Monday, November 3rd 2008

Made-to-measure motoring - the result

Yes, it’s the 2CV – I think the dashboard gave it away.

More information on 2CV and Citroën history can be found here.

Monday, November 3rd 2008

Made-to-measure motoring

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of one of the world’s most iconic vehicles Hermès has designed a beautifully tailored outfit that highlights the vehicle’s curvaceous and generous forms.

Repainted in a rather fashionable hue of brown, the car gains a natural leather trim on the door facings, interior rear view mirror, gear knob, steering wheel and driver’s sun visor. For an even more elegant finish, the two seats are upholstered in Hermès grey-beige cotton canvas and natural leather. As a finishing touch, the bonnet and interior trim at the rear of the vehicle also feature Hermès cotton canvas.

So, your starter-for-ten, name the car…

Wednesday, October 8th 2008

How's your car - happy or angry?

As an avid petrol-head as well as a designer, I have a great interest in automotive design. Of the many websites I keep in touch with, one of them is SeriousWheels, a great source of up-and-coming trends in automotive design, as well as looking back at tendencies from the past.

One vehicle that I’m always waiting to see is ‘the good-looking, green vehicle’. The one that runs on something other than conventional fuels, it might be a hybrid, electric, hydrogen, whatever. There seems to be a trend that small eco-cars must have a cute, smiley face to portray it’s non-harming, kitten-loving nature?!

Throughout the ages the general rule has been; the more powerful (and expensive) the vehicle is – the angrier and more imposing its face becomes.

For example:

Here’s the Nissan Nuvu; a zero-emission electric city car. With a face that seems to be puckering up to give you a nice big kiss on the cheek.

And here’s a Brabus Mercedes C-Class:

It laughs in the face of fuel consumption figures and has a face angrier than Mr. Angry himself.

There’s loads of studies into what different consumers read from this, its called geometric morphometrics. Many car manufactures use this system with both male and female subjects to rate certain traits on a sliding scale (such as “infancy” to “adulthood”). The traits represented maturity, sex, attitudes, emotions, and personality — all things that people infer from human faces at a single glance.

This data is then used as part of the design process that goes into many of the vehicles on the road today.

So when, if at all, will the crossover occur? Will we ever have an aggressive-looking electric city-car, or a cute and …

Read the rest...

Friday, October 3rd 2008

Virtually real? Or really virtual?

Launched at the Paris Motor Show, the GTbyCITROËN is the first ever car to be specifically designed to bring the virtual and real worlds together. Visitors can actually drive the car in a true to life simulator on the Citroën stand.

A joint venture between Citroën and Polyphony Digital Inc, the makers of Gran Turismo, GTbyCITROËN was created for the eagerly awaited fifth game in the multi-million selling Playstation series.

The press release says: At almost five metres long, GTbyCITROËN packs the latest hi-tech racing equipment into an exaggerated sporty frame. Planted on 21-inch, diamond-effect, aluminium wheels, the car’s gullwing doors, over-sized rear end with mobile spoiler, gaping air intakes and flat underside exude the qualities of an accomplished racer.

But is it real?

Will it ever go into production? Or is it merely a mule to plant a brand into the mind of a 10 year old gamer?

There’s loads more images, renders, sketches, and some great shots of the real vehicle being created over on the SeriousWheels website.

Thursday, September 25th 2008

Keeping it simple

There’s been a few discussions lately here at ICM towers about the intrusiveness and effectiveness of certain methods of advertising.

One thing that hit home when I saw this ad was it’s simplicity. A blindingly straightforward concept executed with great finesse. A prime example that whether you are looking for a new car or not, a brand can be lodged in the mind for a time when you are.

No in-your-face hard selling, no complicated targeting. Just a simple message.

Thursday, July 24th 2008

Waiting for your new car?

For the build up to the launch of BMW’s 2009 7-series, the German manufacturer has built the world’s largest egg timer, and stuck their new model inside it!

The Moscow launch of the new 7 Series, BMW’s most luxurious model, was a glamorous black-tie event with the motto ‘Never Stand Still’.

The 12 metre tall egg timer can be seen in front of St Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin, which houses the Russian government.

More videos can be seen at never-stand-still.com

Monday, July 14th 2008

Love cars? Enjoy doodling?

Why not combine the two.

Just don’t try it on your mum’s old metro.

Click here for more images.

Thursday, June 12th 2008

Don't like the shape of your car? Change it.

I don’t normally go ‘Oooh’ when I see a new concept from BMW . The first time I saw the ‘flame-edge’ design of the 1 series I thought it looked like a bit of a banana, but in time the design grows on you and becomes more acceptable.

The latest GINA concept from BMW takes the vehicle surface to whole new level, stretching a lightweight, flexible fabric ‘skin’ over an articulated metal frame. Enabling you to change the shape of the vehicle.

I particularly like the way elements of the vehicle’s exterior can be altered dependent on various conditions; driving during the day? No need for lights…

Driving at night? Expose lights:

Loads more technical information on the GINA concept can be found here.

Tuesday, April 15th 2008

New Audi RS6 advert

Powerful Hungarian gymnasts, filmed in Budapest by Los Angeles-based director Paul Hunter and part of a £4m campaign for the RS6.

This ad is stunning, and dramatises the strength and fluidity of movement of the car’s internal workings, but would it make me buy an Audi? Well – it won’t stop me that’s for sure!

Tuesday, March 18th 2008

Logo evolution

Here’s a cool article from Neatorama about the evolution of car manufacturers’ brands.

It’s nice to see some of the reasoning behind the logos we recognise today and the lineage that has gone before.

Thursday, March 6th 2008

Another new car...

So, since we seem to have developed quite a thing for cars on this blog, here’s another one. It’s not the prettiest thing ever, but I still wouldn’t say no – I’ve always wanted a Morgan and this one has zero emissions. Shame it’ll probably never be made :(

The Morgan LifeCar