renault’s initiale concept car.
Renault’s Initiale concept car at the Frankfurt motor show is romantic in yet another new way about the city. Its roof is etched with a map of the City of Lights. By Laurens van den Acker. [ details ]
Renault x ross lovegrove. Milan 2013.
images courtesy renault | click > enlarge
Ross Lovegrove has done a car for Renault. It will be shown in Milan on 8 April, part of a search for new forms of Renault design language in the future. The images suggest Lovegrove’s biomimetic vocabulary at work: check the branching wheel forms. [ renault ] [ ross lovegrove ]
spoiler detail
nature-influenced wheel
ripple pattern
fog lamp detail
nature-influenced alloy design
<a href="
about phil patton
Grabit robot multipurpose holder. Kickstarter project.
click > enlarge
DesignApplause met Leo and Angie Fajardo at an after party at Housewares Show 2013. They had something to show and they didn’t have a booth. After chatting with them for 15 minutes and seeing what they were up to DA joined their team of supporters. Kickstarter has a full-blown presentation [ check it out ]
[ trinkits design ]
Bentley barnato roadster concept.
click > enlarge
Design intern Ben Knapp Voith was directed to create a modern day version of a 1920s Bentley. The Bentley Barnato Roadster concept was created over his eight-month internship and then shown at Art Center College of Design graduation show.
A detail is the asymmetrical seating arrangement with an optional passenger seat. The body is carbon fiber and the racer would be powered by a modified version of the Audi S4′s V6.
reminds us of a sailboat hull
1920s Bentley 3-Litre Open Tourer
Nissan townpod ev concept.
click > enlarge
Looking back ( it seems way back ) to the 2010 Paris Motor Show let’s revisit Nissan’s second electric vehicle (EV) concept. The Townpod was developed as a green DIY vehicle.
With the Townpod concept Nissan wants to offer the possibility to customers of choosing the interior specifications of their vehicle by using proprietary as well as third-party sourced accessories. The idea is that everyone adapts the car to its individual needs. For example a musician transporting its kit between gigs, a delicatessen proprietor distributing their wares or an architect carrying drawings to a client musician.
According to Nissan’s Exploratory and Advance Planning Department, François Bancon, “Only they know what is essential for their lives, so it is logical that they should be the ones who determine the ultimate specification of their cars. For them an off-the-shelf solution is not enough and the best-equipped people to tailor-make their cars are themselves. What is more revealing is that Nissan Townpod users do not appreciate stereotypes or status symbols. For them, the ultimate status is to have no status.”
An unprecedented tool for today’s entrepreneurs
Simple platform, which users can tailor to their own needs
Combines benefits of a passenger car with practicality of a light commercial vehicle
Compact external dimensions belie generous interior space
Low, flat-floor features long sliding rear seat
Rear hinged rear doors and split trunk doors ease access in tight spots
Touch-screen display cooperates with user’s PDA
Zero-emission propulsion matches modern professionals’ core values
[ exterior design ]
Externally Nissan Townpod consist of many familiar elements, yet it is different. It employs the same zero-emission technology found within Nissan LEAF. Charging points can be found in the nose behind an automatically retracting cover.
The headlights reflect Nissan Townpod’s philosophy of stylish utility by serving as position markers when the blue “petals” are closed and headlights when open.
The car is decidedly more van-like with its split rear doors. Innovative hinges allow the rear doors to slide, then open in confined spaces and then fold to the side of the car so as not to obstruct passing traffic or pedestrians. A hatch-like sun roof, directly above the cargo area, allows Nissan Townpod to carry taller objects.
[ interior design ]
The driver is faced with an uncomplicated yet futuristic steering wheel and two familiar stalks to operate the lights and wipers, but other than these controls – which are beautifully simple in their own light – the flowing dashboard is devoid of mechanical switches. Forward or rearward drive is selected using an uncomplicated joystick set into the right-hand side of the driver’s seat base.
The rear seat itself has an interesting trick incorporated into its design. While it is not uncommon to find rear seats that slide or fold, enabling passengers to either prioritize leg room or luggage space, the ultra-slim design of the seats means that the rear bench can fold and slide right into the back of the front seats, freeing the entire, flat-bottomed space behind to carry bulky cargo.
[ dual screen display ]
All controls for ancillaries such as climate control and media playback are accessed through two centrally mounted digital screens. The upper monitor serves as an instrument panel, displaying car speed, battery status and remaining range as well as a satellite navigation system. This system is also equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology, allowing it to communicate with the driver’s Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that will map out a plan for all your appointments that day. It will also be able to suggest the most convenient time and place for you to recharge its lithium-ion batteries.”
The lower touchscreen provides all controls for the navigation system, allows users to perform system checks on the whole car and operates Nissan Townpod’s audio system.
[ conclusion ]
At its core, a car is a means to transport people or goods from one place to another as simply and easily as possible. Though two year’s old, a long-time in the concept category, Nissan Townpod’s design supports the essence of its function. [ nissan zero-emmissions ] [ nissan ev history ]
Concept speedboat and xf sportbrake by jaguar.
click > enlarge
[ Jaguar Cars ] raises the bar for introducing a new car, the XF Sportbrake, by unveiling the Concept Speedboat.
2012 jaguar xf speedbrake
[ official release ]
Jaguar Cars has today unveiled an exciting and unique styling concept at the international driving debut of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake. ‘The Concept Speedboat by Jaguar Cars’ showcases the design DNA of the British premium luxury and sports car manufacturer in an unexpected and spectacular package.
Jaguar Director of Design, Ian Callum is at the forefront of the Concept Speedboat. Callum explained: “We recognise that both our existing and future customers enjoy diverse and active lifestyles. With the launch of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake, we had an opportunity to create a vision of how our design philosophy might be applied to an alternative product, in which speed and beauty are also priorities.
“The Concept Speedboat looks powerful. It follows, in so many ways, the idea of a traditional speedboat but with the sleek and fast characteristics that you would expect from a Jaguar Car.”
Jaguar Cars consulted with a yacht design specialist* and a bespoke design project management company** throughout the development of the Concept Speedboat. The Concept Speedboat has a gel coat fibreglass hull finished on top with a natural teak decking. This is split by a carbon fibre fin, inspired by the iconic Jaguar D-Type. The front of the boat flows seamlessly into the screen and the red 2+1 cabin follows the sporting character of Jaguar cars. Jaguar Cars’ heritage is also subtly recognised with fuel filler caps inspired by the Series 1 XJ. A polished aluminium propeller and pop-up mooring post imitates how the boat could be powered and docked respectively.
[ concept speedboat: specification highlights ]
LOA [length over all]: 6.1m / 20′
LWL [length water line]: 5.3m / 17′, 5″
Beam: 2.0m / 6′ 7″
Draft: 0.4m / 1′,3″
Deadrise: 21°
Passengers: 2 + 1
Ian Callum added: “I hope our design inspires people to think about our products in a much broader sense, especially in lifestyle and enjoyment. I have always had a passion to create such an object and it seemed fitting that we relate this to a lifestyle vehicle such as the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. The two sit together perfectly.”
[ 2012 jaguar sportbrake ]
The new XF Sportbrake is the most versatile derivative of the award winning Jaguar XF to date. It represents a compelling combination of muscular yet elegant design, dynamic ability, contemporary interior luxury and, with a load-space capacity of up to 1675 litres, a no-compromise approach to practicality.
Matching the XF saloon for aerodynamics, torsional stiffness and dynamic handling ability, it is powered exclusively by Jaguar’s range of powerful, refined and efficient diesel engines. The rear wheels are driven via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 2.2-litre engine is fitted with Jaguar’s Intelligent Stop-Start system, making it the company’s most efficient powertrain to date, while the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is available in two states of tune, with 275PS in the range-topping Diesel S. The XF Sportbrake goes on sale in UK and throughout Europe in November.
The standard equipment includes a lot of practical touches like remote fold levers mounted within the boot to lower the rear seats, powerful LEDs and splitting boot floor into three sections. Beneath the car there are extensive changes to the rear suspension. Self-levelling air suspension aids driving dynamics and means the Sportbrake can serve as an accomplished tow vehicle. The 2012 XF Sportbrake is powered by the award-winning 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel and a 3.0 litre six-cylinder diesel. Both send their power to the rear wheels via an advanced 8-speed automatic gearbox.
*Naval architecture consultancy by Ivan Erdevicki Naval Architecture & Yacht Design Inc.
**Yacht concept design consultancy by Seventy Seven Design
The ‘Concept Speedboat by Jaguar Cars’ is a design project that was commissioned to support the launch of the XF Sportbrake. The company has no plans to build or commercialise a boat of any kind.
Thonet concept bike. Andy martin.
click > enlarge
Here comes another wooden bike concept. This one is a bit different though. It’s built for Thonet using their steam bent-wood know-how developed in the 1930s.
At the end of 2010 London based designer andy martin was asked by Thonet to design and develop a concept road bicycle using their steam bending process. He developed three designs of which the final was selected because its beauty and modest connection with the heritage of the company.
Andy says ‘The challenge was to take on fairly low tech process of steam bending and then apply it to a 21st century bicycle with highly complex engineering’. With the many restrictions of hand bending the beech frame the final jointing and contours would be cut and adjusted on a cnc machine. Andy has also developed a series of connectors and sprung rods to reinforce joints and the major stress areas in the frame. The bike itself is a fixed wheel, which is the tradition of cycling; one has a greater connection to the bike and the surface one rides on. The bike comes with no brakes and has several interchangeable gear ratios. The seat is solid beech wood supported on a sprung rod supports. The wheels, not designed by andy are carbon fibre HED H3’s. I may like the firmness of my Brooks B17 Special vs a solid beech saddle though.The bike will be available in limited edition and cost £43,000. [ andy martin studio ] [ thonet ]
[ andy martin ] Established in 2000 and based in London, Andy Martin’s studio is a new generation design practice. The studio incorporates craftspeople, furniture designers, product designers and futurists. Andy, who has worked with some of the most illustrious names in design and creative fields and spent 5 years working alongside Marc Newson in Paris. In London his architectural practice, AMA, is better known for designing some of London’s best restaurants and he has more recently designed the private homes of Noel Gallagher and the Hotelier Olga Polizzi. Andy who was born in Australia, was designing furniture at 18 when he shaped his first chair in the same method as a surfboard. Growing up in Sydney’s northern beaches Andy was a keen surfer and had been making surfboards for both himself and friends since 15yr old.
[ Thonet ] today, as in the past, is considered a pioneer of furniture design throughout the world. The company was established in 1819 by Michael Thonet to produce his own designs, using the then new bentwood process, which he developed. Within a short period of time it became a major furniture manufacturer with a global distribution network. In the 1930’s a major expansion took place with the addition of tubular steel furniture from famous Bauhaus associated designers such as Mart Stam, Marcel Breuer and Mies van der Rohe. Today, as well as continuing with the manufacture of many of the tubular steel and bentwood classics, Thonet, in their long established tradition of innovation and design quality, introduce products by renowned contemporary architects and designers such as Claudio Bellini, Stefan Diez, Naoto Fukasawa, Hadi Teherani, James Irvine, Glen Oliver Löw, Lepper, Schmidt, Sommerlade. This family enterprise managed by the 5th generation of Thonets, has its corporate headquarters and production facility in Frankenberg, Germany.
A non-pedestrian bridge in paris. MA2.
click > enlarge
Design office M A 2 (Houston USA) proposes a very non-pedestrian bridge that crosses the river Seine in Paris near Palias du Louvre. The bridge has two structural elements: a foot passage to cross the river and a dramatic surface envelope that makes an aesthetic statement on and around this venue. The envelope, with its truss system evenly distributes the weight of the bridge and provides for an elegant statement crossing over the river.
The primary support is an aluminum integrated system of trusses and tubing. The secondary system of the envelope is a lightweight carbon fiber mesh and panel system. The envelope houses an embedded LED lighting which come into play when walking. There are also provisions for adding digital art and information along the way.
[ M A 2 ] images courtesy of ma2
Panera cares. Pay what you can.
panera cares. pay what you can. take what you need. leave your fair share. via chicagoist [nOnnIs]
porsche 918 supercar hybrid. iteration 2.0.
Porsche 918 Spyder update: announced in 5/2012 the latest (above) iteration of their supercar hybrid, a first. The image (below) most identified with the 918 announced in 2010: note the side pipes by the rear wheel well. They are gone in v2.0. The pipes have been relocated venting out the rear window to improve heat dissipation. The 918 Spyder will go into production at the end of September 2013 as planned, with the first customers receiving their vehicles before 2013 is out.
The 918 is designed as a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The focus is on combining a high-performance (770 hp) combustion engine with two cutting-edge electric motors – one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels – for extraordinary performance: on the one hand, the dynamics of a racing machine, on the other hand, fuel consumption 78mpg ( 3L/100km). Moreover, Porsche is breaking yet more new ground such as the full carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque with unit carrier, fully adaptive aerodynamics, adaptive rear-axle steering and the upward-venting “top pipes” exhaust system. [ 918/2012] [ 918/2010 ]