2010 Maruti Suzuki R3 MPV Concept Twittique – A quick design review
Suzuki – through one of their research and development divisions in India, have come up with a compact MPV concept thought to be in preparation for the Delhi motor show, called the R3.
Rightly so, there is a trend in trying to make potentially dull cars (like vans and MPVs) to be dynamically styled. In Suzuki’s attempt there are many lines along the body side that emphasize this directional movement. The most interesting is the in the belt line of the car that uses light catching on the rear to contrast heavily with the dark shadow just behind the front wheel arch. Interesting DLO frame treatments that are sympathetic to the lower half of the doors create that conceptual interest that I would love to see in production.
Dramatic lines bring movement to the design
Themes of glass (represented in black) are strongly reinforced with the large opening on the rear backlight and are all connected with the sides and front with the sky lights on the roof. This results in a ‘light’ appearance on a car that could otherwise be heavy due to large areas of color.
A secondary theme that is perhaps more cohesive in the interior is the satin finished metal work. Hints that appear on the front, and streak though the body side are fed through the console with a vein-like functionality.
Clever use of satin chrome and black help reduce the visual weight of this type of car
Deliberate techniques of visual mass reduction make this a successful concept with clever uses of non-color (inside as black surfaces, and outside as glass). As a result this compact MPV, the R3, is far from static and heavy looking. I hope they put this one into production!
The new R3 could be a real winner I think and the satin finish is a masterstroke.
Now, I do know its not fashionable to defend Suzuki, but all of the Suzuki snubbing I read on the blogs is getting very tiresome and unnecessary. I, too, used to hold round previous stereotypes of what vehicles are good vs. bad. Then, I did some common sense self-education. I keep in mind a time in the not too distant past when Audi, VW, Mini, and Ford have been criticized for their less than reliable, so-so cars. Now, many people cannot live without the Audi A4, VW CC, Ford Fusion, and Mini Cooper. Not everybody can afford to drive an Audi R8 or Fusion Hybrid, nor does everyone need to do so.