Mercedes-Benz has recently announced plans to go ahead with the electric-drive SLS Gullwing. If this car makes it to final production, it will join cars like the much talked about Tesla Roadster in the electric sportscar category. What is interesting about both of these vehicles is the strong design element. The original 300 SL Gullwing, introduced in 1954, is unquestionably one of the most beautiful cars that Mercedes-Benz has ever built. Forget about the mileage, performance, and other green credentials, people will want to own this car because they are going to look good driving it. Similarly, although not as universally agreed upon, the Tesla Roadster is very attractive, taking design cues from the Lotus Elise (from whom it derives its chassis technology). There is also the upcoming all-electric Mini, which has received tremendous interest and will undoubtedly be a hot seller when released for mass consumption.
It got us thinking about the use of previously successful (and often iconic) car designs to launch new electric vehicles (and no, we haven’t given thought to anything other than aesthetics, and perhaps vehicle size). It is both a chance for automotive manufacturers to play off of their heritage and introduce electric vehicles to the public in a novel way.
Here is a short wishlist:
300 SL Gullwing
BMW 2002
Porsche 356
Aston Martin DB5
Jaguar XKE
Volvo P1800
Via Wired
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