Volkswagen Ragster concept

The Ragster is a concept car preview of a facelift for the Beetle. Its windscreen has been chopped by 90mm and it has a much lower, faster roof line that massively changes the attitude of the car; out goes the feminine cartoon playfulness, in comes a 'street' sense of purpose. The roof is canvas and slides back between two separate roof rails from a strongly rounded leading edge adjacent to the windscreen header, and the tyres have a GTi flavoured red pinstripe. Inside the driver’s brown leather bucket seat has intriguing white stitching and a rear view mirror is mounted on the IP.

But few of these features will be part of the revised production Beetle. It is the re-profiled fenders with less blown volumes and new creases defining the wheel arches, and similarly more tightly defined bumper surfaces with smaller neater indicators and different apertures front and rear. New mirrors, reworked lamps, a more commodious centre console and possibly this concept’s sporty steering wheel will also be on the face lifted Beetle.

A simple and fun production preview concept, but the flat topped more masculine design identity of the Ragster if produced would also usefully broaden the Beetle’s appeal.

GM Sequel concept

The Sequel is a showcase for GM’s fuel cell technology developments. Although still a step away from production, this concept car is a good indication of the type of vehicle that will probably first use this technology; it is a mid size SUV whose relatively high body sits atop of the fuel cell powertrain and whose upper market price point would have to bear a relatively small percentage increase to reflect the greater cost of this new technology.

Branded GM, unlike any production car produced by General Motors, the Sequel cleverly avoids any Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, or GMC design cues. The core theme of the design is the shallow DLO that kinks up at the C-pillar and is elegantly echoed in a feature line that drops down the D-pillar and runs through the flanks before dropping down to leave a distinctive front door shut line. The graphical integration of several air inlet apertures with the front and rear lamps is another of the car’s strongest design themes.

Poorly displayed for the press days, being adjacent to the exceptional GMC Graphyte and serving mostly as a technology showcase, the Sequel is none-the-less a handsome and innovative design in its own right.

Ford Explorer Sport Trac concept

The SUT (Sports Utility Truck) was invented by the first generation Explorer Sport Trac in 2001 – a short pick-up bed replacing the estate car rear of the then new Explorer. This show car version of a new second generation SUT from Ford plays on its slightly 'bling' status with 21inch wheels, 'slammed ride' and fashionable colour and trim; white exterior, muted metals, subtle dark greys, and minimal brightwork or use of colour.

The Explorer Trac is significant in several ways: as a prelude to a near identical production car; in the way that the world’s largest OEM is clearly taking a lead from after-market driven trends; and because the SUT is the hottest new type of vehicle in the North American market. The Explorer Trac is also a very tidily executed and attractive design whose theme of cabin floating on running board, between rear flat-bed and front engine area is very successful.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Eclipse is an all new production car that builds on the design of its predecessor whilst also moving forwards with an even more sporting design identity.

Following the theme shown last year with the Eclipse Concept-E, the Eclipse ditches the unique, horizontal side strakes of its predecessor and places emphasises on its even more cab-forward stance for a particularly dynamic feel. Its DLO is mid-way between last year’s concept and production car in the extent to which it dives forward. This DLO also arches back parallel to its classically Eclipse domed roof which runs into a TT style rear hatch distinguished only by the soft concave surfacing around the base of the C-pillar.

A lot of plan shape and wrap around lamps visually reduce the overhangs, and prominent side sills reduce the apparent height, which together give a compact feel that works with the dynamic cab-forward stance and more aggressive face to give a very sporty feel to the car.

The exterior is complemented by an interior design identity only slightly less unique and sporty than the exterior, to make the Eclipse an impressively consistent, unique and attractive proposition.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Concept-E – Detroit 2004

Mercedes M Class

The new M-class is an evolutionary development of its first generation predecessor, much as would be expected of the brand. The new more dynamic Mercedes-Benz design language is evident particularly in the diving hood line and profile of the car, as is the brand’s slightly more busy detailing; several short creases that quickly fade around the front and rear, and a cooling slat in the front bumper that looks like an afterthought.

Some of the most interesting aspects of the design are how the sharp creases that define the surfaces around the wheel arches, sills and rearmost part of the shoulder mix with more typical recent Mercedes softer surfacing. Also the way that the broad flat wheel arch surfaces twist into the car away from the wheel progressively more further towards the car’s extremities.

Inside the M-class has materials in a different league from its predecessor and some novel design elements such as prominent centre console grab handle / armrests mirrored in the door casing.

A handsome second generation design with few big surprises. Despite being in a more crowded market than its predecessor at launch in 1997, the new M-class should continue its success.

Toyota Avalon

The Toyota Avalon sits above the Camry as the brand’s largest North American market sedan and matches the Lexus LS400 in size if not price.

The design is very conservative with only a body side section not-dissimilar to the European designed Avensis distinguishing an otherwise anonymous exterior design theme that fails to disguise very long overhangs – 180mm longer than on the same length BMW 7 series. The lack of plan shape, slight shoulder, poor wheel to body side relationship and generally poor stance combine with these ungainly overhangs give the Avalon a design identity poles apart from the confident designs of the leading European cars of this size.

The interior design is congruent with the conservative exterior and notable only for its Cadillac-inspired metal look centre console cover around the gear selector.

Not everyone wants flamboyant, distinctive design; there is a place for a quieter more reserved aesthetic. But the Avalon seems to miss even this. It is, simply, unattractive.

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