SEAMO's 2006 Concept Vehicle of the Year

A Surprise Winner
Words and Photos By Steve Purdy
TheAutoChannel.com
Detroit Bureau

The South East Automotive Media Organization took advantage of the Wards Auto Interiors Show in Detroit this week to present the 2006 North American Concept Vehicle of the Year awards. This five-year-old program honors vehicles most likely to shape automobiles, sport-utilities and small trucks of the future. Eligible for the awards are concept vehicles shown at the major US motor shows plus the Toronto show.

Tom Kelly, SEAMO’s executive administrator, presented the awards in four categories plus a best-of-the-best award for the concept vehicle that garnered the greatest number of total votes of the two-dozen professional journalists who judged the competition. During the first round of voting the contestants are narrowed to four in each category then a final round of voting determines the winners.

In the “Production Preview” category, honoring vehicles that

are slated for, and near, production, the Aston Martin Rapide, a 4-door super sports car, or “luxo-coupe” and the sexy little Volvo C30, based on the iconic P1800ES sports car of the early 70s, shared honors. This is the first time there has ever been a tie in the competition. The C30 project began at Volvo in 2000 but no one intended or expected it to go further. The overwhelming response of journalists and the public convinced Volvo to take it all the way and will be in customer’s hands soon. The sleek Rapide is Aston Martin’s entry into the 2+2, mighty fast, 4-door sports car segment for customers with deep pockets.

The “Concept Car” cagtegory involves the most contenders. Of the 12 cars judged it was no surprise that the Chevy Camaro won the honors.

Chevy has done an admirable job of interpreting a classic 1969 design into today’s automotive environment. It has been paraded around the country and is almost universally considered a hit giving GM a badly needed boost in image and enthusiast interest. Camaro has won dozens of accolades and would be my pick for the overall win here.

The “Truck and SUV” category showcases utility, convenience and versatility as well as style. Winning this category is the exciting

Dodge Rampage pickup introduced at the Chicago show. “Dodge’s Rampage simply blows away preconceptions of what a pickup should be, must be, and establishes a benchmark for every future light duty pickup,” said juror, veteran journalist and regular contributor to TheAutoChannel.com, Thom Cannell. Rampage features Chrysler’s Stow-N- Go seating, dual-level cargo bed and brash styling.

The “Specialty Concept” category encompasses those vehicles outside the mainstream as well as those vehicles where the technology is the story rather than the package. Honored in this category is Fords Reflex sports car, introduced in Detroit in January in the shadow of so many other great products that it seemed almost ignored. I found the shape and the styling so attractive that I spent a half roll of film on it in Detroit.

Finally, the “2006 Most Significant Concept Vehicle” award goes to . . . (drum roll, please) . . . not Camaro . . . not Rampage . . . but the Ford Reflex, a technological marvel. Judges were enamored with

Reflex’s advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine - delivering up to 65 miles per gallon - solar panels, flexible interior made from synthetic and regenerated materials, and such advanced safety features as inflatable safety belts in the rear. Reflex also uses ground rubber from scrap athletic shoes, called Nike Grind, as insulation to reduce noise and vibration in the car's interior – all this technology with scissor doors and the unmistakably classic styling of a true sports car. Good call, I say.

Reflex has the distinction of being the first concept car ever in the five-year history of the awards to be unanimously chosen as a top-three pick by every member of the jury. Accepting for Ford and the design team was designer Pat Schiavone, who graciously acknowledged his own team but also talked about the design community as being a unique group, as exclusive a group in fact, as NBA players. “There are about as many professional auto designers in the world as there are NBA players,” he said. “And since many of us went to school together we’re like a family.” From this reporter’s experience, however, there is seldom much family resemblance among concept cars. The variety among this genre is amazing, and we look forward to these fresh concepts every year. © Steve Purdy, Shunpiker Productions, All Rights Reserved