Have you ever imagined what the life cycle of a car brand would be if nothing special is added up timely to spice up the show? The ongoing Mondial De L’Automobile Paris 2016 has become the platform to witness the future. Puzzled? We are talking about the concept cars that made the motor show a grand success. Or it will be better to say that these concept cars are the lifeblood of these auto shows, which help in attracting a good number of crowd, among whom hidden are the prospective buyers in future. Concept cars provide an insight to the future and its advanced technology.
Many carmakers showcased their soon to-be-launched vehicles that attracted many viewers but this needs to be admitted that it was their concept cars that played the role of showstoppers at the show. Let’s have a look at the few of the head turners that completely changed the concept of concept cars:
BMW X2
Another compact crossover in talk that holds relevance to the global car market! Customers today are more inclined towards compact SUVs and crossovers and BMW X2 seems to have hit the right nerve. The SUV concept car from the house of BMW is designed give its German counterparts a head to head competition. It will enter into the production phase in the year 2018. The softening of the design language indicates the vehicle to be more organic and flowing and, of course, SEXY is the term to define its look.
Expanding its Sports Activity Coupe range, BMW is planning to bridge the gap between X1 and X3 SUVs. The large kidney grille coupled with big bumper in front and silver-colored lower trim makes the SUV look tougher and more rugged. However the appearance of the X2 concept seems be interesting and alluring, it is highly likely to be based on the UKL2 platform used in X1 and also may carry the cabin layout of X1.
Renault Trezor
This time, Renault made special arrangements for its guests at the Academy Des Beaux Arts by arranging supper for them along with a pair of glasses. So what’s so different in it? Well, the glasses are not the normal one but the Oculus Virtual Reality goggles. And why? Because the French carmaker want them to have a look at the short virtual video of their concept car that marks the start of company’s new design head, Laurens Van Den Acker.
With almost negligible chances of Trezor entering into the production phase, the low slung car with sporty appearance is simply a demo of what a budget carmaker can make, if it wants to. Bingo! So don’t mess with it!
When watched through VR Goggles, the Renault Trezor appears to be an unusual combination of pre-war MG and Star Wars Nubian Royal Starship. According to Van Dan Acker, “It's a statement of beauty, the sort of car I would put on the wall of my bedroom. A more responsible car we will do next year.”
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ
When all other carmakers are showcasing their future vehicles at the Paris Motor Show 2016, why the age old German automaker, Mercedes-Benz, would stay behind? The company took the platform seriously and showcased 3 vehicles so far at the ongoing motor show among which 2 models are the concept cars.
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ is an electric concept SUV that holds a stark similarity to the Volkswagen ID concept unveiled at the same show, in terms of design. The 400bhp SUV will come with a four-wheel drive system and will use an electric motor on each of its axle. The vehicle is expected to enter into production in 2019 and will compete against the Tesla Model X. The car is expected to run a distance of 300 miles with a single charge.
Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6
Now here comes the king! The looks, the appeal, the interior, the concept, the aggressive design and everything from front to rear seem to capture your senses through its mesmerizing spell. Well the more you speak about this beauty, the better are the chances of you falling in love with it. We too are in doubt, from where to start and where to end.
The phantasmagoric car will make you go weak at the knees where the bonnet is longer than a normal bed and wheels stand tall, giving the lavish feel to the vehicle. The ultra stylish luxury car coupe is a homage to the aero coupes of that glorious age and is an effort to carry forward this legacy to future.
Defining the beauty of the Vision Maybach 6, Gorden Wagener, head of Design at Diamler AG, states, “Our glamorous coupé, the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, represents the ultimate in contemporary luxury. It is hot and cool.” He further added, “With its intelligent appeal and reduced, technoid look, it perfectly embodies our design philosophy of sensual purity and our pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency.”
Volkswagen I.D.
Volkswagen claims its ID electric concept car to be the first initiative in this direction, however, Tesla and Mercedes-Benz have already secured the same claim. Well, leaving the confusion aside, let’s focus how Volkswagen ID can play the vital role in bringing a revolution in the automobile world. The four-seater ID will come with a 25kW electric motor and can hit the range of up to 371 miles with a single charge.
Herbert Diess, chief executive of Volkswagen, said, “We want to challenge Tesla, Apple and the others in the electric vehicle market.” He further added that Volkswagen ID will be a true people’s car where the augmented virtual reality will control the functionalities of the vehicle and there will be "no switches, no sticks, just screens."
Lexus UX
The luxury car division of Toyota, Lexus too took the stage with its compact SUV for future. Christened as Lexus UX, the vehicle is based on the “inside-out” design concept and is designed by ED2, the Design Center of Lexus in South of France. It can be taken as the preview of company’s future design philosophy.
Alexandre Gommier, Interior Designer, ED2, commenting on the “inside-out” design concept, said, “The 'inside-out' concept came from a lot of discussions within the team. We wanted to show the human-centric aspect of the concept in a visually as well as philosophically strong way. A strong symbiosis between the exterior and interior was felt to be important by all the designers involved. To create the anticipation from the exterior, which could then have a visual link and expand into the interior, was a key goal.”
The motor show is ending on the 16th of October 2016 and we can expect more surprises from these automakers to take the world by storm. Stay tuned to get more updates!