in Zagatos going back to the 1950s as a way to make room for racing helmets, so this is clearly an homage, which may or may not make it into production, if this car actually does. (The Peugeot RCZ, which IS a production vehicle, has an equally gorgeous, and perhaps even more pronounced "bubble" on its roof and rear window. Sadly, we don't ever  get to see Peugeots in the US, so Google it.)

In short, Aston should definitely build this. It's a testament to this concept that all of these elements not only look beautiful together and work together seamlessly to bring about a true work of art (as all Astons are, but here, even more so.) But also, they separately would be assets on ANY luxury vehicle - and are actually improvements over many in its class. They would dramatically elevate any vehicle of a lesser class.

Photos: Courtesy Aston Martin

#Buick Avista Concept Named N. American Concept Of The Year [Auto Styling News]

The Buick Avista has been awarded the 2016 Concept Car of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year at the 2016 North American Concept Vehicle Awards at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Michigan.

The awards recognize the vehicle that makes the strongest impact in terms of automotive design, engineering and market responsiveness. According to Buick, the Avista is both an indicator of Buick’s future design direction and a celebration of its design heritage.

"The design process of the Avista brought the team together to unite around a future direction for the brand and the great teamwork and enthusiasm it generated," said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director, Buick Global Design. "While looking to the future, we also wanted to honor the rich heritage of Buick by integrating timeless design cues in this beautifully progressive concept vehicle."

Judges praised the Avista’s futuristic interior and intuitive design, and Detroit Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan said the vehicle "cements Buick's surprising status as one of the auto industry's most intriguing brands."

The aggressive stance of the Avista is immediately apparent. The wide grille features Chrysler-like wings and Mercedes-like mesh background that are no doubt titanium (at least on the concept) and the boomerang headlamps are striking. Buick says both the grille and headlamps forecast future design elements.

© General Motors

It will be great if the low stance and small greenhouse remain in the final model (if indeed this goes to production) because it's incredibly sporty.

In this coupe style, especially in the rear pillar window, rear pillar, and the entire rear of the car, one can squint and see the Honda civic, but that styling seems more elegantly wrought here. The rear lamps are large and luxurious, as must be said of the deep, rich "Dark Sapphire Jewel" color on this concept.

The exterior boasts titanium and carbon-fiber accents that make for optimal durability. The sleek design reinforces the balance of beauty and precision during the driving experience.

Following its introduction at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the Avista also received the EyesOn Design Excellence Award and was named “Best Future Concept” by Detroit News readers. It should be noted that the concept was wildly popular when released earlier this year. A good sign that GM may be motivated to bring something like this to market in the coming years.

#VW Teams Up With LG To Create "Connected" Cars [Auto Styling News]

Today's marriages of tech companies and car companies continues, and is likely to give birth to amazing technological advances in the next decade.

The Volkswagen Group and LG Electronics are the latest to team up. Earlier this month in Wolfsburg, Germany, both signed a memorandum of understanding on the joint research and development of a next-generation connected car service platform.

The two companies have pledged to work together on Volkswagen's Cross-Over-Platform, which is aimed at enhanced vehicle connectivity and convenience. Using the latest in cloud technology, it will offer drivers seamless digital access to extensive features such as smart home and location-based services.

Vehicles like the VW zero-emission BUDD-e electric van concept (at left) imagined as a 2019 vehicle, will likely benefit from this alliance.

Another beneficiary will be concepts like the GEA, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015. It was already a collaboration between LG Electronics and VW, having seven key components supplied by LG, including the holographic display, connected smart watch, tail lights and rear camera. In July, LG was selected as Volkswagen's strategic electronics supplier and also listed as a partner company on its FAST (Future Automotive Supply Tracks) program. At CES earlier this year, the two companies attracted great attention showcasing a smart home system that could be controlled remotely from the vehicle.

Over the coming years, the two companies say they will be concentrating on:
• Developing technologies that bring together the connected car and the smart home
   so that drivers are able to control and monitor smart devices in their homes —
   such as lights, security systems and domestic appliances — from out on the road.
• Developing a context-sensitive notification center that can deliver messages in an
   intuitive and safe manner and provide optimized recommendations to the driver in
   real time.
• Developing next-generation infotainment technology for connected cars.

LG was one of the first electronics companies to commit itself to the automotive industry. It has been supplying audio-visual products for vehicles since 2007, establishing a reputation for reliability and technological innovation.

#BMW Collab. Promises Driverless Cars By 2021 [Auto Styling News]

BMW, Intel, and Mobileye are teaming up to make self-driving autonomous vehicles a reality by 2021. The collaboration could be a very positive sign that even driverless cars could be headed to our driveways within a decade.

Announced at a July 1 press conference in Munich, Germany, leaders from the three companies - leaders in the automotive, technology and computer vision and machine learning industries - announced their collaboration.

BMW believes the path to get to a fully autonomous world is complex and will require end-to-end solutions that integrate intelligence across the network, from door locks to the data center. Transportation providers of the future, they said, must harness rapidly evolving technologies, collaborate with totally new partners, and prepare for disruptive opportunities.

The BMW iNEXT model will be the foundation for BMW Group’s autonomous driving strategy and set the basis for fleets of fully autonomous vehicles.

The goal of the collaboration is to develop future-proofed solutions that enable the drivers to not only take their hands off the steering wheel, but reach the so called “eyes off” (level 3) and ultimately the "mind off" (level 4) level transforming the driver’s in-car time into leisure or work time. This level of autonomy would enable the vehicle, on a technical level, to achieve the final stage of traveling "driver off" (level 5) without a human driver inside.

BMW believes this technology lays the foundation for entirely new business models in a connected, mobile world. If it comes about, this could clearly revolutionize the way we view vehicles, and could disrupt driving as much as Uber and Lyft have disrupted the taxi industry, or cellular disrupted the old "tethered" telephones our parents grew up with in the 20th Century.

Dangers for the project are not more clearly highlighted by the first fatal accident involving a self-driving Tesla S in May, which raised serious questions about the viability of the autopilot technology at this stage. Mobileye supplied some of the tech behind Tesla's automated driving car. It was founded in 1999 and was a pioneer in developing advanced collision avoidance systems.

BMW is wise to reach out to tech leaders to collaborate in this way. Hopefully the technology really will be ready to deliver what's being advertised by 2021.

Russian "City Car" Concept Breaks New Ground [Auto Styling News]

A Russian car designer has an utterly unique take on the "city car" phenomenon popular throughout Europe that may become influential in the design of future cars.

Alexander Malyshev, the designer of the Mirrow Provocator, calls his on-paper-only design a "revolutionary car," and he may be right.

The same length as the Smart Fortwo, this car is designed to hold 4 people - but also with their luggage along the center aisle.

The car is about the width of a normal SUV, and as tall as a minivan, but far shorter. Think: a mini minivan. Malyshev believes the vehicle would be a great cab, especially with two extra seats in a "stretch" version. He says the car body would be composed of more than 50% recycled polymers, available in three different colors, although the base models will come without windows or extra panels.

Entry into the vehicle is one of the unique features of this micro-van. It's from a single rear door that looks like a gate. The two side doors, and two tiny rear doors, all of which are high off the ground, are for "emergency evacuations" only. The design helps give rigidity to the vehicle, which would be very important in case of an accident.

Seats in this tiny wonder are designed using aircraft principles, with seats located on both sides of an aisle, which, combined with a high ceiling, allow adults to enter easily. Luggage would stowed along the aisle, but the designer notes, all four passengers would be able to have luggage - which is, admittedly, pretty amazing for a car this size.

Engines for the Mirrow Provocator is envisioned as a turbocharged three-cylinder gas or diesel of up to 1.5 liters, which can provide acceleration from zero to 60 in less than 8.7 seconds.

Sorry, time travelers, but this car would be limited to 86 miles per hour.

Tech includes anti-lock brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, up to 12 airbags, parking system and rear-view camera, hill brake control and hill-start assist system. A protection system will prevent occupants from accidentally opening the evacuation doors.

Hybrid and electric version of the car are possible because of the large area below the seats.

Material features of the car body, its ease of fabrication and use of low-cost polymers should allow the retail price of the basic version of the Mirrow Provocator to run around $4000-5000.

The Mirrow Provocator, of course, would be tailor made for European roads. The "city car" has never been popular in the US, with the failure of the Smart car line on which its based being ample evidence.

Malyshev says Mirrowcars has no plans to produce this or any other car at this point, and he hopes others may eventually cooperate in building it. But one can't help but root for innovators, since their successes - and even their failures - will help push the boundaries of car design by their efforts.

Italians Produce A Worthy Upscale #Mini Off-Roader [Auto Styling News]

Mini of Italy has revealed an awesome new concept version of the Clubman called the ALL4 Scrambler, based on the BMW R NineT Scrambler motorcycle.

The Scrambler All4 Mini Clubman, based on the Clubman, features a raised ride height, massive, bad-ass five-spoke alloys paired with off-road tires, and two circular headlights borrowed from a BMW Scrambler bike that is meant to evoke the look of this classic bike, which won a reputation as a Monte Carlo rally winner in the 1960s. The front grille also features large lower fog lights.

Also clear changes to the stock Clubman is a huge rooftop luggage rack featuring wooden bars. The unique "frozen grey" paint is also meant to hearken back to the Scrambler bike.

Worth mentioning is that Mini is a BMW-affiliated/owned company, and the inside of this concept reflects a bit of that luxury. It's spiffy and upscale, with two-toned seats with Nappa leather and Alcantara (suede-like) upholstery.

While the concept, which debuted at the Valentino Park Motor Show in Turin, may not be slated for production, it would be a worth addition to the large and growing line-up of Mini vehicles.

Why #Bentley Passed On Building A Real Winner [Auto Styling News]

The latest and most stunning design concept from Bentley is the EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept, revealed way back in 2015's Geneva motor show. The question must be asked: why hasn't it been built? (There's actually an answer. Read on.)

The Speed Six name recalls the gorgeous sporting Bentley of the late 1920s. And its design also evokes earlier eras.

As one would expect, it's a top of the line luxury sports car. The two-seater may indeed give a strong indication that the company is thinking about a lighter, sportier Bentley to sit alongside the Continental GT grand tourer family. "A bold vision for a brand with a bold future" said CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer, as the car was revealed.

The massive grille, the teardrop headlamps, the wide hood, aggressive rear haunches, heightened by the large tires, are all heart-pounding, pupil dilating features that guarantee the ride will be life-changing. Clearly, this is lightning in a bottle. And anything other than "conventional" or boring, two words easily, and traditionally, given to British luxury cars.

So, where is it? What could delay such a sure thing? Fear. And timidity. And convention.

Instead of pursuing this monster, the company went for a safer track - an SUV. A vehicle no one wanted, no one asked for, but seemed safer. And at easily north of $230,000 a pop, that's a hefty premium for what some might call "just another SUV." While it certainly will have its fans, it honestly looks like just another family mobile, like so many others, and like every other brand has succumbed to over the past decade.

The good news is that the all-new 2016 Continental has incorporated SOME of the looks and flair of the 6, especially those amazing rear shoulders.

But frankly, Bentley should have taken the risk with the 6 - a risk that would have paid off in far more prestige for the brand, and one that could have helped it attract more fans for doing more than "playing it safe."

#Volvo 40 Series Concepts Show Radical New Direction [Auto Styling News]

Volvo has unveiled two new concept cars that move the brand in an audacious new direction and mark the official launch of its global small car strategy. The Swedish company is currently implementing an ambitious revitalization plan that it hopes will re-position the brand to compete with its global premium competitors within the next four years.

The new 40 series concepts demonstrate for the first time how Volvo plans to expand into the large and lucrative global market for premium small cars with a range of vehicles that have a bold exterior design.

If you haven't heard of the V40, you are, like me, an American. Sadly, this awesome 5-door hatch, which has been produced for Europeans since 2012, hasn't made it across the pond. Which is too bad, because even the current version looks very nice, and probably would have been great sellers here in the "luxury entry" category.

But the new 40s, dubbed 40.1 and 40.2, which are due to hit roads around the world in 2017, are gorgeous.

Volvo 40.1 concept, rear side view

The 40.1, shown at right, is the SUV-like model, with a distinctive, and quite attractive, rear panel treatment that cuts across the rear doors and offers a micro-side panel window that is unique - though the blind spot it creates is enormous. The "L-shaped" Volvo tail lamps are similar to current models and adds great visual interest, though also highlighting the huge rear panel. Overall, the rear reminds one of the Porsche Cayanne, if you squint.

The indenture on the lower doors adds visual interest, and it is necessary, since without it, the side view would be almost Hyundai-like (and circa 2005, not today's racy models.) The front lamps on this and the 40.2 are stunning, with a sideways "T" bringing a style that has been evolving into something beautiful on recent Volvos.

Volvo 40.2 concept, rear three-quarter view

The 40.2 concept is something else altogether; far more car-like and conventional, but hardly anyone would use that "C" word to describe it.

There's a definite early-80s "Audi Quattro" feeling to the 40.2, and maybe that's not by accident. This is especially visible in the rear quarter, with a more subtle uptick creating a smaller rear panel than the 40.1, but enough to show that it is meant to represent a family resemblance. The headlamps and front grille also strongly resembles its 40.1 brother.

The side view is very butch, and despite being a small-ish car, the wheelbase looks enormous. The small windows and low roof are extremely handsome, and the "cut" in the lower doors are far more pronounced than in the 40.2, and flare off radically into the rear wheels (seen clearly in the three-quarter view, at left)

The rear is almost Mustang-like - and that's meant as a deep compliment. The two-pronged tail lamps (if there is enough showing from the rear for them to be effective in traffic) point to the Volvo lettering that could say  "Mustang." The large panorama roof is also an amazing feature.

Volvo says both new concept cars will be the first to be built around its new Compact Modular Architecture, which has been specially created for smaller cars and which has liberated the company’s designers and engineers to explore bold and daring new directions.

This global small car range will include a pure battery electric vehicle as well as Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain variants.

Of course, perhaps we shouldn't get our hopes up just yet about ANY version of these cars hitting our shores. But they would be foolish not to bring them. Pricing has not been released but the 40.1 car and 40.2 mini-Ute would be great entry-level cars for the brand if they're in the lower $20k range.

New #Jaguar F-PACE Keeps Pace With Costlier Rivals [Auto Styling News]

Jaguar enters the Mini-Luxury SUV category with the F-PACE in June, and it's pretty stunning.  The F-PACE, visually inspired by the Jaguar F-TYPE, is billed by the British automaker as a performance SUV with the DNA of a sports car. And it sure looks the part.

The proportions of the F-PACE support a low drag coefficient of 0.37. Completing its assertive stance, the ‘teardrop’ shape is emphasized by a very pleasing roofline. Optional LED headlamps feature Jaguar J-Blade LED daytime running lights that look appropriately aggressive.

Its grille is also borrowed from the F-TYPE, which is either hit or miss, depending on whether you think it steals from Volvo too much. (And I tend to think it does.)

Buyers will get an extensive choice of lightweight, aerodynamically efficient alloy wheels, as large as 22” in diameter.

The vehicle will be offered in base, "Premium" and "Prestige" lines, running from about $41,000 to $49,000, competitive with BMW X4 (which it more than resembles) as well as the Porsche Cayenne and the new Maserati Levante.

The F-PACE, like the new XE (which tends to borrow the look of a Lexus and other luxury brands he way that earlier KIAs stole from automakers, including Jaguar) had better be gold for the brand, because with under 15,000 units sold annually, they need a winner - and fast!

The good news? With great looks and reasonable pricing, the F-PACE seems on pace to be a winner for Jaguar.

Wooden #Setsuna Concept Car Is a Work of Art [Auto Styling News]

Toyota's Setsuna concept is made of wood. It's therefore a ridiculous concept, right? Well...

The Setsuna defies the notion that cars should only be seen as industrial products loaded with the latest technologies. 

Toyota says this unique wooden roadster was conceived to embody the affection owners grow to feel for their cars, and to show how cars continue to change and offer new value as they are taken care of with love over time.

Traditional Japanese techniques such as okuriari and kusabi were used so that the wood could be joined without nails or screws. Okuriari, which allows the exterior panels to be fitted and taken off without using any nails, not only increases the strength of joints but also makes it possible to make partial changes to dovetailing and mortise joints if the fastenings have worn down. 

This means it's possible to continue using the car without additional processing of the main body. In joints of the frame, split tenons are fastened to through tenons that have been pushed through several parts to hold the frame together. 

The Setsuna's body is composed of 86 handmade panels. Considerable thought was given to the design and creation of each panel from the outset, and each of these panels will develop and change differently as the car ages. Eventually, when repairs become necessary, individual panels can be replaced rather than needing to replace the entire body.

Small details, like the beautifully crafted wooden mirrors, really make this a work of art as much as a design study. The lacquer finish used on parts of the vehicle has been carefully applied by hand. To bring out the grain of the wood, wipe-lacquering has been used for the door mirrors, seats, steering wheel, and body banding lines. 

Rather than normal lacquer, which is applied in layers, this method involves repeatedly applying lacquer to the surface and wiping it to set the lacquer along the grain of the wood, creating a combined texture from the wood grain and the lacquer. The intensity and color will change with use over time, becoming even more beautiful and evoking a completely unique impression at different moments spread out in time.

Chinese LeSEE #Concept Car Hopes To Take On #Tesla [Auto Styling News]

Chinese entertainment and consumer technology company LeEco has unveiled its own self-driven electric car.

The futuristic-looking sedan called LeSEE was unveiled at a launch event in Beijing staged by LeEco. The current prototype model has a theoretical top speed of 130 miles an hour, said Ding Lei, head of LeEco’s automobile division, called the Super Electric Ecosystem unit.

The exterior design of the vehicle is indeed impressive. While somewhat Tesla-like it its rear haunches, nothing else resembles it, or in fact, anything, currently on the road. the large LED bar on the front apparently has functional headlights in there (or around it) somewhere, and the overall appearance is muscular and curvaceous.

In what Ding calls the "most beautiful" angle - from above and rear, shown below - one can see the full-glass roof which reaches from the hood to the trunk area. 

The launch featured a colorful mix of tech and entertainment, starting off with a performance by a popular Chinese singer and a demonstration of the tech company's virtual  reality headset device. Ding then delighted the crowd by using his cell phone to order the prototype to move on stage and park itself.

LeSEE was developed in 28 months, during which LeEco forged partnerships internationally to speed up the process.

Without providing technical specifications, Ding said the car will surpass the Model S from leading electric car maker Tesla in "all aspects of performance." That, of course, remains to be seen. But clearly this will, if it is built, be a challenger in the massive Chinese market.

#Toyota uBox Concept, Designed By, And For, #GenZ [Auto Styling News]

Toyota, in collaboration with graduate students at Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research, have released what they think "Generation Z" will be driving in 10 years.

The "uBox concept" is a result of a two-year collaboration with Toyota Motor North America designers and engineers called "Deep Orange," and probably gives Toyota much needed feedback on what college-age future buyers have in mind when they enter the workforce and need transportation.

Most of Toyota’s North American vehicles are engineered in Southeast Michigan. The newest concept to wear the automaker’s famous badge, however, has its roots firmly planted in the red clay of South Carolina.

The program immerses students into every aspect of automotive development – from market research and design studies to engineering design and manufacturing.

"It's like automotive boot camp for the real world, and it wouldn’t happen without industry partners like Toyota," says Johnell Brooks, an associate professor in Clemson's graduate engineering program.

The typical customer for uBox is a young entrepreneur who wants a vehicle that can provide utility and recreation on the weekend but that can also offer office space or other career-centric or lifestyle uses during the week.

Close up of the front "buttresses" on the uBox concept.

The bold,  distinctive exterior design is meant to align with generation Z's personality trait to stand out, embodying a muscular stance that looks like it's sprung forward in motion, even when standing still. The rear side panel actually reminds one of the KIA Sportage, which is a good look.

The two "buttresses" on the front are like nothing seen on any car, and these alone set this vehicle apart, visually. Toyota officials say they were suitably impressed when students developed a unique pultrusion technique developed by the students that allows for these composite carbon fiber rails to be bonded with aluminum to support a curved glass roof.

They'd seem to cause an obstruction for the driver but, man, they do look bold, that's for sure. Of course if this is built as a self-driving car - and perhaps it should be - never mind that objection.

A versatile interior that can be rearranged for various activities, from working or operating a business, to hauling bulky cargo. A low floor allows for reconfigurable, removable seats on sliding tracks that can be nested. (How removable seats would make it through the rigorous safety protocols of an actual car company is unknown. But that hasn't stopped MANY concepts from imagining this before.)

Vents, dashboard display bezels and door trim that can be personalized and made with 3-D printing technology, and an online community is envisioned, where owners can share design ideas - and that is an extremely plausible scenario, given this interconnected generation's ease with social media.

The thing is powered by a compact, dual-purpose, all-electric powertrain and emission-free stationary energy to power consumer electronics, power tools or other devices through various 110-volt sockets located throughout the interior and exterior.

Meet the 2020 Apple iMaybe - Car & Driver's speculative mini-ute [Auto Styling News]

"Google the word 'Apple' and a link to the fruit we've consumed for thousands of years doesn't appear until page four." - that's Car and Driver magazine in its May, 2016 issue, preparing to describe it's speculative (and completely fictional, for now) 2020 Apple iMaybe mini-Ute.

The completely automated vehicle, which the magazine speculates would be built by BMW, would be heavily connected to the internet, via your iPhone 12, of course.

While it may take Apple some getting used to collaborating with another company (something C&D correctly notes it's never done before) the draw of the Apple name may not only be golden to consumers' ears, but also be like a steel girder to the magnet of their wallets.

The magazine again speculates that the cost of this mini-Ute could be north of $30,000, and wouldn't make an appearance until the 2020 model year.

(Photo is from the May 2016 issue of Car & Driver. Good luck finding an image online!)

4th-Gen #Lincoln Navigator Concept Goes Big, Sprouts X-Wings [Auto Styling News]

This March, Lincoln Motor Company released its fourth iteration of the Navigator - a vehicle it launched in 1997 that gave rise to all other SUVs.

That seems very long ago, and Lincoln is now playing catch-up to many others in the class, notably Cadillac's Escalade.

But just ahead of the North American Auto Show last month, it released it's fourth generation concept, hoping that "going big" (literally) would have an impact. Visually: it's "mission accomplished."

Featuring massive, gull-wing doors, gargantuan 20+ inch pinwheel-style wheels, and a grand-staircase step ladder entrance to both front and back seats simultaneously, the Navigator looks more like a small house - or a subway car, or a yacht - than a vehicle meant for the road.

But that's all part of the calculation. One can see a CEO as well as a rapper entering and exiting this thing with style and panache, with paparazzi all the while snapping away.

Is all of this practical? Of course not. It's extremely easy to discount the enormous gull-wing doors and the three-step entrance as the stuff of car show concept fantasy-land. The doors, which expose both front and back occupants to the elements - not to mention the aforementioned paparazzi - every time they're opened for exit or entrance, are flawed as as a design element.

That said, in the era of the Tesla X, which successfully integrated them into a PRODUCTION vehicle (and solved the problem of scuffing up the neighboring car each time they're opened) one cannot discount the idea that they'll see actual daylight. One designer, in fact, noted that the doors alone could cause Chinese millionaires (a target audience for this vehicle) to throw heaps of cash at Lincoln. So there's that. In fact, the entire "over-the-topness" of the design may be attributable to the Chinese market, which goes wild for such extravagant-looking beasts.

Other than these striking design elements, one sees a Range Rover pedigree in the long, sleek horizontal design language of the side panels - unsurprising given the past connection between the companies until Rover's sale to Tata in 2008.

I'd note the more than passing resemblance also to the Ford Flex in its side architecture - that is, if anyone knew what I was talking about, since the Flex is a non-advertised red-headed stepchild over at Ford, apparently.

The front grille and lamps deserve notice here, as well, since they're vastly improved and far more elegant than in previous generations. The grille features a massive, but gently rounded, trapezoid with mesh and a lighted ornament in its center that is elegant, impressive and would be unmistakable for any other vehicle on the road. The headlamps are huge - befitting the entire concept, and don't offend, though one could say they somewhat resemble styles one could see on any other model. Hyundai comes to mind. Still, they are deserving of respect, straddling this grille and pointing to non-functioning air intakes that contribute mightily to the horizontal-ness of the design.

Despite this blog's obsession with exterior styling, one must take a moment to note that the rear door panel (which sadly resembles too much a Toyota) opens up  to a built-in closet of sorts, where the driver can put his suits, shoes and brief case in a rather elaborate set-up.

All rear seats feature wide-screen TVs and the blond wood and leather are amazingly attractive and are clearly a step up from any other American SUV - or they will be, if they make it past the bean-counters.

All-in-all, this is a grand and notable concept that deserves some respect for "going big."

Staving off the fears of bankruptcy and oblivion that haunted it just a few years back, A Detroit News article notes that Ford has committed funds to the Ford Kentucky truck plant that will build the next Navigator, has signed a four-year contract there with unions.

Not that recessions can't change everything, but the Navigator and other Lincoln models are clearly stepping up their game and are making an effort to keep Lincoln Motor Company in business for the short-term, anyway. They're betting the farm on the Chinese buying enough of these land yachts to keep the Lincoln brand afloat. And they just might.

More photos, from the Lincoln Motors site: http://www.lincoln.com/navigator-concept/