by Giancarlo Perini (c)

You can look back at the Paris Motor Show, the latest top-ranking of the season from many different perspectives: business as usual or new perspective, sexy style or strict functionality, economic status or talks between car-makers to discuss new alliance and even a show within the show. Indeed this is what tiny British carmaker Lotus has done in Paris. By presenting as many as 5 new concept-cars and mock-ups (Elise, Elan and Esprit, Elite and Eterne) the company has attracted a lot of attention from the media and caused a series of serious of questions now waiting for an answer.

Indeed Lotus new leaders (led by past Ferrari managers) is trying to re-establish the company as a new competitor to Ferrari: their head of design, Donato Cocco, went no-stop from Maranello to Hethel (home of Lotus headquarters). The look of the new Lotus is quite sexy and really fast. Trouble is that they are hardly “new” cars. It couldn’t be otherwise: considering the extension of similarities with existing Ferrari. But what is most amazing (and confusing) is the offer of bigger V8 (Toyota) engines with too many horse power at a time when the trend is going in the different direction, toward downsizing. They are just too heavy to deserve the Lotus badge. This and the excess of different cars aiming at the same market produce a clear perception that the company strategy and efforts are aiming at capturing investors rather the car buyers. I will certainly be not one of them. I cannot see how they can go from 2 to 10 thousand sales per year within the next 5 to 10 years. I cannot offer any of my own pictures: access to their exhibition was managed as a popular disco with people (professional and not having to queue to be let in, simply ridicolous).

Back to the real show, I would leave the talks among top executives of merge, alliance or sale to the financial newspapers, but simply note that in this area it was the perspective sale of Alfa Romeo to Volkswagen that was the most controversial, with Fiat’s C.e.o. saying “let them wait” and those a VW commenting “It is just a matter of time”. Everyone would love to get Alfa Romeo and Fiat has more words than money to spend on its revival.

As expected the main theme (and obsession) of the show was the electric-car (and mopeds) of the near, or far, future, but the more beautiful show-cars got more attention for their style, as we shall see in a moment.

On the regular production cars front, the newcomers to mention bear the name of the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the fore-runner of the “sleek four door coupé” architecture is now at its second generation and comes with a style that cannot go unnoticed for its strong character and (following the BMW school of design) sharp lines as well for the news that it will also come with s compact 4 cylinder 2.2 litre diesel engine pumping as much as 500 Nm of torque and 150 kW power.

Next is the New Audi A7 which goes on sale in November but has already been seen and driven before the show. The third “premium” brand presented in Paris the new BMW X3 cross-over that is bigger and better than its predecessor and is no longer produced in Austria by Magna Steyr but in Spartanburg (U.S.A.) by BMW themselves. They also unveiled the look of the forthcoming BMW 6 Series coupé as a very promising “concept”.

In the ultra-luxury category it is Bentley which won the greatest acclaim with their new Continental GT Coupé, also with stronger character lines, especially in the rear and s V8 replacing the V12 to save up to 40% emissions. Ferrari, on their side, launched a limited edition (80 units only, all sold) of its California in roadster style, called SA Aperta where S stands for Sergio and A for Andrea Pininfarina, whereas Aperta is Italian for open (roof).

Hyundai and Kia keep going strong and have introduced a range of new cars due to go on sale in the next months: the Hyundai ix20 minivan (sister of the Kia Venga, both for the small size segment), the new Genesis Coupé now more powerful with a 3.8 litre, 303 HP V6 or a 2.0 litre 210, four-in-line engine. In addition, Hyundai also presented the Genesis sedan and the Equus flagship with the aim of monitoring the public’s reaction. Kia, on its turn, introduced in Europe the successor to the Magentis up-scale sedan. All confirmed the steady improvement of the Korean car industry leaders.

Now under Indian (Tata) ownership Land Rover seems to enjoy a new life. In Paris the company is showing to the public at large its new Range Rover Evoque in a brilliant move that combines marketing, branding and design. Indeed the Evoque is in essence a Land Rover Freelander, redesigned and re-engineering (shorter but wider) to drive on front wheels only (first time ever in a Land Rover, what a shame!) as well as 4×4 (with bigger engines) and styled as a trendy (although rather impractical) 2 door SUV Coupé. It clearly aims at attracting fashion victims driving in metropolitan areas. Soon a 4-door version will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month (November). The Range Rover Evoque will probably be a success among emotional and irrational driven buyers, quite the opposite of those who will continue to make the redesigned Volkswagen Passat, the best selling car in the European upper-medium class.

The new VW Passat available as a sedan and wagon is the perfect classic, rational and quality product for the conservative customers. Its style combine the new VW look of recent Golf and Polo with a body that strongly recalls Mercedes-Benz of two or three decades ago. That style is an evergreen and VW is quite right in taking this direction now that Mercedes has left that market to other makers. Classic in style, the Passats are very modern in technology and sophisticated in equipment and option.

Volvo, on the contrary, is moving fast into a more dynamic and performance oriented territory. Its new V60 is a coupé-like compact wagon with a strong image designed to appeal to safety-conscious drivers who also favour a modern and trendy look.

This was not all, because the French industry made sure to have new proposals for their own motor show, even though they did not impress but for the new Peugeot 508 sedan which elegant and classic style takes back Peugeot to good design. Also noteworthy from Peugeot is their 3008 Hybrid 4, the first to match a diesel engine with electric traction (on real wheels thus delivering part-time 4×4 transmission).

Citroen’s new C4 is different from the generation it replaces but it is hardly better, despite a series of improvement under the bonnet and for the quality of materials inside the passenger cabin. Its design is absolutely conservative and rather irrelevant. Even the “premium” derivative the DS4 is a disappointment after the very cute and successful DS3.

Last but not least is Renault. This company focused its effort on electric vehicles and a stunning show-car, leaving to their Korean partner, Samsung, to deliver the Latitude, another unlikely attempt (after the Vel Satis) to win European buyers to a premium car with the Renault trade mark. Clearly a no-investments, no-risks, option that might make some sense at this time.

Renault showed a completely different face with its stunning show-car; and it is with its DeZir that we now enter into the “Concept, dream and show” cars territory.

Once again, the name carry the message: the capital Z is the symbol for zero emission performance granted by a 109 kW electric motor propelling the 830 kg Kevlar intense, two-seater coupé, with symmetric door and bio-design look. DeZir is an artificial name that has no meaning but its pronunciation in French sounds like “desir”, French for “desire”. This is the first car designed under the new leadership of Laurens van den Acker to be seen by the public at large and certainly marks a departure from recent design works by Renault.

Although very interesting DeZir was not my favourite design at the show. In my opinion the “dream car” that deserves the title of “Star of the Show” is the Jaguar C-X75. Not only its architecture and style achieve a beautiful balance in volumes, shapes and graphic but the proposed powertrain and traction system (now under feasibility study in view of a limited production, not yet decided) grants this powerful supercar a clear eco-friendly image by combining four electric motors (one per wheel) with twin-turbine Hybrid (see dedicated post for more).

My choice of the “Top Star” has not been easy because there were a few more very attractive show-cars that deserved the honour of a bright star: the Audi e-tron Spyder (the electric open-air sport car for the purists),

Lamborghini “Sesto Elemento” (the technology show-case of future supercars), Sear IBe (the affordable 2+2 coupé for the young and green generation) and the KIA POP (the theoretical and futuristic three-seats, electric drive, alternative to the Toyota IQ city car).

There were other interesting concept cars on display, such as the Audi Quattro Concept, Citroen Lacoste, Nissan Townpod, Peugeot HR1 and EX 1; and the Renault Zoe but they are not within my top 5 favourite from Paris.

Yet, they – but the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento – clearly confirm the trend emerged in recent times: the car of the future is going to be a Hybrid and than (or) an Electric car. Well, at least a good part of them because for quite some time the internal combustion engine will continue to live and prosper all over the world.

Lamborghini might eventually offer also an hybrid alternative to their V10 and V12 engines but for the time being they are working to dramatically cut fuel emission (hence consumption) by dramatically cut the weight of their car through extensive use of carbon fibre.

Their Sesto Elemento (Italian for Sixth Element) introduces the use of avionic “forged carbon” technology that allow to form a new panel of any dimension in six minutes versus the six hours requested so far by conventional carbon fibre cooking oven. Lighter cars should positively be the new frontier but they cost a lot of money and the industry prefers to look elsewhere. As long as they can afford it.

]]> http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2010/10/27/my-2010-paris-motor-show/feed/ 1 http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2010/07/15/the-2010-geneva-motor-show/ http://autodesign.socialblog.us/2010/07/15/the-2010-geneva-motor-show/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:59:24 +0000 Giancarlo Perini http://autodesign.socialblog.us/?p=261 Those of you who read Car Styling magazine might have been puzzled by my report on the Geneva motor show published in the latest (and last?) issue of the magazine.
For some mysterious accident that are more common in the printed press than you can image my text was cut and mixed up. For a more accurate reading and for the records I am publishing here the original text. Just as a sign of respect for my readers.

Official statistics show that the latest and 80th Geneva Motor Show set a new record for “premieres”, with as many as eighty “new cars”, or so, unveiled for the first time there. Now, considering the space in the magazine is not growing with the number of new cars at motor shows, let’s go straight to the point and answer the usual questions: how was the show this year. What was relevant and worth recording for the years to come?

First I would say that I saw more irrelevant, disappointing or irritating cars (read designs) than interesting and attractive ones: be for their design or their lack of innovative ideas/concepts. A short list includes the Aston Martin Cygnet,  Renault Megane CC, Renault Wind and Toyota Auris.

EV and Hybrids are introduced in other pages and I leave it to my colleague reporting and commenting on them, including the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid and the Opel Flexetreme GT/E.

To me the new car that faithfully mirrors the current times was the Proton Emas by Italdesign –Giugiaro because it points straight into the right direction of the functional car of the near future.

It offers the Lotus engineered serial-hybrid technology that will save us oil and emissions, both in town and between cities (even though its 3-cylinder engine could be a lot smaller and lighter). It shows how roomy and comfortable a 3.55 metre long and 1699 wide, 4 full-size-seats car, sitting on a 2590 mm. long wheelbase, can be.

Its design inside and out is stylish and attractive, although the treatment of the surface is simple and conventional.  The smart package and the simple and “two-dimensional” architecture allow for derivatives that are easy and economical to produce: the taller “Country” (with 4×4 drive coming as standard from the hybrid technology) or the ultra-tiny 3 metre, 3+1 seats, city car that can easily challenge the Toyota IQ on price, performance and style simplicity.

Add to all this the notion that this is the car the Malaysian carmaker plans to mass-produce sometime next year and you may agree with me. It is perhaps humble but in my eyes and in my mind it is “the interesting car of the show”.

If the Italdesign-Proton was the most interesting “rational hybrid for all” which were the most “trendy and emotional” cars of the show?

In the department of cars that (reasonable) money can buy I would list the Opel Meriva in the first place, and the Audi A1 with the Volvo S60 next. To be honest I have not made my mind yet on the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, a new proposition I would love to love but that failed to impress me. My first reaction is that it style is a bit overdone, access and space at the rear is not enough and its build quality will be a though challenge. I hope to make my mind for good, when I see the Giulietta on the road and in daylight, one of these days.

When the price does not matter, the horizon is a bit wider and wilder: the execution of the Bugatti Veyron Supersport and the ultimate Pagani Zonda Tricolore is simply stunning and makes each unit a masterpiece anyone would like to see, touch and to have in their living room.

On this front, the courage of those who want to revive the myth Hispano-Suiza (with production of the 2010 Granturismo in Lugano, Switzerland) is just amazing and one can only wish them just as much success as Pagani (if their quality matches that of a luxury Swiss watch).

Another “come-back” not to be missed is that of Touring Superleggera. In Geneva the re-born Italian coachbuilder has unveiled a work typical of the company tradition: the Bentley Continental Flying Star by Touring, a high-class shooting brake derivative of the superlative Continental GT, a sports car featuring enough space to join a hunting party or a golf tournament with elegance and efficiency This will be a strong contender for the Villa d’Este Trophy early next May, unless Zagato’s latest masterpiece (due to be unveiled there) surpasses it in style and elegance.

Journalists from all over the world who attended the event celebrating the present and future innovations of the VW Group had also a direct preview of two supercars of the near future. Both are not confirmed for production but both, one from Bugatti and the second one by Porsche, are very likely to reach limited production in the semesters to come. Bugatti presented a second (and different) prototype of its four door, 16–cylinder, “Bugatti 16C Galibier”, whereas Porsche teased everyone with a rather realistic “concept” of a rear-midship hybrid V8 Porsche 918 Spyder. Its style is excessive, following an insane trend on one side, and probably disorientating its competitors on the other side. I do not see Porsche going away from its “engineering” approach to body design and I actually expect something a lot simpler from the production car.

From this point let’s move to the more entertaining (and often“déjà vue”) show-cars. Here I would like to start with two cars: the Hyundai i-Flow and the Mercedes-Benz F-800 Style to say that, once upon a time, Hyundai was imitating or (to be more diplomatic) taking inspiration from Mercedes-Benz  now I have the impression that it is the other way around.

I am talking of a certain way to see car-design, of the direction these companies are going, of the lack of principles and orientation for those companies which look outside of their own culture and, perhaps, in the wrong direction.

The consequence of this is that I feel more comfortable in front of the wide and short Seat Ibe EV by the team of Luc Donckerwolke team and the Hyundai I-Flow of Nicola Danza and Nico Munkler than in front of the F-800 concept. The i-Flow shows as many lines as you would expect by summing three production cars but it remains true to its company’s heritage (which has just delivered the attractive and successful ix-35). On its turn the F-800 confuses me with its excesses.

In this respect, after the devastating “big-mouth” look, the Peugeot SR1 and “5 by Peugeot” marks a welcome-back to elegance and style of the French makers. The 5 by Peugeot is very promising and although it may benefit of a bit of further refinement and more (subtle) character it will certainly be a market success when it is ready for production, in France and in China, within the next 12 months, as the new Peugeot 508.

Citroen, Peugeot and Renault also had their share of attention in Geneva. The Renaults are all-right, but do not stimulate attraction.

The Citroens are dress-up for the occasion. Citroen has got the spirit to offer great entertainment to the public and designers must have had a lot of fun at working on the DS3 Racing as well as freeing their fantasy with the Citroen Survolte.

On a more approachable frontline the Citroen DS High –Rider is intriguing as its design confirms Citroen aims to be a “different sort of car” as its heritage calls for. The difference now is that rather than being controversial for its engineering innovations Citroen now plays a safer card by betting on mildly provocative marketing and design approach.

Only a new marketing approach can explain  the direction taken by Nissan for the look of its Yuke and the front design of their new Micra. Again it is marketing that is betting and banking on design with the Mini Countryman, which design succeed in being different, despite being rather conventional with its five doors. It remains pretty unique and I wonder the Mini “approach” to design can be stretched. These three volume production cars are getting suspiciously close to be car…icatures and there will be lessons to be learned from the market places in different regions.

A successfukl life is more likely for well-done “business as usual cars” such as the Ford Focus Hatchback and its Wagon derivative, the new VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, the

Mazda 5 and its rival VW Sharan, as well as the Kia Sportage.

Before closing I need to report on the three design studies proposed by the Italian coachbuilders to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Alfa Romeo and to fare well for its future. Following the alphabetical order is politically correct and allows me to close on positive notes, which is always good. The Bertone Pandion faithfully reflects the state of the art of the Italian automotive industry. Officially it is built on the running gears of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione although it is a well known fact that they are those of the Maserati Granturismo. Well, the Bertone Pandion is certainly a most spectacular show-car, the one with the tallest doors ever seen at a Motor Show and the matched by the tallest girl ever seen posing as a model next to a show car. I am not sure this is the car that the real Alfisti would dream of, but it cannot be denies that the show-car designed and built under the direction of Michael, Mike, Robinson, is a real Bertone, with its high tones and excesses combined with a great number of ideas and experiments. I wonder if this is the sort of Alfa Romeo needs for its future or it rather serves to celebrate the past glories of both Alfa Romeo and Bertone.

Alfa Romeo positively need an elegant, very dynamic and sexy flagship if it is to return to the U.S.A. and make some profit. This is the sort of car that the designers led by Umberto Palermo of I.DE.A. Institute have created with a very sexy Italian icon in mind. Sofia Loren.

This is confirmed not only by the model’s name but primarily by the round, soft and sexy lines of the I.DE.A Sofia design study. This is not a running prototype by a full scale model conceived as a stately sport limousine.

Pininfarina 2uettOttanta.

Pininfarina have indeed win the show top honours with its “2uettottanta” where 2 is designed to almost look like a capital D. The name wants to say this is the Alfa Romeo Duetto celebrating the 80 years of Pininfarina For this very reason the designers have made sure (and have got it absolutely right) that their Alfa Romeo Duetto for the future is a real Alfa Romeo. That is compact, light and nimble. Simple and pure. Elegant and with a clear, sport character. This is what the 2uetottanta is all about: dynamic architecture, perfect proportions, sophisticated simplicity inside and out, care for details. The silhouette of the roadster (easy to redesign as a soft-top convertible for regular production) speaks for itself and call for a compact engine installed “inside of the front axle” and rear wheel drive. Precisely the dream-car all Alfisti pre-and-past “The Graduate” Dustin Hofmann keep dreaming about. The dream-car that Alfa Romeo has got to build.

Geneva Motor Show 2010 – Photo Gallery

More news have come form Italdesign-Giugiaro on their presence at the Geneva Motor Show, with some detail concerning the powertrain developed with Proton and their own Lotus Engineering think thank in the U.K.

Lotus Engineering have developed their own hybrid powertrain according to the parallel-hybrid principle. A small 1.3 litre 3-cylinder engine at the front works only to charge two compact packs of lithium-ion batteries, each placed on one axle, front and rear. This grants all-time four-wheel drive and hence the inspiration for the second member in the new family of compact-outside-huge inside cars. The first addition is called “Country” and its design is positively that of a “crossover”, with a slightly higher ground clearance and the trendy and stereotyped look of a simile-SUV.

There is no official news yet of a third member in the family being readied for Geneva to really impress the viewer. This is a dramatically shorter derivative, aiming at putting four adults in a 3 metres long package that would show and prove how much can be done to make our cars serious and practical means of individual mobility. Perhaps not really sexy but clearly useful and environment friendly.

Going to an international motor show is like going to the annual market. You meet a lot of friends and people, see many things and you come back home with the head full of information, impressions, news, comments and opinions. So much so that indeed you need a few days to arrange everything in some sort of order so that you get to the essence of the experience. This is all the same and yet all different every time. And I am not just talking of the cars.

As for cars, new cars I mean, I have come home with an incredible load of pictures and information.

I would have to share them all with you the very moment I sat back to my PC last Saturday but this is simply impossible. It takes a lot of time to put a label and classify more than 2000 images.

Now, having done just that I can start sharing with you some of the most significant. Or at least some that I image you want to see as soon as possible.

This is why, at this time I am offering you a series of photo galleries to look at. What you see is a combination of images shot at the Paris “Mondial de l’Automobile” and images provided by the press offices and design studio of the car makers.

I am giving priority to the latter ones, as the most attractive and unique.

Related information and comments will be posted shortly. Click on images below to access their photo gallery.

Lotus has officially announced they will be unveiling their all-new 2+2, mid-engine sports car, so far known as the “Eagle” project. Lotus will announce the actual name of the new model on the opening of the British Motor Show in London on July 22^nd.

The new Lotus is powered by a Toyota’s 3.5-litre V6, with dual VVT tuned by Lotus to effortlessly deliver 280 HP. According to Lotus, the new car “employs innovative lightweight chassis technology to ensure visceral all-round dynamic performance, in keeping with the great Lotus tradition”.

The top speed claimed is 160 mph and acceleration time from zero to 60 mph is claimed to be under 5 seconds. As well as being sold in a 2+2 configuration, the car will also be available as a purely two seater, the space in the rear being allocated to luggage storage. Other derivatives are also planned for the future, including a convertible and an ultrahigh performance version. Lotus plans a production run of only 2000 units per year, with first deliveries schedules for Spring 2009.Talking of the car design, developed in-house, under his leadership. head of Lotus Design Russell Carr said: “The dynamically sculptured form and the dramatic proportions of the “Eagle” communicate visual drama, speed and agility even when the car is standing still. Every element of the car’s exterior and interior has been carefully designed to create a product that offers comfort and convenience as well as traditional performance car attributes.”

According to Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc “Project Eagle is the biggest milestone Lotus has achieved since the Elise was born 13 years ago. It represents the first exciting step of our aggressive 5-year model plan, designed to broaden the appeal of the Lotus brand.”

Great holistic sports car can be greener and greener and even greater fun to drive. This is the message from Lotus on the eve of the London Motor Show, where the Sports car and Technology tank established 60 years ago by the late Colin A.B. Chapman, will be unveiling their Eco Elise as a show-car and a high-tech technology demonstrator.

According to Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus plc “The Eco Elise promotes a different perspective on “green”, one which does not revolve solely around tailpipe CO2. Sustainable materials, hemp, eco wool and sisal have been developed for body panels and trim and, combined with hi-tech water based paint solutions, showcase new affordable green technologies. This holistic approach is in keeping with the progressive Lotus culture, driving Lotus to become the world’s green automotive consultancy.”

Indeed the Lotus brand values of lightweight, fuel efficient, and high performance are more relevant today than they ever have been. Both for CO2 concerns and fuel economy.

The Eco Elise weighs 32 kg (70.5 lbs) less than the standard Elise S, which means that the efficient Elise S engine in the Eco Elise will give higher fuel economy figures and even better performance.

The reduction in mass improves the handling and braking performance and also reduces the effort required to accelerate the car. The weight reduction philosophy has even extended to the audio system with an exceptionally lightweight stereo and speaker system from Alpine saving 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs). The system uses MP3/ iPod technology in a sleek modern design.

In addition the Eco Elise uses special lightweight wheels that further reduce the unsprung mass and contribute a weight saving of approximately 15.8 kg (34.8 lbs) over the already super light Elise wheels.

No doubt: many industry insiders will have a very close look to the Eco Elise. Weight reduction has got to become the very first priority of any car maker from now on, whatever the starting point of their model range.

Group Lotus Today