The Future Of The Automobile

A few months ago EniLab posted an excellent interview with Chris Bangle.

One paragraph of that article has been on my mind ever since then.

In the article Bangle says:

"I worry that the industry isn't looking far enough forward. We're closing in rapidly at the end of the current paradigm in the evolution of the car, and if this paradigm lasts beyond 2020, I'll be amazed. After that, cars, as we understand them now, will be different animals."

I am fascinated with the idea that we're coming to the end of the current paradigm in the evolution of the car ....but how should we interpret this?

What do you guys think the next step for the automobile is?

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Chris Bangle said:

"We as an industry know change is happening, but we don't seem to be able to deal with it. The design schools--which are way too conservative--aren't researching this; the relationship between engineering and design is in a stasis. But, man, we've got to go so much further. We need engineers to be prepared to go up front and lead!"

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I suppose it all depends on what Bangle is referring to as the "current paradigm".

Internal combustion engines? Four doors and four seats? Three box sedans and two box hatches?

Or something more prosaic - single frame grilles? Flame surfacing?

I don't see cars changing too much - it'll be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. If not because of a lack of visionary designers or engineers, and not because of the inherent inertia of a large and largely conservative industry, then because I don't see that a lot needs to change about the essential premise of the motor vehicle.

People will always need personal transport, and the ability to carry other people and cargo. Fuels and ecological factors may change, but it's already in the pipeline. Many other things are there because they're the most effective way, like having four wheels.

Of course, if he's talking about design trends and less drastic changes in technology, then I don't have much to say, since I don't think changing those things can be called a paradigm shift at all.

I'm with SV on this one. I think Bangle could have "drilled down" a bit on what paradigm he had in mind. To discuss the concept of a car as a paradigm is too high level for easily understanding which functions and/or features he thought are getting dated.

Bangle once said he was fond of versatile eco-friendly personal mover that would cost beyond €5,000. Something much simple than today's car & much more accessible to individual human being. Something that could revolutionize the automotive world.

A bike-car crossover?

Once he also mentioned a "modular automobile" - whatever that means.

A modular vehicle - something that can be e. sedan, cabrio, speedster, pick-up, wagon etc all in van - by changing the body parts?

Something similar to eg. Citroen C3 Pluriel - but more advanced & less car-like?


I would be very interesting to know what is going on in Bangle's head.

Interesting thread (yeah, I know it's old, but blame EnI for bumping it ) about a topic that has been on my mind quite a bit as of late. It's amazing what we've been able to accomplish in the last twenty years, but I really do question where will it all go; when will it end?

Actually, I'm more interested in where we can go technologically because as far as I'm concerned the automotive world essentially peaked in this respective category through out the late '90's. Yes, we didn't have the almighty "butterfly throttle body", or the "sequential" transmission, but I feel that at that time the modern automobile had most everything one wanted/required.

I personally feel that as we advanced into the new millennuim we picked up a great deal of useless, gimmicky rubbish. Don't get me wrong, there has been much created in the last 7-8 years which I think just amazing; particularly the work with high-revving engines and last but not least, ceramic brakes. The latter of which I really believe is the future for many vehicles. In our current market situation it's insanely expensive to manufacture them, but perhaps in the future automotive companies will find a cheaper way to manufacture such, or perhaps create some sort of a hybrid brake which has the advantage of ceramic's longevity but with a production cost that doesn't cost more than the car it's self - the average set of ceramic brakes cost the same, if not more than a Toyota Yugo (which is hiliarious if you think about it).

I'd also be interested to see where the evolution of the engine is going? Obviously Hybrids are going to be the hype, but I'm interested to see where the evolution of the performance engine can go. We conquered the low-revving engine concept long ago, and it looks as if we're getting closer to the perfecting the high-revving concept. So, what's next?

P.S. - Sorry for being an "automotive Dinosaur" (as EnI delicately put it).

It goes without saying that the environmental and sustainability concerns are really forcing engineers and designers to re-think the whole concept of the modern automobile. New technologies will allow new forms for the automobile.

For example, if say, we start using compact electric motors attached directly to the wheels of an automobile, there will no longer be any requirement for an engine bay at all.

New materials which can change shape, texture, translucency, colour, and self-illuminate, etc. will also offer vast possibilities.

It is a very exciting time to be observing the evolution of the automobile.

One thing I don't think will happen any time soon is the concept of personal transportation being completely replaced by public transportation. I think today there is a greater emphasis placed on personal technology than ever. Urban vehicles will be completely automated and communicate with each other to save time and energy.