It seems that these days’ designers are very studiously taking a look at nature and trying to understand how it can help improve their own work. A lot of the modern day designs are being drawn from the experience of evolution and this one is no different. The Magna Innovative Lightweight Auto (MILA) concept car began as an idea in the design studio then quickly developed over the months into a full-fledged road-ready prototype.
Design Chief Andreas Wolfsgruber initiated this project, with Senior Designer Tim Doherty as his right-hand man. Influenced by the natural world and feeling inspired by the agility, speed, and look of the gecko lizard, the team began sketching the MILA concept car with fervor. The car is a lot more attractive than a Gecko and that is the reason why this actually here! I know plenty of people who would really hate anything that has to do with lizard or lizard family, but I am not one of them and so I have no problem with this.
Like a gecko, whose fat little belly and stuck-out hands keep him glued to road, the team wanted to design a car with the same basic form. The gecko inspiration fuelled the team’s original vision of the MILA concept car being an all-weather Formula 1 vehicle. Another initial requirement for this environmentally friendly sports car was that it be propelled by a compressed natural gas engine, a realistic alternative to the hybrid engine trend. Even this was achieved to pretty good extent. Now one hopes that the car is as big with people as it has been with critics.
