Bell-bottomed cars
September 20, 2011 in Audi, cars, Concept cars, Ford, motorshow, motorshows, Porsche, trends and tagged Audi, Bell-bottoms, fashion, Ford, Porsche, surfacing.
The treatment of the rocker area on a car’s lower body side has been one of the most varied elements of car design in recent times. From shear body sides, we’ve moved through tucked under rockers, the incorporation of light catchers, cladding elements and have now arrived at bell-bottomed cars. It’s a trend we’ve seen on a number of recent new cars and concepts. Replacing the lower door light-catcher as the treatment of choice, it takes its lead from the world of fashion.
Towards the end of 2010, the trend for skinny jeans gave way to a new trend for jeans (and trousers in general) which gently flared below the knee. Not quite as dramatic as the flares of the 70s, the lower leg of the trouser flares out in much the same way as a bell, hence the term ‘bell-bottomed’
The bell-bottomed trend is prominent on the new (991) Porsche 911. As well as a pronounced rocker bulge in side profile, the Porsche is significant for carrying this feature round the car, and is prevalent in the lower rear bumper
Audi’s Urban Concept features a gently rising crease in the lower body side, from which the lower side section ‘flares out’ to the base of the car
Ford’s Evos concept features a flared bell-bottom as the car dives forwards. Around the car the lower body section consistently flares, with a jutting chin at the front and lip around the rear diffuser
This article, in its full version, first appeared in Car Design Research’s Insight Quarterly magazine. If you would like to subscribe and be put on our mailing list, please contact us.
Posted by Joe Simpson