Ford Fairlane

The Fairlane concept preludes a new type of American family car from Ford – one that sits between mini-van, SUV and estate car. Based on the Mazda 6 platform, it seats six people in three rows within a two box profile that is midway between estate car and SUV in height. Its exterior is simple in a slightly sober way, only side strakes along the doors and echoed in the hood relieve a form of bluff simplicity and unbroken glasshouse reminiscent of a Range Rover, but that is otherwise somehow more prosaic.

The roof is capped in a white material used on Polo helmets, a clue to the interests of this concept’s target user who might apparently carry antique clocks and Labradors in their Fairlane. This material is also used in the interior along with wicker, and plywood, for what appears to be rather literal interpretation of the sensibilities of fair weather outdoor types.

As markets continue to diversify it becomes ever more critical to be exacting in how a design is positioned and how it addresses a particular audience. Unlike the more extreme concept cars sharing the Ford stand, the Fairlane is seeking out just such a hard-to-define position and audience. And it very nearly does.

Ford Shelby GR1

The GR-1 is an arresting sight. Previously shown at the Pebble Beach concours, it is shown in Detroit with a polished aluminium finish that, whilst hard to read, emphasises the 'wow factor' of the car. Also newly shown at Detroit is its interior.

The car is Ford’s latest 'living legend' design, this time paying homage to the Daytona Coupe produced forty years ago – something most evident in its high kamm tail with a raked back and concave rearmost surface.

The kink in the small DLO is one of its strongest signatures, a kink that is echoed throughout the design in a way which lends it exceptional harmony. This signature is employed inside also where a slightly less automotive and very innovative design identity imbues the cockpit with a real sense of purpose.

Based on the platform of the Ford Shelby concept shown last year to little acclaim, the GR-1 could be Ford’s riposte to GM’s Corvette, as Chrysler’s Firepower might also be. Unlikely perhaps, but lets hope so.

Dodge Charger

Essentially a Dodge version of the Chrysler 300, the new Charger is not a coupe as Chargers of old but a four door sedan, albeit one with clear sporting aspirations underpinned by the NASCAR Charger also debuting at the show.

The car first strikes you with a prominent Dodge grille flanked by frowning lamps, but its most unique elements are its unusual DLO and diving roof line, and distinct rear fender crease that sweeps back into the rear deck. Inside it's exactly as for the Dodge Magnum (an estate very similar to the Charger, launched last year) - a more clean and functionalist aesthetic than its ritzy Chrysler sibling.

The Charger is a new design in the idiom of classic American design; the antithesis of Ford's more European orientated North American design strategy. Whilst unlikely to become an icon like the '68 charger (made famous in the popular Dukes of Hazzard television show) the Charger looks likely to have the same strong, American flavoured appeal as the exceptionally successful 300 - but with more 'muscle car' appeal.

Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe

The Jaguar Advanced Lightweight Coupe (JALC) was a show surprise. Unlike the previous two Jaguar concepts, the R-Coupe shown in Frankfurt 2001 and the RD-6 shown in Frankfurt 2003, the JALC is debuting in Detroit as a spoiler for the XK8 replacement due soon, whose most important market is North America. As such the design is less progressive than the earlier concept cars and a close indication of what to expect from the first of the Ian Callum designed production Jaguars.

Clear E-type design DNA is still very much in evidence in the JALC, from oval grille, soft looped DLO, hip like rear fenders and overall tapering form in plan and general sense of fluidity. But subtle additions to the DNA can also be seen; an almost horizontal crease running from the lower edge of the lamps through the flanks to the rear lamps, vertical side air outlet vent and lamps that run to a sharply defined outer point. Inside the 'Spitfire Wing' IP and 'J-gate' gear selector pattern have been evolved, but ultimately the show car’s bright materials and light colours inside and out can’t disguise what is a rather conservative design.

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Jaguar R-Coupe – Frankfurt 2001
Jaguar RD-6 – Frankfurt 2003

Lexus LF-A

This car follows on from the Lexus LF-C shown at New York last year in showing how the Lexus design philosophy “L-finesse” may be realized in a form language unique to the brand. It also stands to show that the brand has ambitions which extend to a 500bhp, 200mph front engine sports car.

The most striking aspect to the LF-A’s design is its confident, sheer yet fluid surfaces. In particular the way the car’s shoulder surface splits to twist inwards and down into an air vent rearward of the door, and twists outward and back over the air vent to then flow into the rear deck. With air out-letting (with fan assist) through large grilles just below rear lamps that bleed across the upper fender surface, the car works best from the rear three quarter – the frontal aspect being a little pinched and complex.

The interior is also impressively unique, dominated by a leather upper IP that caps a layered horizontal theme and what is becoming a recognizable, almost monochrome Lexus colour and trim strategy.

Innovative design that seems to be genuine realization of a distinct and appropriate Lexus design strategy, and an impressive harbinger of sports car from Toyota’s still young premium brand; the LF-A promises much.

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Lexus LF-C

Mazda Crossport

The Crossport is Mazda showing how their sports car design DNA translates into an SUV. This is most apparent at the front of the car where an RX8 style fender wraps around and over the wheelarch as a distinct volume to the hood and encorporates RX8 style lamps, and where the Mazda seven point grille apperture is sited below the base of the lamps. At the side of the car the DLO base line kinks upward over the rear wheelarch, a distinct feature highlighted by a surface that splits off this line to form a shoulder at the rear of the car. At the rear the lamp graphic extends into the hatch surface as a recess and the numberplate area is glazed over - two attractive design details we're likely to see a lot more of.

Based on a Mazda 6 derived platform, the Crossport is likely to make production in a similar form soon. As this slightly dynamic SUV type hybrid becomes an established class within the North American market, Mazda will have to ensure they protect the Crossport's sportiness in its translation to production.

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