Help AROnline design the next MG ZR
Have your say in shaping how the next MG ZR would look like.
Thanks to talented up and coming car designer Alejandro Cáceres from Argentina, newly qualified in Vehicle Design, AROnline has come up with an exciting new project. We're going to create a new sporting, MG-badged, B segment hatchback. We'd like to produce something you'd genuinely like to drive and so are keen for our readers to play a part in the design process.
You can get involved and tell us what you'd like to see in this MG ZR for the 21st century by using the Feedback facility at the end of the article, posting on our Forum and/or voting in the Readers' Poll at the end of this article.
21st century MG ZR
Redefining the breed
Alejandro Cáceres wants to design your next car...
The concept is pretty straightforward - we are going to produce a re-body of the basic R3 architecture and make the new version look utterly contemporary. Given that the dynamic package can be tweaked satisfactorily and the K- or N-Series engines may have some life left in them, the programme could be implemented for less than £500m.
A snip these days, even if there are those who might say that it can't be done. Alejandro's plan's a simple one - he's produced a series of design sketches, each sitting on the existing R3/Jewel/X30 platform, and would like to know which you reckon should be progressed into a set of full CAD renderings.
Solid shoulder lines and a definite family-themed front end make this look a contemporary proposition.
Rear end shows a definite family likeness, but advances the design by about a decade...
These first three sketches show the three door R3 – the more comprehensive of Alejandro’s two redesigns. With mixed influences (such as some Italian hints at the rear windows), Alejandro has, in our opinion, produced a design which resembles an MGB at the rear but has hints of the ill-fated RDX60 at the front end. Alejandro comments: "This tries to be contemporary and refreshing but not something overly innovative." Alejandro clearly recognises the progressive but slightly conservative nature of the target buyers for his car.
You can see the heritage in this sketch...
The next two sketches show a more economical approach for the five-door version, making use of the maximum amount of the original R3 bodyshell. The only panels that will need replacing are the bonnet, boot, wings and bumpers. Alejandro says: "I'm not too fond of the rear end (of this design proposal) so there's lots of room for improvement there."
Finally, to the interior. The sketch below shows that the original MGR 2004 interior facelift was very effective in terms of aesthetics (if not quality) and so Alejandro reckons that the only additions needed are an added central climate control unit with integrated GPS and a much-needed reworked instrument cluster.
He concludes modestly: "Bear in mind that, though these designs don’t look too innovative, they were conceived almost two years ago..."
The next step will be to produce a number of more detailed sketches followed by CAD renderings so we now need your input, folks. What would you like to see on AROnline's new millennium MG ZR replacement? We might, with Alejandro’s help, be able to produce some more fascinating might-have beens or, even, maybes if we receive a positive response from you all.
About Alejandro Cáceres:
Alejandro is 23 years old and is based in Buenos Airies in Argentina. A true petrolhead, he's just completed a two-year Automotive Design Course at university and now works as an UNIX IT Administrator.
For the main body of his design course and thesis, Alejandro was required to come up with a new design based on an existing platform.
He came up with three ideas:
· A Honda NSX-R replacement (the one chosen by his Tutor) · A Mercedes-Benz E-Class/CLS style saloon/coupe (which came a close second) · A Rover R3 replacement (which his Tutor dismissed as being too conventional)
The NSX-R therefore progressed from design sketches, through schematic drawings, to renderings, all the way to a quarter-scale model which, we reckon, looks terrific. We will be unable to produce our R3 in model form but reckon that the CAD renderings should be more than good enough to demonstrate what can be achieved with an existing platform and some informed input from AROnline’s knowledgeable readership.
You can see more illustrations of the long and complex process on this forum thread.
Alejandro starts work on a Tomcat version.
As requested in the Feedback section, here's the beginnings of the Tomcat version.
Alejandro develops the theme as suggested by you
The feedback's been coming in thick and fast, and Alejandro's been working to develop your suggestions. What are your thoughts? Is he going in the right direction? As ever, please feed back and tell us how your next MG should look.
Here's a rework of the Tomcat takng into account what the readers thought. A more elegant grille/headlights arrangement.
ZT-inspired headlights arrangement but with a kind of 'Peugeot-esque' look
A subtle reworking of the rear end, with the shoulder-line lowered a bit to try to make it less bottom-heavy
The design's going 3D
Alejandro's been busy on his new R3 design. Here, he comments: "I'm skipping the Photoshop renderings altogether and starting with the CAD renderings so I can start with the 3D model ASAP. Let me know what you think of the tech drawing and add your comments accordingly."
Schematics of the three-door hatchback version of AR's new car...
Our new MG is being rendered, and looks promising...
Alejandro has been hard at work with our new MG and has come up with some 3D renderings. He writes: "Just finished a preview 3D body, to see if the proportions/reflections/etc are OK. I think it's looking good! Bear in mind that this is a preliminary shape (a quick hack made in two days), and that the definite shape (with door/boot/bonnet creases, full headlamps/grille arrangement, etc) will be done later on."
However, as always, we need feedback. "Let me know what you think of these. If feedback is positive, I'll move on to more photorealistic 3D renderings," Alejandro added...
Mesh rendering ready to build up...
The front view...
In profile with sculpting.
Curvature of the bonnet looks sexy.
And the front three quarter view reveals a chunky looking three-door hatch.
Those curvaceous flanks certainly make a change from the original R3.
Now with texture mapping...
Is the rear screen deep enough?
Aggressive styling viewed from an aggressive perspective.
Would it sell? What do you think? Let us know...
The 3D rendering comtinues...
Alejandro's been busy with the new ZR, even if the web page has been rather quiet of late but, as he says himself: "Here are some more updates. I'm working on the external and internal panels right now and have managed to finish what you see here. Next up, I'm doing the roof, A-, B- and C-pillars, the bonnet and the tailgate."
New front inner and outer wings are designed - including crossmembers.
Inner wing detail.
Which is then applied to the rest of the bodyshell.
Now rendered in hi-res.
The doors are added into the mix.
A reprofiled bonnet is added...
Now rendered in hi-res. The bumpers next - and we'd like your input into their design.
Onto the floorpan...
It's a small step design-wise, but an important one in terms of the overall structure. And here, Alejandro has been careful to ensure that he uses the same hard points as the R3 that he's based his car on.
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