Photos courtesy of Motoringfile.
Transition. A term frequently used in reference to design. As in, “How will this transition to the final?”
Many things are lost and gained as designers go from a concept rendering to a final production model. And it’s important to keep this in mind. Hard though, because our perspective constantly shifts. Initial emotion is instigated as you see the photos for the first time, evoking a ‘gut reaction.’ This results in things like “WHOA!’ “YIKES!” “BLEAH…” or “HMmmm.”
I put these two images right next to each other so that you could see the actual before and after, but understand that changes are imminent. A rendering does not fit people into it, nor conform to a budget. The vehicle on the right,… does. Now, there ARE things that work well and things that don’t. Let’s get into what doesn’t work first…
The thing about doing a concept is that this is done to show the public what you’re thinking of doing. Not, what you ARE going to do. So, the elements that make the rendering so cool are the subtle ones. Wheel size, front light and grille treatments (Final looks like a Carp). Squat window height. These are all elements that DID NOT make it to the final, giving the car a less aggressive feel, making it more “unrefined.” No designer would want to hear that, especially since they’ve been working on this probably for the last 3 years. But things like wheel size is a no brainer, and someone should have caught this one. 22’s on the concept, 18’s on the final. Not a big deal, but worth it to maintain flavor.
But, as I mentioned… let’s keep perspective. Kind of like the fact that life is a tree. Depending on where you’re sitting, your view will only give you so much. If you’re dying of thirst, sitting at the bottom of the tree, then you’re not going to be able to see the pond that’s 200 yards away. So, make the effort to climb up and shift your perspective so that you can get a better view to judge. That being said…
What works. They call this THE CONCEPT. As in, an idea. It needs to be judged as such. Here are some ideas. Good/bad doesn’t matter. What matters is that they took chances.
What if we made the mirrors a different color? What if MINI made an SUV? What if we had funky doors? What if the center pod on the inside was a lit globe? (Go to Motoringfile to see all the photos.) Over a 3-4 year period, a lot is discussed and done to question whether these ideas are sound or not. Point is, MINI thinks forward and I respect that. They think “unusual,” …and we ALL respect that. And despite the “Carp Mouthed” front on the final, this is like a said… A Concept. They did this to see what YOU think. And if enough people like it or don’t like it, will determine it’s destiny.
I say build it. I say build it with the concerns I’ve expressed above. Who am I? No one really… Just your customer, like everyone else. I know what I don’t like, but have no idea what I like until I see it. The emotion that this conveys to me? Interesting IDEA. Is that what you’re looking for? Would I want to BUY it? I’ll keep an eye on the showrooms and see if you take me seriously or not.
Oh, and btw…
Every now and then, I try to share something I come across that helps to improve us all. We love cars and movies, but it’s important to take care of ourselves so that our passion stays firm! The better we “think,” the better we’ll feel.
Here’s a link to some FREE things I found that hopefully, you guys will like. Really great stuff as it works from the inside,… kind of like our cars.
Be your best!!
http://tinyurl.com/fireballed
I’ve seen cool cars before, but this is right up there… Talk about creating a fish out of water. This is from inspired thought…
“Joe Harmon, a graduate student at NC State, took on a very ambitious graduate project: building a high-performance, mid-engine super car from wood. “Splinter” could top 240 mph when completed later this year, and wood will be used in its construction wherever possible, including…” MORE HERE.
Off to San Francisco we went on Thursday. 7 hours up from LA. And all the while, I got the sense that cars were following me. Not on the freeway, mind you, but everywhere I showed up,… cool cars appeared.
We stopped for some joe in Pismo Beach. Great place called “The Honeymoon Cafe,” right on the strip. Extremely well themed place and great coffee. A must see. Then, back on the freeway where cool cars emerged again. Jaguars, Lotus, all kinds. Within a few hours, I was at CLUB SPORTIVA for a cool talk about Exotics. A blast meeting everyone and talking about design philosophies. My doggies, Bug and Sammy liked the Ferrari F430, paws down.
Then, off we went to Napa for some wine tasting… IN A BENTLEY! (Courtesy of Club Sportiva, of course!) We got to taste cool vino and drive a ridiculously cool car there. But before we hit the wineries, we snagged some lunch in downtown Napa… WHERE THERE JUST HAPPENED TO BE A CAR SHOW, DOH!! So, all the while chowing, we got to check out MORE cool cars. And the desserts at the restaurant, (Tuscany) were pretty dang yummy, too. (That’s my son’s girlfriend, Isla, about to take a bite of her CHOCOLATE CUP!
After lunch, we headed to Kathie’s favorite winery BV, 20 minutes north of Napa. Merlot is her drink of drinks, so everyone (but me!) did the tasting. I just drove the Bentley… poor me. SICK!!!
The next morning, before returning the BIG BEAST back to Club Sportiva, we hit Fort Point for some coffee again and… A 140 SMART CARS SHOWED UP!!! YIKES!!! And boy, did they get in trouble for not having a “I’M GOING TO GO SEE THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IN MY SMARTCAR PERMIT.”
1. Go to San Fran, ’cause it’s beautiful. Or anywhere beautiful.
2. Go in a cool car, ’cause life is short.
3. Drink good coffee, taste some good wine,… unless you’re the designated Jeeves.
4. Enjoy yourself. Life is too short to waste time not doing what you love.
…And don’t give me any of that “I can’t afford to do this kind of stuff” nonsense. You CAN’T AFFORD NOT TO. There is ALWAYS a way. My whole trip? About $1000. It took me about 4 months to save that in a coffee can once…
“Whatever the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve.” …Napoleon Hill
Flywheel! Winner for last week’s FERRARI AUTODISSECTION Contest.
For his cool sounding “Golden Coast Supercars LTD.” I’m assuming you live on a Golden Coast, no?
But, WHAT’S THIS ABOVE? Yes, as always, we’re coming up with new things. And starting next week, something super cool is coming. If you can guess, good on ya, but stay tuned for Monday Night Shananagans…. Auto Dissection will have to wait for this one, ’cause it’s got a cool factor 10. Check out DB HERE!
Congrads, Flywheel. Your prize is on the way. Shoot my address again, will ya?
Nice. So, the response to last week’s AD was excellent. But, before we get to this week’s Dissection, the WINNING NAME goes to Stephanie Holden’s “INDIAN SUMMER.” Although MINIbee’s “Aztec Fire” was an excellent name as well. Congrats, Stephanie! You’ll be contacted for you prize!
Everyone’s entry was great, but a name has to really evoke an emotion which is why car companies spend a great deal of time and money doing it. And some, even after all that, come out lame. So take your time and THINK.
ONWARD! This week’s contest goes like this for the above prize. (2) 1/43rd scale gems found in Geneva. A Mini Cabriolet and a Smart4Four. Question…?
If you had your own EXOTIC CAR COMPANY, 1) What would it be called. 2) Where would it be located? 3) What one word would evoke your design philosophy? Rememeber, don’t just haul off and answer this one. Be CREATIVE!
Now, the FERRARI CALIFORNIA.
I will keep this week’s AD short, as I’m still dealing with a broken hand. (Had a fight with a fridge and lost!)
This elegante piece of machinery is one of the most controversial Ferraris in years. And although there are many elements to it that say Ferrari, there are several that don’t. Design cues shared by the Honda S2000 for example. But as a car company, the challenge is to maintain brand recognition AND move outside the box. And this gem does exactly that. The cues I like include the side scalloping, unique overall proportion, peaked roof and big brother recessed tail lights.
A clean design,… that is a bit anti-ferrari. Almost as if it were some other company trying their take at designing one of these beasts. Although safely…
I always like to see the same car in a metallic and solid. The light plays differently. And surface changes say a lot. The red front 3/4 looks as if a couch has been set into the body with the way the hip curls up. (Although, I don’t much care for the simple unresolved front end treatment.) Like the original, but too safe.
Edgy in some ways, too simple in others, the FERRARI CALIFORNIA succeeds in bringing back a legend …safely. I like it…. kinda.
If there’s a Dissection you’d like to see, email info@fireballed.com!
And here’s your treat for reading the full Dissection! 007!!!!!!!
Interesting weekend. July 4th ended with a bang.
Unfortunately, the bang resulted in breaking my hand. Literally. You shoulda seen the fireworks, but that will be another post.
Due to the pain in my hand, I’m extending this week’s Clubman name contest to Friday. I will announce the winner along with doing another Dissection. KEEP THE NAMES COMING!
OUCH!
The MINI CLUBMAN. The other MINI. MINI to the 1oth power. MINI with room for more stuff.
Well, before we get into this week’s Dissection, our GIVEAWAY goes like this…
See this lil’ 64th scale TOMY Cooper? Super hard to find and I found this in Switzerland. It’s yours. IF, you can give the Clubman at the top an appropriate NAME. Post your suggestion and the winner will be revealed this Monday. PLUS, they’ll get an extra Fireballed surprise! But, you have to post your comment only at the home blog HERE. This Dissection gets posted in 30 different places!!!
Ok, the CLUBMAN…. Since I’m into to MINIs, you’d think this was a given. So, I should like the CLUBMAN. Well then, you’d be wrong…
I don’t like the CLUBMAN… I adore the CLUBMAN. It’s all the things that MINI is, plus a wee tad more. Actually, a lot more. There were many ways to do this car, but the designers chose to take the road of uniqueness. 5 doors, placed in a unique formation. Two front, one extra on the passenger side, and two suicide style in the rear. When I went to see the boys at MINIUSA at the LA Auto Show, Prez Jim McDowell did a great job at expressing how fun the rear doors were to open. “I could do this all day,” he said.
But all the reasons that MINIS are fun to drive, beautiful to look at, ways to modify and personalize, there’s one one reason to have this car. Because it’s different. And while other cars are suffereing during the gas hike, the MINIS are flourishing.
The tagline for this car should be, “GET ONE, AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.” ‘Cause things do… This is not a commercial, but this is my honest opinion of a successful design enhanced to broaden it’s appeal. Much like a movie, this could have gone wrong in a thousand different ways.
But, as cool as it is, it’s not perfect. It has flaws and many of you who have bought this car agree that there are slightly subtle things that come to mind. But, even with those flaws, they are personal choices. Example: The center cluster is big enough for the people 2 cars behind you to see how fast you’re going. But, none of these issues are quality relate. The car is just solid, like a MINI should be. And with 7 sextillion options to go along with it, it will take you 12 years to put your car together (slight exaggeration).
If you’re weird, different, unique, inspired, funny looking or just plain nuts, then this is the car for you. And if you want to see a whole host of them in one place, then come to the Rose Bowl on August 1-3. MINI TAKES THE STATES will be in LA. And so will EVERY MINI west of Texas. Come by and say “hi.”
Design Enhanced. That’s the new CLUBMAN. Check out the R60 SUV coming, too! AN SUV!!!??? Well yea, duh. You gotta have something to pull your MINI outta the mud at the race track….
I’d call the MINI Design Language “Fun Surfacing.” As in, the elements that make up the components of the car are round, bulbous and funny looking. All adding up to one hellava good time. Just be careful how you park it….
Okay, here it is because YOU asked for it. “BLOGDISSECTION.™” Like my show on MyRide, “Auto Dissection,” only… it’s on my blog, duh. And since it’s the first one, I’ll call it… #oo1. Isn’t it neat how I thought that up? I’m just kinda deep that way.
Whatever… Here we go.
The CAMARO is here. …Almost.
A very long time in the making, …and there’s a huge list in Santa’s lap for this one. So why? Nostalgia? History? Power? Design? Well, …all actually.
But, since design is my thing, and this is “BLOGDISSECTION™,” that’s what we’ll discuss.
I’ve chosen silver to look at, mostly because the form is easier to read. And that’s what car companies do for the first few passes. No glitzy colors, but straight forward design. And this car rocks in many ways.
I’ve seen the Challenger and Camaro both up close. The Challenger is beefy, muscled and aggressive. But the Camaro is like a 50 yard sprinter with a six pack, groomed for the red sharp launch. Lean, ectomorphed and ready for serious power sprints.
The design captures all the nostalgia of the original passion, but it is now sculpted as if carved from Michelangelo’s magnetic fingers. If you were to take the wheels off and fill in the space, a beauty of a speed form it would be. Camaro fanatics will rock this car hard, and get in serious trouble with the cops. I anticipate a girth of tickets flowing through the system, funding all sorts of neat things.;(
There’s an interesting “pinched” element along the beltline that gives the impression of a lean waist. I dig that. A hip that diverts into the waist, then egresses up to the shoulder in front. Looks as if it’s been chopped and channeled. That’s the language. I’d call it “Pinched Surfacing.” Bitchin.’
The greenhouse is also lean. Tight, small glass gives a cocooned feel, or cockpitted. “Enter this space and we’ll launch,” it says. But be ready…
Tail lights are robotic. Following this beast is intimidating. But, my MINI would take him…;-) A three door wagon is a push. Interesting, but it may fall the wayside of the Magnum. Although, at 2 side doors, the lean waist still works.
As an overall design (I don’t know the initial conceptualist), this is a very successful approach. Although, coming to the table a bit late, it should do very well. So, where is it??
Ok, who wants a baby beemer? I DO!
