You’ve heard of YouTubers who drop phones and other pieces of tech to test their durability, but have you ever heard of a company actually donating their products for the sole purpose of destroying them? This is exactly what Volvo has been doing recently. In order for Swedish rescue teams to get into the practice…
With just 88 of them made worldwide, the Aston Martin V12 definitely fits the bill when it comes to rare cars. By combining elements from some of the car company’s most revered models and infusing them with aeronautical design, the Aston Martin V12 feels very much like the culmination of all their work built under…
Remember all the times you spent building impossible sandbox structures as a kid so that you could drive your toy cars through them? While seeing a grown adult do the same thing may seem kind of…well, weird, Audi has given us an excellent reason to jump right back in the sandbox and become a kid…
It seems like just about everyone these days runs on a steady stream of either coffee or cola. When the world turns at such a blistering pace, it only makes sense for you to be able to keep up, right? Well, YouTube user The Q may have taken the expression a biiiiit too seriously… Instead…
From sketch to assembly, the life of a bolt may not seem all that exciting compared to a cutting-edge smartphone design, but throw in some decent storytelling and somehow you’ll find yourself emotionally attached to that bolt. At least, a humble front suspension bolt by the name of RB12-FS-00663-02. Recently, the Red Bull Racing (Formula…
In the history of industrial design and engineering, perhaps no other industry is as storied and colorful as the automobile. While we may be on the cusp of a future consisting of self-driving cars that we can experience through virtual reality before purchasing, it’s the marketing and sales tactics that reflected consumer needs and buying…
When Harley Earl popularized the concept vehicle in the 1950s, it was used as a way for automakers to showcase new stylings and technologies – most of which were years ahead of any feasible production date if they even made it to production at all. In more recent decades, auto manufacturers have pulled out all the…
Despite having hundreds – if not, thousands – of significant and innovative changes happen underneath the hood over the past five decades, the distinctive silhouette of the Porsche 911 has largely remained the same. Regardless, the teardrop-shaped 911 still sits at the top of the list for car aficionados and noobs alike for its timeless…
It seems as though in order to gain attention these days, automaker are increasingly looking outside of the cars they make and into new technologies that validate their credibility as an innovator. One only needs to be reminded of Lexus’ recent hoverboard publicity stunt to see that they actually, kind of, work. More recently, German…
Known for his prolific automotive art and custom car designs, Steve Sanford’s work has been commissioned over the years by custom car builders and car enthusiasts alike – not to mention he’s also helped inspire generations of car designers through his unique rendering techniques. But not only has Stanford been able to make a name…
When it comes to transportation design, it used to be that one only needed to attend an exterior design sketching class to notice that the majority of those in attendance were likely car-obsessed males. However, as more women crossover into design and engineering roles that were previously held by their male counterparts, we’re also starting…
Fresh off the heels of last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2015) in Las Vegas, the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit is in full-swing today and is swapping in-dash computer announcements for supercar unveilings. The first car to take the Detroit audience by storm this morning was one that has been rumored…
Founded in 1912, BERTONE has had a colorful history creating some of the most sought-after and futuristic car designs throughout the past century. The reputable Italian firm started out as a carriage manufacturing business and later turned into a styling studio that was commissioned by some of the most reputable car manufacturers in the world…
After earning a degree in architecture and specializing in industrial design, Ferrari’s Chief of Design Flavio Manzoni began his design career in 1993 working at FIAT’s Lancia Design Center. In only eight short years, Manzoni’s talents allowed him to rise through the ranks to become the chief designer of the FIAT Group Design Center. With…
After suffering a life-altering crash in 2000 that severely injured his spinal cord, race car driver Sam Schmidt will finally be able to get back on the racetrack after 14 years at the upcoming Indianapolis 500 race later this month. In collaboration with Arrow Electronics, Sam will be driving a specially-outfitted 2014 Corvette C7 Stingray…
Sure, at the right angle it looks like the backend was cleaned off by a semi trailer truck barreling down the road, but the reinvigorated Morgan 3 Wheeler is the three-wheeled car that three-wheeled, leather-wearing man-dreams are made of. Don’t doubt yourself if the Morgan 3 Wheeler rings a bell. The company has been kicking…
The 2014 Geneva Autoshow is in full swing this week and one of the most hyped announcements is that of Apple integrating their user experience into a variety of cars starting later this year called CarPlay. So far we’ve only seen the UE in pictures, but as part of the announcement for their new XC90…
Last time we talked with Daniel Simon, we were at the Autodesk CAVE conference in Las Vegas this past December where he was explaining how he finds inspiration for his futuristic vehicle concept art. Between both his own personal projects and various concept design for films such as Oblivion, Tron, and Captain America, he is…
Consider it the ultimate snowmobile if you and your four closest friends want to leave the ski lift to the ‘commoners’. The RaptorTrax is a new concept vehicle built off of a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor base that professional rally driver Ken Block will be unveiling (and bragging about) later this week in Aspen, CO…
We’re always talking about the future of design, the future of technology, the future of MAKING. In a world where smart cars will drive themselves in rush hour traffic, a world where 3D printing is enabling the blind to experience outer space through touch…how do we find the next ‘big thing’? Maker Galaxy is a…
Airless tires have been sort of like a pesky mole in the last ten years: they poke their heads out just long enough to catch some attention, then retreat back into their holes. Other than being airless and less-prone to damage, their use in automobiles has been questionable based on their potential lack of driving…
For those who watched Apple’s Developer Conference back in June, you might have remembered Apple CEO Tim Cook inviting out a CEO of a new toy car company that utilized Apple’s iOS devices as a ‘steering wheel’ of sorts to drive physical cars. For those who might not have seen the keynote presentation, these aren’t…
…Okay the title is partially misleading, but is somewhat true: if your ‘vision’ of what a 2014 Lexus IS F Sport should look like is chosen, ONE of the prizes is a one year paid lease for a 2014 Lexus IS F Sport—plus, an all-expenses paid trip to see your design revealed at the SEMA…
As automobile design becomes more prevalent in the mainstream, Disney is moving forward towards recreating an optimistic view of futuristic transportation and how these ideas are fostered. Set to open at Disney World December 6th, the new Test Track attraction gives new meaning to ‘Tomorrowland’ by letting kids (and their parents) design and test the…
What’s more fun than a barrel of charred monkey pelts? A barrel of super simple concept car design in SolidWorks. Or in this case, a video of super simple car design in SolidWorks. Tony Suarez created a car modeling video to shock and stun surface modelers a while back. Now, he’s back with surfaces to…
What’s slightly less/more awesome than driving cool cars? Drawing them. Making sound effects while turning red and eventually passing out just adds to the enjoyment. I Draw Cars can help. A project started by product designer Matt Marrocco and car designer Adam Hubers, it brings their car sketching passion and knowledge to you via the…
You’ve tried to warn your children, your pets, your boss’ thumb that pops up over the cubicle wall and whispers movie quotes to you in a raspy voice. Screaming doesn’t help. Nevertheless, it’s happening. 3D weaving is here (has been) and Lexus is finally showing off the technology which started an Amish uprising surfaced almost…
I know the number one thing you are wondering as you tumble down a rocky cliff on your snowboard is, how the heck am I going to get back up there to do this all over again. Problem solved… at least for Ken Block it is. He, along with Rally America and a handful of…
Do you remember the Audi R8 Surfacing video? The preview of how to model it in SolidWorks? If the fact that it wasn’t actually available then was enough to taunt you into joy-filled rage, you can wipe those frustrated tears. It’s here. Daniel Lavoie has put the entire process together. 14 hours and 20 minutes…
Hold onto your highly polished, aluminum chassis car buffs. One of the most incredible stories of car design and engineering has just rolled onto your screen. Think of this. What if you were building a roaster, a custom roadster for the CEO of Oracle, Larry Ellison. What if money was no option. What if you…
You know what is sweet? Fast stuff is sweet. But a new SuperSonic Car adventure blows the whole concept of fast, along with the previously held 763 MPH land speed record, right off the sands of the Nevada desert. Richard Noble, developer of the record-setting Thrust SSC, piloted by Andy Green, is at it again…