Maestro WORKS - In our journey through the remarkable legacy of
Luigi Colani, a trailblazing German industrial designer and futurist, we delve into the realm of bio-design, a concept he pioneered in the 1960s.
Colani's influence extends across diverse domains, from ballpoint pens and televisions to furniture, kitchens, cameras, and notably, motor vehicles.
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| The 1970 Mercedes-Benz Colani C112 prototype, based on the Mercedes-Benz C111 with a rotary engine, stands out as a testament to his avant-garde vision. (Picture from: EternalConsumptionEngine) |
Colani's foresight in automobile design, evidenced by his successful trials at the
Bonneville Salt Flats, set the stage for his ambitious dreams of testing his creations at the renowned
24 Hours of Le Mans endurance racing event. The designer left an indelible mark by envisioning and crafting car designs for iconic brands such as
Lamborghini Miura Le Mans Concept,
Ford GT80,
BMW M2,
Colani Stingray, and
Mazda Colani Le Mans prototypes.
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| The 1970 Mercedes-Benz Colani C112 prototype's rear featured with a giant wiper and a series of exhaust pipes, boasts radical aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.2. (Picture from: EternalConsumptionEngine) |
This discussion focuses on the captivating
Colani's Le Mans concept car bearing the
Mercedes-Benz insignia. Commencing his research in 1970,
Colani explored the aerodynamic design of car bodies, directing airflow toward the vehicle's center while employing two wings to manipulate the flow. The
Mercedes-Benz Colani C112 prototype, based on the
Mercedes-Benz C111 with a rotary engine, stands out as a testament to his avant-garde vision.
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The 1985 Mercedes-Benz W201/190 Le Mans Concept maintaining a sleek, low-slung profile, and exuded a more refined aesthetic compared to its predecessor, the Colani C112. (Picture from: ConceptCars)
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The distinctive nature of the
Colani Le Mans concept lies in its resemblance to a jet fighter rather than a conventional car. The driver assumes an almost reclined or prone position within its flamboyant, oversized frame — a spectacle akin to a thousand flamingos performing in platform shoes. The rear, characterized by a giant wiper and a series of exhaust pipes, boasts radical aerodynamics with
a drag coefficient of 0.2, surpassing even the
Porsche 917 of the same era.
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| The 1985 Mercedes-Benz W201/190 Le Mans Concept's rear incorporated smooth, rounded lines to enhance aerodynamics. (Picture from: ConceptCars) |
Advancing into the 1980s, Colani's design odyssey persisted with the unveiling of the Mercedes-Benz W201/190 Le Mans Concept in 1985. While maintaining a sleek, low-slung profile, this model exuded a more refined aesthetic compared to its predecessor, the Colani C112. The full-scale, white-painted concept retained the signature absence of a grille, featuring a front fascia reminiscent of classic Mercedes-Benz designs. At the rear, Colani continued to incorporate smooth, rounded lines to enhance aerodynamics.
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| The 1991 Mercedes-Benz W201/190 Le Mans Concept introducing slanted-style headlights, a typical modern Mercedes-Benz grille, and a striking orange hue. (Picture from: WeirdWheels) |
In 1991,
Colani revised the
Mercedes-Benz W201/190 Le Mans Concept, introducing slanted-style headlights, a typical modern
Mercedes-Benz grille, and a striking orange hue. Although the planned engine for this iteration remains undisclosed (seems like it still utilizes the donor's drivetrain), the design evolution showcased
Colani's commitment to innovation.
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| Although the planned engine for this iteration remains undisclosed (seems like it still utilizes the donor's drivetrain), the design evolution showcased Colani's commitment to innovation. (Picture from: WeirdWheels) |
Despite no lukewarm reception from investors for the
1970 Mercedes-Benz C112 prototypes and subsequent models in 1985 and 1991,
these all creations serve as windows into
Colani's expansive world of imagination and creativity. Today, they stand as testaments to a maestro whose visionary designs transcended their time, leaving an enduring impact on the landscape of industrial design.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AMAZINGCLASSICCARS | 2H-LEMANS | DARKROASTEDBLEND | ETERNALCONSUMPTIONENGINE ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
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