The shape of vehicles to come: Everybody's looking for the Next Big Thing in automotive design. You'll find hints of what it will be at this year's Detroit show - The Shape of Things to Come - Brief Article

Automotive Industries,  Jan, 2002  by Michelle Krebs

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Auto shows provide a glimpse of the future, from what consumers will find in the showroom in the coming weeks to what they might drive 10 years from now.

At this year's shows, beginning with the North American International Auto Show 2002 in Detroit, trends for the coming year and decade are evident. So too is the role of suppliers in bringing those trends to fruition.

In exterior design, the proliferation of crossover models continues along with introductions of additional SUVs and a larger trend to provide more utility in vehicles. "Even conventional cars are getting higher with higher seating positions, more space for storage and miniaturization of components for more interior space," says Dick Ruzzin, a former General Motors designer who is chairing the Eyes on Design/Detroit awards presented during the NAIAS. "Crossovers go hand-in-hand with the industry's drive to find new kinds of platforms, drivetrains and architectures that designers can take advantage of."

The Eyes on Design/Detroit awards are sponsored by Automotive Industries, carDESIGNnews.com, Michelin, ASC and other automotive-affiliated companies.

For the most part, the crossovers at this year's shows blend aspects of a car -- usually a sedan, station wagon or hatchback -- with the off-road capability and ruggedness of a sport-utility vehicle, notes Brett Patterson, editor for carDESIGNnews.com.

Swedish automakers Saab and Volvo get into the crossover act this year with the introduction of their car-based sport-utility-like vehicles. Saab introduces the 9-3X and the 9X, while Volvo introduces its first sport-utility vehicle, the XC90.

The continued trend toward sharing platforms for cost efficiency moves to higher levels this year. The first major foray into sharing a platform between two competing automakers is on display with the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix crossover vehicles. Both use underbody components shared with the Toyota Corolla.

This year's auto shows promise far wider choice in styles and less evidence of automakers playing copycat they have in the past.

In the 1980s and 1990s, automotive designers tended to flock to "jellybean styling", led by Ford Taurus. They then played with cab-forward design, edgy lines and the militaristic hard-edged style that dominated last year's auto show circuit.

This year, automotive designers see rounded shapes, hard edges and the military look peacefully co-existing.

"An interesting thing occurred in the fashion industry 10 years ago, when skirts didn't need to be a certain length nor ties a certain width," notes Ruzzin. "What's happened with fashion is now happening in the auto industry. All styles are OK. There's no wrong style."

The variety is born of the search for the Next Big Thing. "Current trends include everything from smooth retro, to faceted and edgy design and product-like design," notes Patterson. "While clean, taut geometric forms continue to dominate, there is a resurgence in sculptural elements and detailing."

Meantime, designers will be paying attention to some new vehicle designs that recently hit the market. Among them are the Nissan Altima and the Cadillac CTS.

"Everybody is going to be looking studiously at the Altima," asserts Ruzzin. "It is a recipe for how to do a car well, with incredible details in the headlights and taillights along with beautiful surfaces. Nissan may emerge as something very special in the design world."

The Cadillac CTS, with its love-it-or-hate-it edginess, will be watched to see how it plays with the public because it is the first of a series of vehicles that will employ Cadillac's newly adopted Art & Science design philosophy.

RELATED ARTICLE: SAAB 9-3X

Saab describes its 9-3x concept vehicle as a "crossover coupe." Bearing distinctive Saab styling cues, the 9-3x combines sporty styling with features such as all-wheel-drive for off-road capability. It sports a sweeping, wraparound windshield, compact proportions and smaller wheel openings than traditional off-roaders to disguise the car's "command view" stance. The Swedish automaker hints it could enter a new sub-sport-utility vehicle segment with the 9-3X.

"The Saab 9-3X concept represents a further expression of the sporty, multi-dynamic design philosophy already established by the Saab 9X performance concept at the Frankfurt auto show (also on display in Detroit)," says Saab Automobile's CEO Peter Augustsson. "The 9-3X will also show aspects of the design language you can expect to see in coming products."

VOLVO XC90

Volvo's first sport-utility vehicle, the XC90, is a car-based vehicle with all-wheel drive that combines Volvo styling cues, such as the V-shaped hood and pronounced shoulders, with the stance of a sport utility.

"We wanted the car to look masculine and confident, but not macho," explains Peter Horbury, vice president and chief designer.

The XC90 will come with either a 5-cylinder or 6-cylinder turbocharged engine. In keeping with Volvo's safety image, the XC90, which carries up to seven people, showcases a range of technologies for rollover protection and vehicle compability.