The sun shines on the righteous at the British Motor Show
05 August 2008
Some days, I just love my job! Last week, I went to the Excel Centre for the British International Motor Show. There it was obvious that British car design is streets ahead of the competition.
Checking out the list of must-sit-ins, I compiled my route. Lotus was in the same hall as Bentley and just to the right of the Spykers and Aston Martins. Imagine saying that with the kind of drawl that Homer Simpson reserves for “douggghnutssssssaggh” and you could be standing next to me at Excel!
British car manufacturing may not be world-leading, alas, but for design of desirable vehicles, we make the Italians look lacklustre. Take the Lotus Evoro 2+2, the ‘real’ name for Project Eagle. The Norfolk-based Lotus has not only created a sleekly beautiful car but has also managed to predict low CO2 emisisons of <225g/km and fuel consumption of around 30MPG, which is not so bad considering it has a 3.5litre V6 engine (admittedly, a Toyota engine, but let’s gloss over that) for 280 horsepower, top speed of 160MPH and is capable of 0 to 60 in five seconds. It is a beautiful thing indeed.
At the Aston Martin pavilion, I spent most of the time just stroking the exterior of the Vantage there. When Hayes Major announced that he aspires to owning one when he makes his fortune, his father and I could not have been prouder! The only frustrating thing is that they locked the doors! I couldn’t get in and pretend to be Jane Bond 007. Instead I photographed from every angle and stroked the smooth, metallic paintwork. The sleek, gleaming lines just draw you in – but I can confirm, you can’t pick the lock easily!
Also waving the flag for British style and class was Bentley. Even though they are big and gas guzzling, they are sleek and awesome to see. The scale of the mechanical beast with the lightness and finesse of the build make them the gentle giant of motoring. Everything lets you know how much you pay to own one and it’s all in the details, even the accelerator pedal is embossed with the company’s circled B logo. Every door is heavy and reassuring, every piece of carpeting is luxuriously squishy underfoot, and the palest, softest leather with the contrasting piping is just refined stylishness. Everyone is convinced they were born to drive one of these beauties.
Even less classically beautiful Land Rover managed to cause more of a stir than Helen Mirren in a bikini, making people rethink their prejudices. It had new and upgraded versions of the Range Rover, lower chassis and softer lines and introduced a concept car that foretells of a “ground-breaking” diesel hybrid power. The LXR could silence the green lobby’s accusations of Chelsea tractor and irresponsible drivers. Okay, Land Rover is now owned by India’s Tata Motors, but is still a neighbour of Aston Martin in Gaydon, Warwickshire and with production in Solihull and Halewood. Other, lesser mortal, motor companies had examples of hybrid or alternative power, but Land Rover is conducting real-world testing of diesel-hybrid engineering prototypes. It is far more styled and attractive than some of the electric cars, which are self-consciously green and ugly. They are the kind of car Mr Bean would step out of and reminded me of my attempts at drawing cars – when I was six. They make you recoil with horror. Honestly, would it kill a tree to have smooth lines and style? They are the automotive world’s equivalent of saying a bloke has got a wonderful sense of humour – i.e he’s pig-ugly but his heart’s in the right place.
The print edition of EPD will bring more news from the British Motor Show, with glimpses into the future for energy and fuel consumption, security and entertainment, but I wanted to reflect on the wonder of inspired design. British car design manages to produce the kind of cars people covert, with detailing and materials that subtly say the owner values quality. They are cars people strive to own and aspire to. The British car manufacturers have created an enviable niche market, which, this year, seems to be adapting to social trends as well.
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