2014 Delgiata Avarante—Plug-in Sport Sedan

 My 2014 Delgiata Avarante plug-in hybrid is a capable sports sedan as well as an efficient electric vehicle with room for four passengers and their luggage, accessible by a remote rear hatch. 

This is the newest member of the Deligata car company—my mythical manufacturer's entry in the burgeoning luxury electric 4-seat compact 5-door segment.

The "face" of Delgiata will consist of a mailslot upper grille with a brushed aluminum" pencil mustache" above with D-E-L-G-I-A-T-A letterspaced in chrome attached to it, teardrop headlights, and ample underbumper air intakes for the regenerative brakes and aero management. 

Delgiata is the first to retro the '80s with this simplistic and efficient aero-front end design, today rendered in carbon fiber. The monocoque is a mixture of carbon fiber, aluminum, and tailored high-strength steel for lightness.The brushed aluminum side cowl trim houses the access hatch for the plug-in charging outlet, proximity sensors for the side radar accident avoidance software and retracts at speed in conjunction with the aero- and HVAC-systems for ventilation. Simple clean-sided styling with careful cutline management, electronic rear coach doors, and full length panoramic glass roof are other Delgiata hallmarks. 

• Rear wheel drive-based platforms include electronic all wheel drive.
• Avarante is derived from "avant" and "variant." 
• Delgiate was "founded" ca 1967. I was ten years old.
• The company logo is a stylized spider. One of the earliest cars I drew in the beginning was the Delgiate Spider, a sports car. The logo is rendered in brushed aluminum with bright red carbonfiber inlays
• Chop began as a current generation Mercedes C Class sedan to get the proper rear wheel drive proportions to begin with.

Focus-sized Lincoln Convertible–the Capri is Back!

I probably should have waited to post this, spread them out a bit since I so rarely have time to work on "my cars" these days, but I finished this just after the Buick Regal Electra Touring, below, so here it is: the 2015 Lincoln MKE Capri convertible.

This would be a Focus-sized Lincoln, below the MKZ, but would include a convertible and coupe in addition to a sedan and crossover. I illustrated this one in the optional Pewter-and-Navy Luxury group, a nod to the fabulous Designer Editions of the past. The two tone paint would be separated on the side by a full-length chrome spear just below the window line, and both colors would have a silver-and-gold metallic flecked clearcoat to tie them together.

The interior would feature four bucket seats in all models, and would include optional fine fabrics in addition to leather, with one having button-tufted seats evocative of the '61 Lincoln's, themselves evocative of the fabulous Eames chairs of the Fifties.. There would be several choices of interior colors including mono- and duo-tones. Advertising would feature these fabrics and interior colors. Perhaps it would finally jolt the industry into offering something more than gray and beige leather.

"Electra" Becomes Buick's Plug-in Series Moniker

2015 Regal Electra Touring

Just as GS is Buick's performance line, "Electra" becomes the division's nameplate for plug-in electric vehicles. There would be Verano, Regal, and LaCrosse Electra models eventually. Above, the Regal Electra Touring, the new wagon version of the Regal sedan. Also shown above is the topline "Diamond Blue Luxury Group," which includes exclusive silver-blue alloy and trim. Also included is Buick's new "Wicker Canework" embossed carbon fiber for accent. Doors are accessed via electronic keyfob and touchpads on the B- and C-pillar. The blanked-off aero grille insert has subtle embossing to catch the light evoking Buick's trademark vertical grille bars. Two bonus points for anyone recognixing the 1967 Wildcat's rocker panel mounted "Ventiports," which now house the radar units for the 360° proximity sensors used in conjunction with other accident avoidance systems.