MALLINation

Here’s the follow-up to the predictably titled Part One of our Geneva Motor show design round-up.

Ford Iosis Max

Ford Iosis Max

Ford of Europe previewed their upcoming new Focus (which is finally coming the the United States) with the Iosis Max. The radical detailing and funky shape are in keeping with Ford of Europe’s forward thinking design ethos. It’s highly unlikely that the glass-bubble hatch, pillarless side glass, and t-shaped integrated roof spoiler will make production but the basic look and shape are likely to.

Ford Iosis Max

The arc of the A-pillars stretch clear to the front of the wheelarches giving vanlike space inside a car roughly the size of a Volkswagen Golf. The face is an evolution of Ford’s current continental look with an even more aggressive grille and stylized headlamps.

Aston Martin Lagonda

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

There was strong interest in Geneva when word got out that Aston Martin would be testing the waters for a revival of their luxury Lagonda nameplate. The assumption was that they would go for a Rolls-Royce challenging luxury sedan as past Lagondas have been along those lines.

The double-takes as a Lamborghini LM002 like crossover SUV-esque sedan with a trunk rolled out were conspicuous. The contrast with Astons drop-dead gorgeous coupes didn’t help. Still, the heavy, slabby design is better looking than BMW’s fevered attempts to locate a niche between sports sedans and trucks.

Aston Martin Lagonda Concept

The gunslit backlight and strong shoulderlines make for an arresting simple design, even if beauty is the last thing you could describe it as. In it’s brutal simplicity it is in some ways similar to Rolls-Royces flagship Phantom sedan.

BMW 5 Series GT

BMW 5 Series GT

Did I say ugly BMW? Here’s another attempt for them to find daylight between models where none exists, exhibit A of which is the hideous turtle-like BMW X6 which is available as we speak at BMW dealers who would love to put you in one (please). The 5 Series GT, billed as a concept, is a better-looking but still awkward stab at the same target.

There are some nice touches – the bone structure running through the upper beltline with scoops for the door handles and the sculpting around the wheel openings is subtle but the roofline is still a grafted on hatchback. When it goes into production will nayone want one?

Edag Open Source

Edag Open Source

One of the coolest concepts at Geneva came from parts-supplier Edag, who envision an “open-source” car that allows users to configure and customize apps like an iPhone. The glossy black look and tactile surfacing makes the connection with Apple’s design language explicit. The rear end functions as a graphic display for the driver’s around it, warning of road work and conditions ahead.

Giugiaro Fraser Nash Namir

Giugiaro Fraser Nash Namir

Legendary Italian design firm Giugiaro showed a new interpretation of a brand that hardly anyone remembers, Fraser Nash. Even more unbelievable this mish-mash is meant to go into limited production. Diamond shapes are deployed across the vents and window openings to disguise the tiredness of the excersize. A mid-engined sportscar to revive a luxo brand? How cliche. How the mighty have fallen.