The inspiration behind famous car designs

Andy Goodwin rounds up cars which owe thanks to the mobile phone, Sumo wrestler and even a species of fish.

Ford Fiesta – Mobile Phone

The latest Ford Fiesta is set to go on sale in autumn, and will be the most stylish supermini ever made by the company. The current Fiesta’s interior has been accused of being dull-but-worthy but Ford’s designers have worked hard to make it more evocative. For its dashboard they have taken inspiration from a mobile phone, replicating its smooth, touch sensitive buttons and clever backlighting to produce a really stylish finish.

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Saab – Fighter jet

For those of you who don’t already know, Saab used to build fighter jets – and their aim has always been to put this design knowledge into their cars. The Saab 9-5 was launched with the “Born from Jets” TV campaign where it was fearlessly driven under a flying Saab Gripen jet fighter and models in the range get names including Aero and Vector.

Toyota Auris – Notre Dame Cathedral

The centre console in a Toyota Auris sweeps down from high up on the dashboard and forms an arch, ending where the handbrake begins. And, it’s a shame many owners will probably never realise this ‘flying buttress’ is in fact a replica of the supports found around the choir and nave of Paris’s Notre Dame cathedral.

Jaguar XK – Kate Winslet

British actress Kate Winslet has taken Hollywood by storm, and unwittingly inspired one of the most beautiful cars currently on sale. She revealed on an American chat show the Jaguar XK was partly based on her curvaceous body. “It’s kind of flattering. But the headlights aren’t big enough.”

Mazda 6 – Sumo wrestling

Designers of the new Mazda 6 are keen to discuss their car’s bodywork in terms of the Japanese heritage which inspired it. Apparently the sides of the car give a design nod to Sumo wrestling while sharper features pay homage to the Samurai sword.

Ford Cortina Mk3 – Coke bottle

Taking inspiration from outside the car world is not new - the 1970 Ford Cortina Mk3 was famous for its ‘Coke-bottle’ styling. The Coca Cola bottle is a design icon, and the Cortina Mk3 echoes its style with rounded bodywork and a svelte side kick-up line along its flanks.

Mercedes “Boxfish”- Fish

While it was only a concept, this Mercedes is amazing because it is the only car to have been entirely inspired by a fish. And, while you might imagine the fish to be a sleek dolphin or tuna it was in fact the rather flat faced Yellow boxfish. A team from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia found the small sea-dweller to be amazingly streamlined and the concept car which copied its shape was equally slippery when tested in the wind tunnel.

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