Designworks USA, BMW Group's in house product design firm, has two entries in this year's LA Auto Show design compeition. This year's theme is, “the Ultimate LA Machine”
Based on that theme Designworks has penned two concepts. One based around a sleek BMW roadster and another with radical rally inspired MINI concepts. The winner was chosen yesterday but I have yet to find any mention of it online. Interestinly Frank Stephenson, currently the director of design at Ferrari Maserati Group and designer of the current MINI will open the design conference.
Note: Please keep in mind this is purely a concept of what could be the ultimate LA Machine. Don't read too much into any of the design themes presented here in relation to the next MINI.
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<p>Me Like. Too bad it's only a concept.</p>
<p>Is it me or does that Red MINI sketch in the lower left corner sort of match up with the styling that we've been hearing about on the R56?</p>
<p>Enough to make one wonder…</p>
<p>The two features I like are:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>The roofline of the one on the very bottom</p></li>
<li><p>The color matched A-pillars on the top two. To my that looks much more Mini (setting aside everything else going on with those two sketches).</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Nice drawings. </p>
<p>Maybe the audience would like to view more from the show?</p>
<p>If so,
<a href="http://www.teammightyminiz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1373" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.teammightyminiz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1373</a>
more there… from Benz, Honda and Hummer!</p>
<p>Now why would they want to do that :)</p>
<p>Actually most of the designs were a big let-down IMHO. There were only two… maybe three that weren't ridiculous in terms of reality..</p>
<p>…wow…nice drawings. Oh,by the way Gabe,congrats on your new gig.Talent like yours doesn't go unnotice for long. P.S.: I belong to Atlanta Minis Car Club(www.atlantaminis.net)and I got some great photos that you might find interesting. How should I send them to you?</p>
<p>The lower picture of the Mini on a jump makes me wish they built something to compete in the WRC….. Ahhh maybe someday with the AWD???!!! </p>
<p>The cool thing is how much the Mini is creating a micro car explostion here in the states. Makes you feel like your really driving around something extra special…</p>
<p>Man I love my car!!!!!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Doug, Thanks for the link…</p>
<p>The BMW Spyder and the MERC Gull Wing are very kool. As for the flying part…that's kinda silly, but it [gull wing] is supposed to be a fantasy car so what the heck.</p>
<p>That little red mini on the left could be alright…sure looks better than that PS rendition that we saw in AutoCar.</p>
<p>I'm going to the show on Sunday.</p>
<p>I dig the other concepts moreso than the MINI.</p>
<p>The MINI is limited in comparison.<br />
They are are fun designs.</p>
<p>Is it just me or does the one on the lower right look like a house shoe?</p>
<p>gee, just what the world needs. A MINI AZTEC. Would it come with a Pontiac engine?</p>
<p>any more info i wnat to know more about the design concept</p>
<p><a href="http://www.laautoshow.com/2005/images/lamachine/11.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.laautoshow.com/2005/images/lamachine/11.jpg</a></p>
<p>another pic for you</p>