Former MINI Chief of Design Introduces New Concept
Gert Hildebrand, former Head of Design at MINI, introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show a new SUV concept for the Chinese brand, Qoros. As many of you probably know, Mr. Hildebrand is VP of Design at Qoros Automotive. The [Wall Street Journal](http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2015/04/22/from-mini-designer-a-chinese-car-on-steroids/) had the chance to talk to him about this new concept.
The market for SUVs is apparently booming in China and Qoros wants to meet that demand with this new concept. When asked about the similarities between the Qoros 2 and his prior work at MINI, here is the response the designer gave:
>”Mini is history for me. But nevertheless as a designer you keep a certain design style from birth–if you buy my design you buy my personality.”
Gert’s contribution to the MINI brand is invaluable and many fans argue that his touch has been sorely missed since his departure. However, seeing him continue to imprint his magic in other parts of the automotive space is a win for everyone.
<p>The love child of a Cadillac and Scion xD</p>
<p>I dig it from the A-pillars back…</p>
<p>a face only a mother could love, the rest, not too bad.</p>
<p>Since his last few years at MINI (Countryman, Paceman) and through his start at Qoros, it seems that he mostly designed SUVs (Qoros 3). Must be kind of frustrating to him…</p>
<p>“Must be kind of frustrating to him…”</p>
<p>Right?</p>
<p>GH’s path is remarkably dissimilar to Frank Stephenson’s, who’s work seems to have a logical and consistent flow as he moves from one project to the next.</p>
<p>Except people forget that GH was Stephenson’s boss through most of that. So it’s not like he was working in a vacuum. Also, Stephenson’s follow up gigs were very different than this company, and they likely asked for very different things. Being as I’ve worked in the creative services field for more than a decade, I have a great degree of empathy for designers. What gets put out is rarely exactly what we wanted. Often times, it’s nowhere near what we wanted. This admittedly awful-looking car isn’t GH designing in a vacuum either. His bosses at this automaker may have steered this heavily in the direction it went. Or maybe not. Maybe he loves it. I can’t help but doubt it though.</p>
<p>Alex, I’m pretty sure GH is working on the full Qoros line-up now, not just SUVs.</p>
<p>As VP of design I’m sure he must be. It is just a trend that I have noted.</p>
<p>This post warrants a disturbing image warning for the squeamish among us.</p>
<p>Yikes! What MINI designs did this guy work on?</p>
<p>“This guy” worked on most models of the R generation and he happens to be the father of the Twins.</p>
<p>Well, based on this monstrosity, his best days are behind him…</p>
<p>Well incidentally the R generation is the one I find the less pretty !</p>
<p>Incidentally, I feel the same way about the F series !</p>
<p>I just about spat out my breakfast cereal all over the table laughing when I saw that thing.</p>
<p>Awful. Simply awful.</p>
<p>I like it. Maybe the side/graphics element on the doors needs to be simplified. I want to see more in your face love or hate it designs like this instead of the plain vanilla “please like our cars” variants we currently see on our roads.</p>
<p>I kinda like it. But I’d prefer to see it with a 2-4″ lift.</p>
<p>“Always respect your enemy”. By 2020, the Chinese will be building cars to South Korean standards, and by 2025 to the best European standards. Don’t say you weren’t warned!</p>