Tag Archives: Design

Audi’s Future Might Be Electric But It Will Still Keep Its Singleframe Front Grille

Audi’s singleframe grille isn’t going anywhere, despite the German automaker venturing into an all-electric future.

As electric vehicles become more commonplace, we are seeing some automakers ditch traditional front grilles in favor of body-colored panels. However, during a recent round table discussion, Audi said that its EVs will feature grilles similar to its ICE models, even though they may be blanked-out in the pursuit of improved aerodynamics.

Front grilles have long been a necessity for cars to ensure their engines and radiators are cooled with fresh air. While grilles aren’t as important for an EV, as there’s no internal combustion engine, they can still serve some purpose as they help give models an identifiable “face”.

Read Also: Audi Opens e-Tron GT Orders And Configurator In The U.S., Gets EPA Range Of 238 Miles

Speaking with Motor Trend, Audi’s design team said the grilles of its EVs will help to distinguish its models from those of its competitors. These grilles will also be featured on the brand’s forthcoming trio of ‘Sphere’ electric vehicle concepts that will also include advanced self-driving systems.

Audi’s singleframe grille was first used by the 2004 A8 and has featured on every Audi since. Compared to many other automotive grilles that are split into upper and lower sections, the singleframe is a single piece stretching from the hood towards the base of the bumper.

The German automaker teased its three ‘Sphere’ concepts earlier this month. They consist of the Sky Sphere, which is a sleek two-door coupe, the Grand Sphere four-door sedan, and the Urban Sphere that takes the shape of a large SUV.

Maserati’s Project Rekall Brings The 1990s Shamal Into The 2020s; Should They Make It?

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Maserati, which is entering an exciting new era with the mid-engined MC20, recently took to social media to share images of a modern-day interpretation of the Shamal.

These designs were shared on the Maserati Fuoriserie account on Instagram and show a vehicle known as ‘Project Rekall.’ The car has some retro vibes, and while it’s unlikely to spawn any kind of production variant, it certainly looks good.

For starters, the overall shape of the original Shamal has been retained, meaning there is the same boxy bodywork with sharp lines and squared surfaces. One of the key changes made is the fitment of new LED headlights and daytime running lights, while the front end also features a more pronounced splitter.

Watch Also: What Does The Maserati MC12’s Designer Think Of The New MC20?

Elsewhere, Maserati’s designers have tweaked the rear end with new LED taillights, a sharper rear lip spoiler and new tailpipes. The car also has a raised roof spoiler and a set of seven-spoke wheels.

The interior of the Project Rekall is largely the same as the original Shamal but does feature some alterations, most notably the inclusion of a (rather retro looking) digital gauge cluster and a set of carbon fiber-backed bucket seats.

Maserati’s Fuoriserie account on Instagram doesn’t just promote the automaker’s Fuoriserie customization program. but also showcases a number of intriguing design studies that won’t reach the production line but demonstrate the diversity of the brand’s designs.

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Images Maserati Fuoriserie

Independent Designer Reinvents The Lancia Stratos As A Modern Supercar

Lancia had so many hits during its 114-year history it’s very hard to pick the most influential car of them all.

Having said that, one obvious candidate is the Lancia Stratos, and for several reasons. First of all, Marcelo Gandini’s wedge-shaped masterpiece was a break with tradition, as it looked like no other Lancia before it and marked the brand’s return to working with Bertone, where Gandini was employed while designing the Stratos.

The Stratos was also the first car unveiled after Fiat took over the company in 1969, proving that the Turin-based giant was serious about making Lancia a pearl of its crown.

Watch Also: The Story Of The Lancia Stratos Has Never Been Told So Beautifully

Last, but not least, the Stratos was a trailblazer for the brand’s unrivaled success in the World Rally Championship and started a new era in motorsport as the first car designed from scratch for rallying. To this day, no other manufacturer has more WRC constructors’ titles than Lancia. Of the 10 titles, the first three were brought by the Stratos.

While the Stratos has a glorious past, it has no present or future as Lancia has been relegated to an Italy-only brand building a single model, the Ypsilon supermini. Sure, we should be thankful for the Ferrari F430-based Stratos built by Manifattura Automobili Torino (MAT), but the retro-styled supercar is an independent effort that has nothing to do with Lancia.

Mind you, there are many Lancia fans who fantasize about a modern-day Stratos and designer Guilherme Araujo is one of them. His vision of a next-gen Stratos is truly spectacular and looks fresh and original even though it clearly pays tribute to the Stratos Zero Concept from 1970 and the Stratos HF rally car that followed a year later.

Combining a dramatic wedge shape with simple graphics, Araujo’s Lancia L Concept Homage is the perfect gift for the Stratos Zero’s 50th anniversary this year. It’s also a sad reminder of what we’re missing out on from today’s Lancia. We have nothing more to add as these renderings speak for themselves.

Note: This is an independent design study from Guilherme Araujo and is in no way related to or endorsed by Lancia or Bertone.

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