CAPTURE THE FUTURE OF FOUR WHEELERS

A car that resembles a yacht, the car that India’s been waiting for, sporty convertibles with looks to kill and more — Tathagata Sen takes you on a ride appreciating the concept cars featured in this year’s Auto Expo

Like each year, this year’s Auto Expo too, witnessed a heavy footfall on all days. And like each year, the most interesting feature this year, too, were the concept cars. For the uninitiated, concept cars are vehicles made to showcase new styling and/or new technology. They are often shown at auto shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs. Concept cars may or may not be mass-produced. They are straight out of a sci-fi movie and more often than not, visually stunning.

Concept cars attract visitors owing to their radical and futuristic designs and colours. Some use non-traditional, exotic, or expensive materials, ranging from paper to carbon fiber to refined alloys. Others have unique layouts, such as gullwing doors, three or five (or more) wheels, or special abilities not usually found on cars.

Without further ado, here are five of the concept cars that stole the show at this year’s auto expo:

KIA SP SUV CONCEPT

Of all the sections in this year’s show, newcomer Kia’s was the most crowded. The company’s SP SUV Concept, stood out like a solid, bold rockstar. With a colour palette of white, black and metallic orange, the Kia SP SUV Concept is a magnificent beast. The family signature grille in the front gives it an aggressive stance. The design feature on headlamps adds to its raw look (stripe-like lights above the headlamp). The car’s silhouette is broad and squarish, which add weight to its visual appeal.

MARUTI SUZUKI CONCEPT FUTURES

After teasing car enthusiasts and the general public with only a partial silhouette of the car, Maruti Suzuki finally unveiled the Concept Future S at the Auto Expo 2018. Completely designed in India, the Concept Future S looks bold, confident and dynamic. The exteriors of the vehicles have an upright stance, higher seating space and higher ground clearance. The headlamps and tail lights are sleek, yet aggressive, and its wide arches and haunches all combine together to give the Concept Future S the micro-SUV stance. The bright orange body with white accents make the car quite an eye candy.

TATA H5X CONCEPT

Based on the Tata’s Impact Design 2.0 design language, the H5X Concept is one of two new concept cars revealed by Tata Motors at Auto Expo 2018. The design is based on Tata Motors ‘Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced’ (OMEGA) architecture based monocoque chassis. The new Tata Omega architecture platform has been developed with the help of Tata’s subsidiary Land Rover and is based on the latter’s LR4 chassis. The sides of this muscular car are haunched quite high above the ground, giving it a mean, aggressive look. The H5X features some rather huge wheels that adds to its dominant look. The H5X has steps on the side that allow access to the interior of the car. Car lovers will be thrilled to see the interiors of the H5X, which are as opulent as the Land Rovers, with large seats and a triple layer dash along with a gear knob. Other attractive features include dual floating displays up front, which replace the instrument binnacle and the infotainment display. The front seats also feature screens at the back for the viewing pleasure of the rear passengers. With the H5X, Tata definitely has a winner!

MAHINDRA TUV STINGER CONVERTIBLE SUV CONCEPT

Based on the Mahindra TUV300, the TUV Stinger convertible SUV, is aimed at the young and the trendy. One look at the Stinger, and you will feel like taking it for a long drive down a beach — roof pulled down, of course. It’s also one of those cars that turn heads at the traffic signal — you just can’t avoid it! This sporty car has a rugged, muscular stance and features large chrome grille with a big Mahindra logo applique inspired by a bird in flight, perhaps in line with the company’s ‘Live Young Live Free’ motto. The vehicle is simple yet distinctive lighting signature is inspired by the uber popular Mahindra Scorpio.

RENAULT ‘THE CONCEPT’

Renault ‘The Concept’ is hands down the most interesting, most radical concept car in this list. While the car’s low clearance and futuristic matte yellow-pearl white exterior makes it looks like a vehicle straight out of a sci-fi movie, the insides of the car resemble a yacht! No, really! Sample this: The roof opens up for you to enter the car through wooden, boat like steps and you find seats that look like a wooden deck. If this maritime-themed car makes it to production, Indian roads will become really interesting. In its first ever Made in India concept car, French car maker Renault’s ‘The Concept’ is also designed at the company’s studios in Chennai and Mumbai, by an Indian designer.