Audi A6

The new A6 is the first production Audi to show the brand's more emotional design direction that had been previewed in the Pikes Peak, Le Mans and Nuvolari concept cars.

Dominated by the large, full depth trapezoidal grille, the exterior proportions of the A6 are otherwise an evolutionary development of its much-lauded predecessor with similar long front overhang and the lengthy cabin emphasised by the sweeping DLO arc. But the surfacing is now less formal, something most evident in the feature that sweeps up from the sills just aft of the front wheel into the upper cut of the rear bumper.

Inside the A6 departs more noticeably from previous Audi designs with a driver centric IP that neatly incorporates the MMI screen interface, steering wheel boss and graphic mark that echo the exterior grille aperture, and an aluminium effect edging to the wood inlays, air vents and unusually clustered instrument dials.

The A6 is the start of Walter de Silva's transformation of Audi design, but we shall likely have to wait for the new TT for an emphatic statement about this new direction. SL

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Since the first 'baby SL', which introduced retractable hard tops and affordable open air motoring in a Mercedes Benz, was launched eight years ago, the entire Mercedes range of cars has been renewed, the entry level A-class introduced and the Smart brand created. As such the new SLK must maintain a successful formula whilst significantly advancing in design.

Just as its predecessor, the new SLK has C-class underpinnings, conventional sports car proportions and folding hard roof. This it progresses with better packaging, a wider range of powertrains (including two V8 engines with seven speed automatic) and an innovative 'Air Scarf' neck-level heating system. But it also moves the SLK design firmly into the new Mercedes Benz sports family with proboscis inspired by the SL-R (in turn inspired by the Maclaren Mercedes Formula 1 car) and the more dynamic and soft surfacing of recent designs from Stuttgart.

Evolutionary and modern like the best Mercedes designs, the SLK is a design well judged for its customers, although possibly a little feminine, and looks set to continue the success of the 'baby SL'. SL

Fiat Trepiùno concept

The original Fiat 500 Nuovo of 1958 became an icon for Fiat and for Italy. It was Fiat’s smallest, cheapest car; the type of car Fiat is now renowned for excelling at. Today the Panda is Fiat’s cheapest, smallest car and the Trepiùno is a close to production concept car that pays homage to the classic 500.

Like the 500, the Trepiùno has twin circular headlamps and twin secondary circular lamps flanking the Fiat graphic mark and chrome side bars. The profile is more dynamic than the original and less acutely domed, in part due to its greater length; at 3.3 metres it is midway between a Smart and a B-class car. This length is exploited by an innovative 3+1 interior configuration. This sees the IP ahead of the front passenger moving forward to allow sufficient space for this passenger to move forward and provide space for a rear passenger. An “emergency” supplementary seats resides behind the driver.

Just as the Mini has successfully capitalised on its iconic predecessor, so the Trepiùno shows how Fiat shall be attempting a similar goal. SL

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Volkswagen Concept C

Another concept car that previews a production car, the Concept C gives a clear indication of what to expect from the forthcoming Volkswagen coupe cabrio (folding hard roof variant) based on the Golf platform. The car also shows how Volkswagen is likely to extend to a full depth grille for forthcoming models and it displays the more emotive form language that the Concept R of Frankfurt last year introduced.

The drop eye lamp graphic is in the front and rear, as are more full-bodied wings that are more distinct from the centre bonnet and boot surfaces. Along the sides run a prominent side feature line which emphasises the car’s dynamic profile, but is rather similar to that employed by Mercedes Benz on the latest SLK.

The production version of the Concept C looks likely to be a handsome car that will do well in this fast emerging niche, but it may not contribute much new to the genre. SL

Volvo YCC concept

Making a surprise world debut at Geneva yesterday, the Volvo YCC (Your Car Concept) aims to capture the needs of the professional female and is the result of a research project led by a team of five women designers. The exterior makes use of graphics rather than form to define the design - the simple 2+2 coupe profile retains the signature catwalk shoulder line but adds raised front fenders for improved visibility.

The interior is entered via wide gull-wing doors for easy access and takes the theme of Scandinavian ‘honesty and light’ for materials inspiration. A host of smart storage and minimal maintenance ideas are incorporated, while the seats have exchangeable covers mounted on thick saddle leather, similar to those seen on the Range Stormer concept.

The only problem with this approach is that the design appears to be driven more by functional requirements rather than any aesthetic conviction that makes the car desirable and also says something new about Volvo as a brand. NH

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Renault Wind concept

Based on the 'B-platform' shared with Nissan’s Micra and the forthcoming micro MPV Renault previewed at Geneva in the Modus, Wind is a front wheel drive compact roadster concept car.

Renault has little history of producing sports cars, the rear engine spider of the 60s and the extreme mid-engine Sports Spider of the 1990s being the exceptions to the rule, and although it has shown several sports car concepts before (the Argos and the Laguna to name two) this is the first that is so close to being production realisable.

Atypically sports car playful exterior surfaces wrap around the open cockpit area; like a pebble in a stream according to Renault! The interior ensconces up to three occupants, with the third sitting on a central rear seat that moves the front armrest aft as a seat base.

The simple interior with fine attention to detail and material use is the highlight of the car, which otherwise lacks typical “sport car” credibility. But Renault are not inclined to produce typical cars so lets hope that the untypical Wind might make it to production. SL

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