02 Mar 05
Italian design consultancy Bertone has produced a concept car based on the Cadillac SRX crossover vehicle. The Villa "takes its inspiration from contemporary architecture", apparently, and has a minimalist, clean-lined interior with the focus on easy access and luxury. Said to be inspired by Renaissance palaces and the entrances of grand hotels (yes, really&) it has a "grand entrance" to the side with two large glass doors, which open hydraulically upwards and outwards to reveal an expanse of well-appointed cabin. This side entrance is said to be the focus of attention, rather than the car's front end: "the symmetrical cutting line of the doors indicates the interior as a crystal bubble or a transparent gem", says Bertone. Neither a saloon nor an MPV in shape, the Villa is claimed to represent the shape of the car of the future; it sits on huge plain-rimmed wheels, 22 inches across up front and 24 inches to the rear.
The Villa's interior is fitted with suitably high-quality materials, with a full complement of entertainment facilities and gadgets: a 23-inch video screen, a high-tech dash display with projected images from outside and traffic directions, maps and location info and a top-end surround-sound Bose hi-fi all feature. The seating layout consists of two slim shell-like front seats and a sofa-style rear seat, which has a central armrest which raises to reveal individual tables and a virtual keyboard, connected to one of two screens attached to the rear of the front seats, and two separately-reclining individual chairs to each side. Ambience is maintained by a relaxing interior lighting system with multi-coloured neon lights around the entrance area, central tunnel, dashboard and upper console.
