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."