Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What? No 'Suicide' Doors?

MKS Series 2—Shades of the Rear Wheel Drive LS

This is my take on a second series of Lincoln MKS, the "standard bearer" for the Lincoln lineup. My Series 2 would be rear-wheel drive, with optional all-wheel drive. An EcoBoost V6 and a Hybrid model, both with approximately 300 hp would be standard; a 400 hp performance petrol engine would be optional. In Europe, a TurboDiesel in two states of tune would be optional. Coupe and Wagon models would also be available. 

This car would be the big brother to a brand-new MKZ, and the little brother to the brand-new MKL, a true Town Car replacement. At the very top of this renovated lineup will sit a limited-edition Continental Coupe.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Buick Regal Wagon?

Once again, rumors abound that the recently introduced Buick Regal will add a wagon version before too long. In Europe, where this car is sold as the Opel Insignia. I chopped this sinister looking Regal GS Sportwagon last year, before the domestic-market Regal was introduced, but was just reminded of it while I read this Autoblog post.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

VW Polo Sport Coupe—Giugiaro Scirocco Reborn?

VW's little Polo series isn't sold in the USA, but might be one day. I've taken the GTI 4-seat hatchback and recreated it in the mold of the original Scirocco of 1975, designed by the maestro, Giorgetto Giugiaro. For my Polo Sport Coupe, I've reduced seating to just two, and given the rear a large luggage area. With a hybrid or plug-in drivetrain, this little VW could compete with Honda's CRZ. The rocker panel retro striping/lettering would be optional, but oh so cool, lol! I started this chop last year, but decided to finally finish it last night.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Here They Are: ATS, GTC and GW for 2012

The next issue of Automobile is on the newsstands now, so I can now post the three renderings I did for their June edition. My take on the new-for-2012, entry-level, rear-wheel drive Cadillac ATS sport sedan. I was given some spy shots to work from, so I'm fairly confident the "bones" of this car are very close to what GM will be introducing next year. It seems to be a bit "rounder" than the all-angles CTS. Perhaps GM is softening Cadillac's Art and Science design language just a bit. All three images enlarge nicely.

This is the next generation Bentley Continental GTC, or cabriolet. I used the brand new GT coupe as the base, and fashioned an interior, top boot and trunklid similar to the current GTC for continuity. I kept the original press photo's cool background for this rendering.

My Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a slightly larger 3-row version of the new Grand Cherokee. I was told that this larger Jeep would be competing with the Cadillac Escalade so I made it a bit bolder and "blingier" than the Cherokee. I lengthened the rear doors as well as the rear overhang, for a luxurious look and ride for 7 passengers. The chrome, cursive "Grnad Wagoneer" nameplate on the front door is the same as used on the classic Wagoneers of the '80s and early '90s.  

For the ATS and Jeep renderings, I was asked to keep the background plain, for the best layout possibilities, and I also furnished them with "clipping paths" which is the way the background can be totally dropped out for cleaner layouts.

This was a really fun project—fast and furious, really, lol. I had about 2-3 days for each photoshopped rendering. I work best with hard and fast deadlines though, so it was all good, and, once again, I thank Eric Tingwall, Automobile's Associate Editor, for this opportunity