At the auto shows they are the salt in the soup, astonish the visitors and let us dream of a better future for mobility: Studies, which the car industry also presented 2016 again in large numbers. The automotive industry's think tanks are far more creative and visionary than the everyday street scene suggests. Among the many concepts of the past year, some have stood out.
The Zero1 from Faraday Future attracted a lot of attention right at the beginning of the year. With the miracle flounder not only a purely electrically operated hypercar of the future was presented, but also a new car brand, which is to compete in the USA Tesla. A highlight are the 1.000 PS from a total of four engines. In addition, the sports car vision should be able to drive autonomously, as well as offer many online-based usage options and augmented reality functions. Whether action follows the lofty plans, remains to be seen.
Actually, just build BMW needed the 2002 tribute presented in the spring. This does not indicate any grandiose visions of the future, but takes a look back at the legendary hotspot 2002 Turbo, whose shapes still fascinate today. The modern interpretation Hommage conveys much of this fascination despite its modern look. Technically, the modern-day 2002 could easily be used for mass production, because under its metal skin is stuck with the 2er coupe a mass-produced vehicle. Practically, the homage will remain but a dream that is reminiscent of a glorious moment of the car of the past.
The same applies to the Opel GT Concept. Again, it's about a suggestion as a later successor of the once legendary Volks-Corvette could look like. The fans quickly agreed that this could be the case. The technology is also down to earth, because under the long hood of the bonsai car is an 145 PS strong three-cylinder petrol engine, which allows a sprint time in eight seconds and a top speed of 215 km / h. GM would have to give only the green light, but so far Opel has not hinted at a positive decision on a series production.
A coupe of a completely different cut has shown Mercedes in the summer: The super coupe Mercedes-Maybach 6 embodies the absolute opposite of the national athlete Opel GT. Instead, the people of Stuttgart have designed a luxury coupe for the super-rich, whose lavish proportions cause the viewer to breathe. Whether the ever-long front end, the 24 inch wheels or the wing doors - in every fiber of its existence, this car stands out from the odds. That's probably why this Big Benz will remain an unattainable dream. But certain elements of the study should eventually find in mass production of future Mercedes models. Maybe even a few years from now, a Maybach Coupe will come. And perhaps also a purely electrically powered, like the study, which has thanks to the four electric motors on 750 PS and thanks to an 80 kWh battery to come up to 500 kilometers.
Speaking of electrical: 2016 was the year in which the electric drive in studies was almost standard. Such as the Vision Van Mercedes, which despite its futuristic shell in many points as a realistic design for a pickup of the future recommends. This Sprinter vision is not only emission-free, it also finds the way to the next parcel receiver by itself. Meanwhile, the driver is allowed to prepare for delivery. For the messenger does not even have to get off, because the package can be transferred by drone.
Also autonomous and electric on the road is a study presented by Mini in summer 2016 named Next 100. Thanks to its electric drive and autonomous driving technology, the visually very visionary concept offers completely new degrees of freedom with regard to interior design. Despite a compact body, the passenger compartment is spacious, among other things, because it was possible to do without safety-relevant aspects such as airbags or crumple zones. The Next-100-Mini simply does not build accidents. It can be so easy.
Traffic accidents and their consequences are one of the great scourges of our highly mobile world. A study by the Australian Road Safety Authority has therefore designed a survivor inmate. No, this study is not a car but a human. And one of extremely robust design. Graham is the name of the freak who, with a lot of fat on his face and a helmet-like skull, can hit a steering wheel with full force without causing any major damage. The question of a production version may be superfluous in this case, but who knows what strange flowers evolution is able to produce over long periods of time.
Also not a car and also thick and round is a tire study by Goodyear named Eagle-360. The tire of the future is a black ball with a profile that could be strapped under electric cars in the future. Something that sounds like science fiction spinning à la "I, Robot" is quite serious. The ball tire should namely even inside a drive motor accommodate. Similar to hub motors could then be dispensed with the actual engine, which could open up completely new possibilities in the body design. However, according to Goodyear, not before 2030.
These tires could look good on a study by Renault in the autumn at the Paris Motor Show of a futuristic looking electric sports car called Trezor. With plenty of power, these flounder can travel quite fast and even up to 300 kilometers. On request also autonomous. The Trezor impresses above all with its proportions, because the 4,70 meter long two-seater builds only one meter high. And he has no doors, instead, the whole passenger compartment opens up. Thanks in part to these solutions, the drag coefficient is 0,22. Sounds more than exciting, but remains a unique piece.
Carved from quite different wood is the Toyota study Setsuna, which drove up to the Milan Furniture Fair Design Week in April. For example, cedar wood was used for the outer lining of the boat-like roadster, while the frame is made of birch. The setsuna was assembled by a traditional Japanese carpentry, which does not use nails or screws. The drive is provided by an unspecified electric motor. Silent, emission-free driving through healthy forests in a car tucked like a fine piece of furniture - could not that be wonderful ?! In any case, 2016 has produced many studies that point the way in the right direction. (Mario Hommen / SP-X)