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With the ecoVoyager, a Chrysler concept for 2020, elegance and simplicity were the key words of the design brief. "We actually designed this car seven years ago as the Clipper, but technology then didn't allow the package to happen" exterior designer Greg Howell told CDN. That car was canned after a full-size clay model had been produced, but now with a package afforded by a hydrogen fuel-cell and lithium-ion batteries, we are seeing what a Chrysler Voyager could look like in two generations' time.
The distinctive exterior is dominated by a long, sweeping DLO and a teardrop profile that sees the cabin pushed far forward and the rear gently sloping downwards. The surfaces are very clean, with just two side feature creases that sweep around from the front and rear, overlapping and fading out in the rear door.
Inside, the car is dominated by swathes of white leather - as was the similar-sized Lincoln MKT concept at the show. The four seats provide occupants with lots of space thanks to a long wheelbase and mono-space volume afforded by the powertrain. The way the sweeping forms of the door inners connect with the IP and also to the rear of the interior is impressive, but the interior arguably lacked any other strong innovative design features.
This is a handsome and well-resolved design, and the teardrop profile is particularly distinctive. But, tear-drop profile apart, most designers we spoke to felt that it lacked strong ideas or much relevance for future Chrysler production designs, like the other Chrysler Group concepts at Detroit.
This is one of the most significant all-new production designs at Detroit. Designed in Toyota's Calty design studio in California, the Venza is an exclusive North American-market vehicle that targets young minded middle-class Americans for whom the Avalon is too staid and a Lexus too expensive.
Sitting between the RAV4 and Lexus RX4 SUV crossovers, the Venza is more of a car-like crossover. It takes a direct lead in its conceptual design - integrated front face and rear three-quarter treatment - from the Toyota FTSX concept shown three years ago in Detroit, but it also innovates with an impressively well-resolved and distinctive form language. This is strongest in the echo around the DLO that hooks back on itself in the C-pillar and sets off the innovative tail light design. The 20-inch wheels - standard on V6 models - further demonstrate Toyota's ability to understand and appeal to this fickle target market.
Inside the car is slightly more conservative, but has a handsome center stack design with integral gear shift and a high level of equipment.
The Venza is an impressive design and one that we think will be a defining benchmark design for the emerging North American crossover vehicle class.
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Toyota FTSX - Detroit 2005
Lexus LF-Xh concept - Tokyo 2007
The Lincoln MKT is the second concept designed by Xitis Mistry (working under exterior design manager Aram Kasparian) in as many years. Following from last year's MKR concept, it progresses various Lincoln design elements introduced in the MKR; such as the way that the headlamps are integrated into the two wing form grille and the spine that runs backwards from the Lincoln logo mark on the sides of the front fenders. But the most interesting design element of the MKT is its ‘bustleback' rear.
Like a cross between a sedan and a hatchback, this provides for a deep but short trunk volume, much like a normal trunk space rotated ninety degrees so luggage has to be stacked up instead of spread out. Apparently devised following a direct suggestion from Ford's North American Executive Director of Design Peter Horbury, the ‘bustleback' has been explored to consider implementing it as a Lincoln feature. With its origins in pre-war luxury cars the ‘bustleback' profile of the MKT would be unique on the market today.
Other notable exterior design features are the Lincoln hips, a slim third light with thick chrome surround mounted in the DLO, and a tailgate that runs into the rear of the roof with two separate glazed areas.
The interior, created by Amy Kim and Joann Jung under Rafael Rego, is dominated by extensive use of white leather and features engraved chrome door pulls and kick plates. A long floating center console, which flows down from the IP through the cabin before continuing up and back on itself into the roof, is a notable design feature. Carpeting made from Banana plant and re-engineered oak, stained olive green to match the leather IP top, are further distinct interior features.
Speaking with the whole MKT design team - which also includes color and materials designer Jennifer Hewlett, design program manager Andrew Fulford and Lincoln Chief Designer Gordon Platto - it is clear that much of the thinking in this concept is set to influence forthcoming Lincoln production cars.
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Lincoln MKR concept - Detroit 2006
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