Car designers always want to be pushing the boundaries of what is possible with a road-going vehicle and motor shows are the perfect places to do that.
The 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show was no different and car manufacturers brought out their best designs to impress the crowds and give them a taste of the future.
Audi Aicon
As well as the future of motoring being electric, there is also a lot of investment into driverless technology and the Aicon does away with the need for a driver all together! It has no steering wheel and no pedals, and has four seats for you to relax in comfort. With an all-glass roof, 26-inch wheels and a screen on the dashboard so you can watch TV, it is more of a moving lounge than a car. But it can’t be denied how cool it looks, especially with that streamlined design, and with all-electric power it’s good for the environment too.
Honda Urban EV
Retro design is something that always has a place in a car enthusiast’s heart, and with the Honda Urban EV there is plenty of that to take in. With the boxy shape and squared-off front end, it looks quite adorable, and the multi-spoke wheels are a masterpiece. Inside, it has a lovely layout with benches replacing the regular seats and a very simple dash design. Whether that is to everyone’s taste is to be seen, but it is something different, interesting and really cool. There will be a production version of this in 2019 too, but don’t expect to it to look quite as funky as this excellent all-electric city car.
Kia Proceed Concept
Recently Kia has been producing some very handsome cars, and its concepts are following that trend. This excellent Proceed Concept has a shooting brake body style and a lovely roof line. Decked out in ‘Lava Red’ this is a great-looking car and takes the front end from the upcoming Stinger sports car. Kia’s chief designer said: “The Proceed Concept represents a bold new vision of how the vibrant soul of the Proceed could be reincarnated and revitalised for a new generation of performance-oriented drivers.”
Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept
If you thought the Mini Hatch was a bit too cute, then maybe you should take a look at this beast. Called the John Cooper Works GP Concept, it is a much meaner, track-oriented machine that is designed by Mini’s very own racing division. Inspired by the original Mini racing car that won the Monte Carlo Rally 50 years ago, this model is built for the track. The angular bodywork detailing and dark exterior paint job make this a very tasty prospect, while the Union Jack brake lights are superb.
Renault Symbioz
We said earlier that the Audi Aicon looks like a lounge on wheels – well that is exactly what Renault was after with its Symbioz concept. This isn’t just a car, it’s a whole house and the car can be used as a living space when it isn’t out on the road. Renault also said that it can be used as a generator if there is a power cut to the house. Although there is a steering wheel and pedals, you can turn the front seats around and let the car drive itself while you enjoy the journey. It’s an interesting design, that’s for sure.
