Acura RD-X concept

The RDX is a concept car that gives a clear indication of what we should expect from a forthcoming production SUV from Acura. It also shows a potential direction for an Acura facial identity that will differentiate the brand a little more from Honda.

The design develops the diving body side line that splits two sheer surfaces first seen on the Acura T SX (nee Honda Accord) by extending it around below geometric head lamps and also around the rear of the car above the tail lamps which are surrounded by a fillet and reflect the rather severe graphic of those at the front.

The interior is dominated by white and orange, unusual vertically split seat backs and a low IP surface with a floating wing just above it.

The overall proportions and theme of the car make a lot of sense for what is emerging as a new niche within the US SUV market; compact sports utility vehicles with the emphasis on the “sport”. Like Mazda with their Crossport concept car, Acura must ensure they don’t lose in the translation to production this sporting ingredient.

Infiniti Kuraza concept

The Kuraza is huge. So big it has its six full size seats with six doors – the rearmost being rear hinged. And in deep violet metallic it is hard not notice on the Infiniti stand.

Look beyond the scale and purpleness of the Kuraza and there are some unusual, perhaps even bizarre, design elements. Between the wheels along the flank there is a crease that emerges and fades out in an arc making for some complex surface resolution around base of the C-pillar. Just forward of the C-pillar area, the roof line and DLO arch upward going towards the rear of the car – to afford more headroom for the rearmost of the three rows of seats – such an unexpected treatment as to almost look like a visual illusion.

Inside the wood inlays are also violet, an effect probably hard to achieve but one that challenges one’s perception of the authenticity of this material, and the IP splits vertically ahead of the driver to make way for an information panel in another peculiar design solution.

Every show has its design landmarks and also rans, its high points and low points. The Kuraza, despite being landmark-sized was one of the low points.

Mercury Meta One concept

The Meta One is a preview of a forthcoming Mercury six seat crossover due in two years time and is based closely on the Ford Freestyle. The formal surfaced 'built tough' exterior looks production ready bar some of its details and finishes, but inside the car is more of a concept car.

The theme is very serene – a haven from the outside world. Designer Anthony Prozzi has used Maple wood as a very simple IP form. This works with few extraneous controls, one large reconfigurable display screen and other very simple forms in light harmonious colours to genuinely imbue the interior with a serene feel. Light blue is used for the headlining and upper IP to great effect (albeit a production impossibility given windscreen reflections) and polished metal air vents, column stalks and door handles lend a delicate feel to what might otherwise be a rather passive space. The seats covered in thick dark brown leather asymmetrically wrap up and out toward each other in the centre of the car – an impressive effect that we are seeing increasingly in concept cars.

A quite production-orientated exterior and an interior quite far removed from production reduces the likely influence of this concept compared to, say, the GMC Graphyte whose exterior and interior design is consistently one step ahead of production design. But the Meta One impresses with its handsome exterior and innovative interior none-the-less.

Saturn Sky

The Sky is a production car debut at Detroit with an unusual design background. It is based closely on the Vauxhall VX Lightning that came from Simon Cox’s advanced design studio in Coventry in 2003, which in turn was based on the platform of the 2002 Pontiac Solstice concept and the theme of the Opel Speedster (nee Vauxhall VX220).

Proportionally a classic small front engine sports car not dissimilar to the Mazda MX5, that the Sky most closely competes with. A lot of the attractive exterior is derived from the Lightning; the hood and rear deck that tip in from a sharp crease on the upper surface, the prominent horizontal shut lines running back to the door for the clam shell hood, and the ways the doors sit on a separate surface to the fenders.

But the Sky is not just derivative or wholly European in its design, the front lamps have a slightly soft shape, the rear lamps more bright work, and there is less surface tension than in its Vauxhall branded predecessors, such as around the leading edge of the door.

It may have had an unusual gestation, but the Sky is an attractive car that looks likely to be quite a success with a sub $20,000 price.

Related stories:
Vauxhall VX Lightning concept revealed
Detroit 2002 Highlights - Pontiac Solstice

Subaru B9 Tribeca

Despite being synonymous with four wheel drive, the B9 Tribeca is Subaru’s first SUV. It is also the first Subaru conceived on a platform intended to be shared be other GM family members, although it stays true to its origins with a boxer engine and dedicated exterior and interior design.

The exterior is dominated by the new three part Subaru grille which has previously only been seen on the small R2 sold in Japan and on the B9 Scrambler concept car shown in Tokyo 2003. This slightly baroque grille sits below the head lamps on a reclining front surface that mirrors a rear surface that similarly juts out below the waistline. Another distinctive design element are the rear lamps that stand proud on a surface bulge that runs forward along the sides of the car and fades into the front door handles.

Inside is as much a stake in the ground as the exterior. A 'Y' shaped centre stack area flows outward from the very capacious centre console storage between the front seats, and across into the door panels. Deeply recessed dials and good quality materials are also new to Subaru.

This six seat SUV is a logical step for the brand as is its generally much progressed and more distinctive design.

Related stories:
Tokyo 2003 Highlights - B9 Scrambler
Tokyo 2003 Highlights - R1E

Toyota FTSX concept

The FTSX was another Detroit show surprise. A crossover in the mould of the Chrysler Pacifica (or the Lexus HPX concept shown at New York 2003), although more compact and with only four seats.

The FTSX has a package and aesthetic design that are several steps removed from production reality but it explores areas which may transfer to a similar type of production car soon, not least its exterior design form with simple and sheer yet fluid flank surfaces that incline inwards slightly more than the muscular fenders they abut. Other innovative aspects to the design include a depression in the lower area of the door that visually reduces the height of the car. Also, the well resolved meeting of several complex surfaces around and including a very distinctly themed rear light.

Inside, the FTSX has quite simple interior surfaces, lots of light colours and extensive use of cork and modern textures.

A face a little like a Honda is a slight detraction, otherwise there’s a lot to like about the FTSX, in particular what could be the next exterior form language for production Toyotas.

Page 3 of 5