Tag Archives: Design

What Does Santa Drive?

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Santa Claus after a night of hard work.

Sure, you might think that dear old Santa Claus is just some jolly gift giver. But look closer, and it’s hard not to be impressed.

This is a guy who runs a major distribution operation at the North Pole, a privately held enterprise that procures goods year ‘round, listens to customers and fulfills their requests in one short night. And you thought Amazon Prime was quick? Yeah, right.

And just try parallel parking eight reindeer and a sleigh without any automated driver assist systems. Good luck. 

But it begs the question, what does this much beloved, highly placed, international executive drive? No one really knows, but here are some possibilities.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer - by castle
The new Grand Wagoneer is powered by a 6.4-liter V-8 putting out 471 horsepower, making it a great daily driver

Jeep Grand Wagoneer: Given Santa’s advancing years, his comfort is a priority. But there’s work to be done, so ol’ Saint Nick needs a lot of utility and the ability to go anywhere at any time no matter what the weather. Few vehicles do it as well as the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, especially on unimproved roads.

Santa values the Grand Wagoneer’s Quadra-Drive II with active low range, rear electronic limited slip differential, terrain management system, its 48:1 crawl ratio, and ability to ford up to 24 inches of water yet tow 10,000 pounds. Yet its cabin possesses artisan-levels of craftsmanship, something unexpected yet welcome.

But it’s more than capability or its opulent interior. This is one high-tech sled, with a full 45 inches of video screens on the instrument panel. And having such a large vehicle at the North Pole is comforting when driving in bleak weather and Rudolph is playing reindeer games.

Ford F-150 hybrid powering Texas home 2020
The Ford F-150 Hybrid is good source of power should it go out at the North Pole.

Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid: Eight reindeer eating lots of Reindeer Chow leads to a lot of — ahem — mess to clean up. A pickup makes for the perfect polar workhorse, especially the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid.

Its twin-turbocharged and intercooled 3.5-liter overhead-cam V-6 mated to an electric motor that generates 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque and returns an EPA-rated of 24 mpg. And it can tow 12,700 pounds, enough to haul a trailer with all eight reindeer and their chow. It also boasts an integrated generator, with 7.2 kilowatts of power, enough to help power key appliances when the power goes out.

And when Santa needs his truck to be his office, there’s a 400-watt outlet for running office equipment, and a center armrest that converts to a flat work surface, with a storage bin beneath it large to hang file folders. And the front seats fold flat to create a bed that’s perfect for the quick nap away from Mrs. Claus. Ho, ho, ho. 

The new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid can travel up to 30 miles in electric-only mode, and carry a whole pack of elves.

Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: When you need to move a mess of elves, few vehicles can handle it with the aplomb of the 2022 Chrysler. Sure, Santa needs a minivan to schlep his staff, and the Pacifica proves the ideal solution. There’s more legroom than many full-size SUVs, and abundant cargo space.

To keep them all occupied, there’s Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and for 2022, Amazon Fire TV streaming for rear-seat passengers. Powering the Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid is the corporate 3.6-liter double-overhead cam V-6, albeit modified for hybrid duties, working in concert with two electric motors to deliver 260 horsepower to the front wheels.

It run 33 miles solely on electric power, enough to quickly pop across town. And the EPA says that you can save $800 annually in fuel costs compared to the standard Pacifica minivan.

Mrs. Claus loves the Genesis GV80’s understated opulence

Genesis GV80: The lavish GV80 is an all-new model for Genesis, one that guarantees Santa’s other half will be wearing the latest in bold automotive fashion, and enjoy the latest in seamless technology including all-wheel drive.

Mrs. Claus loves the extensive suite of driver-assistance safety features and helpful technology such as the head-up display and a huge 14.5-inch touchscreen. The quilted leather upholstery, and rear seats that adjust with heated and cooled cushions seem positively lavish.

And when it comes to indulgence, the same can be said of its performance, thanks to its 375-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6. It’s a sweet ride for the missus.

Mercedes-Maybach S 680: A night on the town calls for a righteous ride, one that’s appropriate of Santa’s station. Is there another executive shuttle to match the technology, ability and finely crafted interior of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class? The Maybach trim level turns up the luxury to 11, while retaining the sort of convenience features essential to older drivers.

When all the gifts have been delivered, and every stocking stuffed, Santa enjoys a good rip behind the wheel of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

One such feature, Night View Assist Plus, ensures the driver doesn’t hit any wildlife. ANd its quilted leather and hushed ambience, makes every ride a special occasion. And let’s not forget its 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12; it propels this massive Merc to 60 in just 4.4 seconds. And considering how much Santa has given others, this bit of indulgence is worth it.

Mazda MX-5 Miata: The stockings are stuffed, the presents placed under the tree, and now it’s Miller time. Even Santa needs to let his hair down to enjoy a few ho, ho, hos in warm weather.

You can almost see him zipping around Palm Springs in the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s a modern-day classic with great looks, light weight and crisp handling.

First Look: 2022 Rolls Royce Ghost Black Badge

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Who would have thought you could make the Rolls-Royce Ghost look so sinister?

Rolls-Royce revealed a new addition to the Rolls-Royce Ghost line-up in Miami Thursday — the Black Badge — during a North America dealer meeting that saw about 100 retailers meet with the automaker’s top executives. 

The automaker revealed the new model to dealers at the Mad nightclub in the hip and trendy Wynnewood section of Miami, and will do the same for customers later this week.

“We just felt this was very Black Badge,” said Richard Carter, director of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “It’s very, noir; It’s very alternative; and that’s the essence of Black Badge.”

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge expands a line-up that began with the Wraith coupe, followed by the Phantom sedan in 2016, the Dawn cabriolet in 2017 and the Cullinan SUV in 2019. The murdered-out Black Badge models now account for more than 27% of Rolls-Royce sales worldwide, including 40% of Cullinan sales.

The darker side of opulence

To realize the Ghost Black Badge’s menacing demeanor, the company uses 100 pounds of the industry’s darkest black paint. The Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille are darkened using a chrome electrolyte applied during chrome plating. The new model wears exclusive 21-inch wheels with as many as 44 layers of carbon fiber.

The 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge can be had in more that 44,000 different hues, although most Black Badge customers choose black.

As you’d expect, interior components are darkened including air vents and the wood veneer, along with Black Badge badging and other unique interior touches, although clients are free to specify any number of colors and trim to be used on the car’s interior.

Engineers also contributed, fitting larger air springs to alleviate body roll during assertive cornering. There’s also roughly 29 additional horsepower and a revised transmission to make the Black Badge a bit more athletic. They also reduced brake pedal travel.

A quick turn behind the wheel of pre-production prototypes revealed a car that can be driven more aggressively than your average Ghost. Grip is impressive while cornering, staying firmly planted despite some noticeable body roll. Body motions never become excessive, and rebound over bumps is very well controlled. Yet its agility doesn’t come at the expense of the brand’s legendary comfort.

An idea born in Beverly Hills

The idea of Black Badge occurred in 2014 in Beverly Hills.

“This whole notion of the alter ego of Rolls Royce, the slightly noir, naughty, edgy side of Rolls Royce is something that we were thinking about. We were looking at ways and means of lowering the age profile of our brand,” Carter said.

The Pantheon Grille and Spirit of Ecstasy also receive the Black Badge treatment.

At the time, the brand had one model, the Phantom, and an average buyer’s age of 57. “We were selling one model to a dying set of customers, and there was no future in that,” he said.

At the time, the company was about to release the first-generation Ghost, followed by its two-door spinoff, the Wraith, both of which would attract younger buyers. But the company needed more. They were searching for an idea, but hadn’t settled on anything yet.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, was waiting for a car to pick him up at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills when a murdered-out Phantom Coupe pulled up. Ötvös was stunned, and asked the owner why he modified his Phantom.

“He told me over the weekend, that he wants to be a different kind of character,” Ötvös said. “For some of the week, he is friendly and nice. But over the weekend, he wants to be something different. He enjoyed playing a different role; how he was dressed, looked and talked.” 

A couple weeks later, Ötvös had similar experiences particularly in the United States, particularly in California. This led to the creation of Black Badge at a time where murdered-out cars weren’t mainstream.

A surprising success

The Ghost Black Badge is revealed for the first time at the Mad nightclub in Miami.

Initially, executives expected Black Badge models to have a 10%-15% take rate. But they were mistaken. It turned out to be a stunning success, with a far higher take rate. Currently, Black Badge represents 40% of Cullinan sales. Black Badge, along with new models like Ghost, Wraith and Cullinan, have brought the average Rolls-Royce buyer’s age down to 43, quite a large drop in a little less than a decade. 

“We are even younger than Mini as a brand in the BMW Group,” Ötvös said, who then explained that the type of wealthy car buyer has changed. 

“When you look into ultra-high net worth individuals, those people who are our target group worldwide, they became younger and younger over time because the way to generate wealth is very, very different from what it used to be 15-to-20 years ago.”

Rolls-Royce sees its Black Badge line as one that appeals to iconoclasts, a type of buyer that the brand has always attracted, particularly during the pre-World War II years, when all coachwork was custom built.

“Black Badge was the most instrumental piece we had in an all-new brand strategy to massively decrease the average age and illuminate the brand in a significant way,” Ötvös said. 

Mission accomplished.

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Weird Wheels: United Nude’s ‘Lo-Res Car’ Up for Auction

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<img data-attachment-id=”1776172″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/10/weird-wheels-united-nudes-lo-res-car-up-for-auction/16321666122a8bb67884d9388flores-11-scaled/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/16321666122a8bb67884d9388flores-11-scaled.jpg” data-orig-size=”2048,1366″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”0″,”credit”:””,”camera”:””,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”0″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”0″,”iso”:”0″,”shutter_speed”:”0″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”0″}” data-image-title=”16321666122a8bb67884d9388flores-11-scaled” data-image-description=”

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If anybody has a soft spot for wedge designs and the automotive future envisioned during the 1970s, it’s yours truly. While mainstream vehicles being manufactured during the Malaise Era often left a lot to be desired, the concepts were sublime and led to some of the most unique-looking production cars in automotive history. I’m talking about cars like the Lancia Stratos, Lamborghini Countach, Lotus Esprit, BMW M1, De Tomaso Pantera, and DeLorean DMC-12. Toss in the digital dashboards that were gradually appearing in standard passenger cars during the 1980s and you’ve reached the point where I would probably claim automotive styling reached its zenith after a few stiff drinks. But I’ve been told by those who can distinguish fetishization from appreciation that those designs weren’t perfect and kind of look the same when there’s enough squinting is deployed.

Apparently, someone took that premise and used it as a template for a modern prototype intended to help sell shoes. Though the company focused entirely on the basic shape of wedge cars, settling on a vehicle that resembles what a Countach might have looked like in a video game from two decades ago should the assets fail to load. Known as the United Nude Lo-Res Concept Vehicle, it’s probably one of the more-unique automobiles ever built and it’s yours for the taking now that the Petersen Automotive Museum doesn’t want it. 

<img data-attachment-id=”1776174″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/10/weird-wheels-united-nudes-lo-res-car-up-for-auction/163216654388f935ealores-12-scaled/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/163216654388f935ealores-12-scaled.jpg” data-orig-size=”2048,1365″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”0″,”credit”:””,”camera”:””,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”0″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”0″,”iso”:”0″,”shutter_speed”:”0″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”0″}” data-image-title=”163216654388f935ealores-12-scaled” data-image-description=”

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Currently listed on Bring a Trailer, chassis number three (of four) is comprised of 12 tinted clear polycarbonate panels intentionally styled to embody the now-retro wedge design in the most literal way possible.

From the listing:

This concept vehicle is one of four prototypes commissioned by footwear company United Nude for promotional purposes. Dubbed the “Lo-Res Car,” the vehicle was penned by United Nude founder Rem D. Koolhaas based on an abstract, low-resolution version of the Lamborghini Countach. It features clear tinted polycarbonate body panels over a steel chassis, and power is supplied by a KDS 5-kilowatt electric motor paired with a single-speed transmission. Additional equipment includes an electrically-actuated clamshell-opening body, front and rear light bars, tandem seating, and a chrome hexagonal steering wheel. The vehicle was acquired by the Petersen Automotive Museum around three years ago and is now being offered at no reserve in Los Angeles, California. It is not titled or registered for street use and is sold on a bill of sale.

Inspired by the design of the Lamborghini Countach, the first prototype of the Lo-Res Car achieved a Wallpaper Magazine Design Award in 2016. Subsequent prototypes were featured in various music videos and were also displayed at the 2018 Grand Basel automotive design showcase as well as the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Disruptors exhibition in 2019.

<img data-attachment-id=”1776168″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/10/weird-wheels-united-nudes-lo-res-car-up-for-auction/2017_united_nude_lo_res_16330379013bca08lores-129-scaled/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2017_united_nude_lo_res_16330379013bca08Lores-129-scaled.jpg” data-orig-size=”2048,1365″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”0″,”credit”:””,”camera”:””,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”0″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”0″,”iso”:”0″,”shutter_speed”:”0″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”0″}” data-image-title=”2017_united_nude_lo_res_16330379013bca08Lores-129-scaled” data-image-description=”

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Beautiful it is not. But the mere fact that someone turned this polyhedron into a functioning car is kind of amazing. It’s more Cybertruck than Cybertruck, except the Lo-Res offers the powertrain of a decent golf cart and the utility of a tricycle. These shortcomings are forgivable on what’s effectively a rolling piece of modern art, however.

On the inside, the polycarbonate panels (some of which look scratched) allow occupants to see out in every direction while the tint makes it nearly impossible to see into. Though there isn’t much to look at. Opening up the clamshell allows two people to climb into the non-adjustable seats and shows just how basic the cabin in. The driver has that odd hexagonal steering wheel, the necessary pedals, and some switches — most of which are used to control the vehicle’s numerous illumination options.

Instrumentation is limited to the state of charge and a basic digital speedometer. Air conditioning, a radio, or even seatbelts would be wishful thinking.

<img data-attachment-id=”1776176″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/10/weird-wheels-united-nudes-lo-res-car-up-for-auction/1632166693884d9388f935ealores-10-scaled/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1632166693884d9388f935ealores-10-scaled.jpg” data-orig-size=”2048,1365″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”0″,”credit”:””,”camera”:””,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”0″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”0″,”iso”:”0″,”shutter_speed”:”0″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”0″}” data-image-title=”1632166693884d9388f935ealores-10-scaled” data-image-description=”

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Considering you can’t legally drive the Lo-Res on the street (and it would be a deathtrap if you did) that’s all fine. While the model’s front discs can presumably stop it in time to avoid most accidents, I’ve heard it has a hard time reaching 25 mph when carrying a passenger and it looks like it would disintegrate the moment it made contact with a real car.

Listed with no reserve, the latest bid at the time of this writing was a modest (?) $45,000. But the Lo-Res is probably best left to art snobs, rather than someone who might actually want to drive their collectables. I would argue that there are better ways for an automotive enthusiast to spend their money. Still, the United Nude design is so damn weird that we couldn’t help but show it.

<img data-attachment-id=”1776170″ data-permalink=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/10/weird-wheels-united-nudes-lo-res-car-up-for-auction/2017_united_nude_lo_res_1633037908884d9388f935ealores-130-scaled/” data-orig-file=”https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2017_united_nude_lo_res_1633037908884d9388f935eaLores-130-scaled.jpg” data-orig-size=”2048,1365″ data-comments-opened=”1″ data-image-meta=”{“aperture”:”0″,”credit”:””,”camera”:””,”caption”:””,”created_timestamp”:”0″,”copyright”:””,”focal_length”:”0″,”iso”:”0″,”shutter_speed”:”0″,”title”:””,”orientation”:”0″}” data-image-title=”2017_united_nude_lo_res_1633037908884d9388f935eaLores-130-scaled” data-image-description=”

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[Images: Bring a Trailer]

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Volvo Goes Leather-Free on New Vehicles

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Volvo C40 Recharge non-leather seats
Volvo’s focus on sustainability turned to its vehicle interiors with the elimination of the use of leather in all vehicles by 2030.

Volvo, like other automakers, has made sustainability a focus for its future products. The shift includes a move toward electrification and the use of materials that are responsibly sourced and sustainable. 

Its latest effort is the elimination of leather from all its electric vehicles. The first “leather-free” vehicle in the Volvo line-up is the new C40 Recharge.

“We’ve got a new generation of customers coming through, they’re far more interested in the products they buy and having an ethical story behind them,” Robin Page, Volvo’s head of design, told Reuters. The target date for making its line-up completely leather-free is 2030.

Sustainable and cruelty-free

Volvo Cars sustainable material base

Volvo Cars’ new leather-free material consists of textiles made from recycled material such as PET bottles, bio-attributed material from sustainable forests and recycled wine corks.

The decision to eliminate leather isn’t solely about sustainability. It’s also about animal welfare. Volvo is keen to appeal to its customers’ concerns about the treatment of animals by the leather industry and the industry’s environmental impact.

According to a recent Volvo report, The Rise of Conscious Design, two-thirds of customers consider a brand’s environmental policies when making a luxury purchase. These people also want to see better labeling that includes the carbon impact of a company and its products.

This not the first effort by the Swedish automaker to improve its sustainability efforts. In 2018, it resolved to remove all single-use plastics from its offices, cafeterias and at all of its events by then of 2019.

Volvo C40 Recharge leather-free door panel

Volvo’s first non-leather interior comes with the n C40 Recharge.

Numerous leather alternatives

The elimination of leather forced Volvo to search out a wide range of alternatives. These include Nordico — a material made from forestry byproducts along with recycled cork and plastic bottles. In addition to being a sustainable product, Nordico mimics the look and feel of leather creating a warm and welcoming interior.

“For someone who loves leather but is aware of the negative effects of leather on the environment, this is a good, modern way to capture the properties but is the right material for the future,” Page said

Recycled polyester is also on the list of alternative materials adorning the interior of new Volvos. This helps reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Linen and flax produced in between crops will also be used, which has the added benefit of helping replenish the soil for future crops.

“We have a vision of where we need to go in the future, with the first step to ensure we harness sustainable, natural and recycled materials,” said Page. “The next challenge is to change what we do with these materials, whether that’s making car parts that last forever, re-enter the circular economy or go back into the earth.”

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Jeep Orange Peelz Concept Looks Sweet

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Orange PeelzOrange Peelz, one of a half-dozen Jeep concepts unveiled at Easter Jeep Safari, is quite possibly the easiest to replicate and drive on a daily basis. A two-door Wrangler, it uses Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) prototype half doors and a custom removable sunroof to let the sunshine in.

Orange Peelz

A JPP two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, combined with custom steel fender flares, allows 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires on 17-inch JPP aluminum wheels full range of motion. Mopar valve stems with a Jeep logo are a nice finishing touch, though unseen in the photos or by most people passing by.

Orange Peelz

Someone in the design department seems displeased with the hood on the Wrangler or Gladiator and has a penchant for replacing them. On the Orange Peelz, there’s another concept hood that differs from those on the other EJS vehicles, this one with a Jeep Willys logo and custom black Mopar hood latches. JPP five-inch off-road LED lights are mounted to the base of the A-pillars, and just in case you can’t see what’s ahead a Mopar windshield made of Corning Gorilla Glass is there for a little added protection.

Orange Peelz

The Orange Peelz’ exterior has a black graphic stripe around its midsection, with vintage Jeep fender badges in black. The custom JPP Rubicon bumper has a two-inch grille guard and is fitted with an 8,000-lb. JPP Warn winch. Custom rock rails were added for protection, should the trail run turn into something a little more serious. A JPP swing gate hinge reinforcement is there to accommodate a larger-size spare tire, and the JPP center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) relocation kit centers the third brake light in its center. Tow hooks front and rear are of course color-matched because that’s what designers do.

Orange Peelz

Plaid interiors are also an overarching ‘theme’ this year, with the door panels, center console, seat inserts, and mid-instrument panels covered in this lively material. Orange stitching on the steering wheel cover, shifter boots, and the parking-brake handle cover completes the match.

Orange Peelz

Aside from the JPP cold-air intake and JPP cat-back exhaust system, the 285 HP, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is stock. Yes, there are a few items you can’t buy on the Orange Peelz, but overall it’s the one that’s closest to finding its way to your driveway. Now if we can just get Revo Reeves from Stitchcraft to tell us where we might find plaid upholstery material, it’ll be a dead ringer.

[Images: Jeep]