Automotive

Transformable car concept makes the sportscar family friendly

Transformable car concept makes the sportscar family friendly
Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in wagon mode
Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in wagon mode
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Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in fastback mode
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Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in fastback mode
Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in wagon mode
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Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in wagon mode
Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept features a rear window that can be raised to provide extra luggage space
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Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept features a rear window that can be raised to provide extra luggage space
Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in pickup mode
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Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in pickup mode
Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in fastback mode
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Xelestine's transformable sportscar concept in fastback mode
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This design concept from Delaware-based industrial design firm Xelestine might appeal to family men of a certain age considering a sporty mid-life crisis automotive purchase but wanting to enjoy some of the family-friendly benefits of a wagon or pickup truck. Intended for a front-engine vehicle, the concept centers around the rear window that can be raised to switch from a fastback to a wagon, or can be folded to create a pickup truck.

The fastback to wagon system features two side triangular panels that retract into the C-pillars in fastback mode to provide a sportscar form factor with improved aerodynamics for better fuel economy. When loading the shopping or picking up the kids from school, the panels can be raised to provide extra rear luggage space. If you still need extra room, the firm has also designed a system that sees the rear window fold forward to give an open-top, rear cargo area similar to a pickup truck.

Xelestine has filed an international patent for its designs, but isn’t looking to produce the concepts itself. Rather, it is looking to attract the interest of manufacturers to help further develop the concept.

Both the fastback/wagon and fastback/pickup systems can be seen in the animations below.

Source: Xelestine

Fastback to Shooting Break

Fastback to Shooting Break

Fastback to Pickup Truck

Fastback to Pickup Truck

View gallery - 5 images
17 comments
17 comments
Nantha
As an amateur car stylist for most of my life (a field very close to my heart), i must say that this concept deserves a two thumbs up. The simple act of raising the fastback into a family car or estate is very practical. Especially possible with electrically blackening the glass.
Great!
Slowburn
A mini truck with a fragile complicated bed cover.
Philip Morgan
Old idea
I designed a very similar car based on a Honda Civic in 1975
Felix Bayer
Let's just hope some manufacturer will pick this and other ideas based on shape-changing cars up soon. There are real advantages to be explored
Bruce H. Anderson
What a concept! It just needs a cool name..like...um...Avalanche!
Luddite
An 80s Nissan Pulsar that you don't have to replace the hatch to convert?
Nanoman
Looks like a two-seater which, of course, means niche volume - not exactly what car manufacturers are going to be looking for with a family vehicle. "The perfect car for mid-life crisis" isn't the best marketing ploy either. My opinion: clever but a non-starter.
NatalieEGH
Depending on cost and fuel economy, I would definitely purchase it.
Like most people a pickup on rare occasions is exactly the vehicle I need. Now almost no rental place will let you rent a pickup for hauling. This is a nice solution. If I need too much, U-Haul, if small amounts this.
It really should make it so the back can fold down like on a regular pickup.
It should also have the ability to install back seats for when in wagon mode, or maybe they could be some how stored in the vehicle (in floor???) when in sports car or pickup mode.
Bryan Paschke
Over complicated. Sounds like a maintenance nightmare. Bets on if some part or parts will leak...a lot?
Richard D. McDowell
Ford did a concept of this in the '60s w/o the truck bit. Saw a picture on line the other day, but am not going waste time backtracking to find it.
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