I know, I know, Alpine is technically an electronics company, but they’ve created quite a few pieces of automotive art recently to showcase their products. Their latest creation, unveiled at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), is the Imprint RLS. Starting with a Mercedes Benz R500 for inspiration, which donated only a roof to the final design, Alpine’s team of in-house R & D guys shaped the entire body of the car by hand using fiberglass to give it a “sophisticated, flowing shape”. The color is a custom-mixed BASF R-M Carizzma Candy Cherry Cola Brown which does a great job of highlighting the subtle details that went into each part of this creation. One of the biggest details (and I do mean biggest) is the wheels, 26 inchers in the front and 30 inchers in the rear. Another big feature of the design was going from four to only two doors. Each door “is actually connected to a seat, and each door/seat module is on a motorized rotating platform that automatically rotates the seat outward – and the door inward – to allow the driver access to the completely custom-made interior”. Once inside, passengers are treated to an entire slew of Alpine’s new Imprint sound technology, perfectly tuned to the design of the interior. If CDs just aren’t your style, the Imprint can also accept an iPod and has SIRIUS Satellite Radio. Having seen the Alpine Mini Cooper firsthand, I can definitely say that these guys do some great work, and truly create some one-of-a-kind creations. Alpine, if you’re listening, I’d gladly volunteer my car for any future shows you might want to create something for.
[Via: Autoblog]
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[Autoblog - Alpine Sinister Six]
[Crutchfield - Alpine Mini Cooper]
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