Section: Design
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 13th, 2008 12:30 PM
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What do you get when you mix the style and personality of a French icon, with the spirit and muscle of an American hot rod? If you’re Jeff Meyer of Windsor, California you get this ridiculously cool, slammed 1966 Citroen ID19 Pro Touring car.
The car is a Citroen by appearance only at this point, having been almost completely modified from stock under the skin. The biggest change was the replacement of the Maserati-sourced four-cylinder engine with a slightly brawnier LS1 V-8. The General Motors powerplant has been gently tuned to make around 400 horsepower and hooked up to a sturdier GM automatic transmission as well. That also means that the former front-driver is now powered by the rear wheels and sports a rather large transmission tunnel where none used to be.
While Gallic purists will certainly take issue with the mechanical retrofit, it’s harder to argue with the finished product, which is meaner and more sporting than Citroen had ever intended. Likewise the Teal Tease paint may not be right for everyone, but we think the color is at least well-suited to the boldness of the hot rod. Take a closer look at the ’66 Citroen in our gallery below and then tell us how the car strikes you, in comments.
+ Hot Rod: Jeff Meyer’s Pro Touring 1966 Citron ID19
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 13th, 2008 11:00 AM
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Die-cast model makers Minichamps appear to be working on some kind of infant sports car project, as these unbearably cute images have surfaced with the toymaker’s logo affixed. Sure to be a hit with the tween and girlfriend set, (you remember the Muppet Babies phenomenon right?) we’re going to speculate that the new toy cars have bubble-like wheels, and over-sized headlights that look a lot like puppy dog eyes. Enjoy the cute logo gallery below.
+ Jalopnik: Awwww, Brand Logos When They Were Babies
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 2nd, 2008 11:00 AM
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Based in San Francisco, Ponoko is a company that enables anyone from a hobbyist to a professional to create, build, and sell an original design.
Ponoko’s online store offers customers the chance to buy these totally unique items and it was there that we stumbled across these simply hip Mira key rings. Created using a 2 x 4 centimeter block of clear acrylic, the key rings are designed with the names of the creator’s friends etched in them.
While we like the idea of keeping track of different sets of keys based solely on a group of strangers, Mira tells us that we can have whatever we want written on the rings. “CAR” or “HOUSE” might be natural choices, though something along the lines of “BLISTERING” might not go amiss for the Evo X or 911 owner. At $5 per you can hardly go wrong.
+ Ponoko
If you’ve got an idea for Question of the Day, a funny photo for Caption It, or just want to share a news tip, let us know at windingroadtips@gmail.com
Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 2nd, 2008 10:00 AM
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Seat’s new design, under the leadership of former Lamborghini stylist Luc Donkerwolke, is planning an interesting visual approach with its new models according to the latest print version of Autocar magazine.
Donkerwolke isn’t interested in creating a “family” of cars connected with styling that rests largely on grille and headlight design. Starting with the new Ibiza, Seat will attempt to connect its car visually with “striking lines on the car’s flanks.”
While it’s unclear is the average customer will be able to see the brand connection in styling elements that don’t include a vehicle’s “face,” we’re awfully interested in seeing the early results of the new philosophy.
(Peek into Seat’s new styling with the Bocanegra concept from Geneva below.)
+ Autocar
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
May 1st, 2008 9:40 AM
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Massimo Vignelli designed a diagram of the New York City subway system in 1972 that has been almost universally recognized as a classic and beautiful piece of civic design. Using simplified train paths running in only 45- and 90-degree angles, vibrant colors, and Helvetica type, the NYC map became the a trend setter for urban planners worldwide.
Now Vignelli has redesigned his seminal work, taking into account three-decade’s worth of change around the Big Apple. Fans of design, public transportation, or those who just really heart NYC, can celebrate the new map as well, with a limited edition 36” x 45” version that’s suitable for display. The maps run $500 but are going to be limited to only 500 copies, and are signed by the designer himself.
Check out the redesign of the subway map below the jump (that’s the original up top) and let us know which you prefer, in comments.
+ Uncrate: New York City Subway Diagram 2008
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 24th, 2008 1:00 PM
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A strange yet nearly practical idea from designer Hanyoung Lee, this virtual wall could spell the way forward for increased pedestrian safety in large urban centers.
The virtual barrier is created using a plasma laser that, while not strong enough to damage humans or vehicles, provides a stunningly powerful visual effect that would seem to effectively communicate where vehicles should stop before crosswalks. The wall would clearly indicate to cars when and where to stop by projecting the laser “walkers” exactly where the crosswalk begins, making it easier for cars to see than the current system of stripes painted on the pavement (though we’d guess it to be abjectly more expensive as well).
Making the whole operation more plausible is the idea that the same laser walls could be used to project advertisements while commuters wait. Check out some renderings of the concept in our gallery below.
+ Concept Trends: The future of traffic lights
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 23rd, 2008 1:00 PM
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The new Jaguar XF, a gift from Ford to the luxury carmaker’s next owner, finally cracks the code of a suitable style for future cars from the leaping cat. We take an inside look at Jaguar’s past and present design techniques.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 19th, 2008 12:00 PM
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Buick is making good on a promise it made at the New York Auto Show, unveiling details and renderings today for the Invicta concept car ahead of its unveiling in Beijing.
Invicta, Latin for “Invincible,” is said to draw its inspiration from the recent Buick Riviera and Velite concepts, as well as the rich Riviera history of design. The concept’s power meanwhile is courtesy a turbocharged direct-injection four making 250 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque, and hooked up to a six-speed automatic.
Look for something along the lines of Invicta to show up as the next generation LaCrosse sometime around 2010. Until then, have a browse in our Invicta concept gallery below or check out the Buick press release below the fold.
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 16th, 2008 10:00 AM
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Electric sports car builder Tesla Motors is suing designer Henrik Fisker (pictured) and Bernhard Koehler of Fisker Coachbuild, for fraud, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract.
Tesla hired Fisker, who had worked for the likes of BMW and Aston Martin, during 2007 to work on the interior and body styling of its upcoming electric sedan called WhiteStar. The company is making the claim that despite paying Fisker almost $800,000 for the work, the designer purposely held back his best efforts, and helped to push back the launch date of the WhiteStar by six-months to 2010.
(Have a look at the offending piece of evidence, the Fisker Karma, in our gallery below or click through the jump to read on.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 15th, 2008 4:00 PM
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Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has found a novel way to introduce itself to the residents of its newest location, Kobe, Japan.
IKEA has taken over the Kobe Portliner Monorail; creating a kind of involuntary moving showroom for those commuting to Port Island, the home of the retailer’s newest store. The train has been enlivened with brightly printed fabrics covering the seats, and curtains hanging on the once bare windows. IKEA made sure that even those down on the streets would get the message of the new store, by covering the train’s exterior in a livery reminiscent of more IKEA products.
Check out some images of the train, inside and out, in our gallery below.
+ Pink Tentacle: IKEA decks out Kobe train
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 3rd, 2008 3:00 PM
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Volvo is looking to give its Swedish customers a variety of new options for the appearance of their C30’s. The automaker is offering up a variety of nonpermanent adhesive “skins,” which offer a radical character shift without the hassle and expense of actually painting it.
These skins are printed on a film that seems to cover the C30 quite completely, but are said to be totally safe for the paint underneath, and to last up to two years. We’re not sure if the examples shown here represent a comprehensive listing of the available patterns and colors, but they do represent a set of styling choices that would seem to require aesthetically brave owners. The pink camo-style cover seems particularly heinous.
Volvo is asking the equivalent of around three grand for the fancy wrappers, which would seem to be enough to get your car painted for real. Though with designs like these, the ability to peel off your mistakes will probably come in handy.
+ Autoblog: Change your C30’s character with official swappable designs
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
April 3rd, 2008 11:00 AM
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Porsche Design has unveiled a new selection of unbearably hip items with its summer White Collection.
In the best Teutonic fashion Porsche Design has married a clean all-white finish with technical touches of aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. The collection contains a whitewashed version of Porsche’s sleek mobile phone, a zippered jacket, the Shakepen (activated with a shake of the wrist), and a perfectly beautiful lighter.
The White Collection is said to go on sale next month, and though no pricing information for the frosty items has yet been announced, it wouldn’t be terribly fashionable for anything branded “Porsche” to be cheap.
+ Josh Spear: The Porsche Design White Collection
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