The problem is some of those concept drawings do look great as concepts -- but translated into reality could look quite cartoonish -- like some prop from the set of Batman or something. The market is very conservative ....and these products also have to translate well globally across many cultures -- they are compelled to play it safe for commercial reasons.

You are right, however, it is interesting to know that the sports car segment that Lamborghini, Porsche, and Ferrari is probably so much fun for designers, becasue in reality they can pretty much translate what is on paper to real life.

I would hope that BMW, MB, and Audi would do this with their Sports line, however, it makes sense why they cannot for simple reasons such as cost effectiveness.

...Rolls-Royce have also been quite adventurous -- I think the next generation of Maybachs is going to be much more exciting.

It is really nice to experience these segments. You are right about RR, I can't believe I over looked them. Interestingly enough, they are appealing to conservative business owners, but they have some sort of lee-way in taking risks with design.

Very true, but don't you think that the price tag of these exotic design elements is one of the main reasons why they don't integrate these elements into the final production models? It's obvious that they didn't give the CL the more 'flashy' looking steering wheel, because (1) this would have increased the development/production cost (2) this would have set the CL too far apart from its 4-door-brother, the S-class. Not only do they have to create a connection with the past (like f.e. BMW does, by using the kidney grills, Hoffmeister kink, 4-eyed head lights, ...), but also within their model range (by using similar interior elements in related models).

Your statement is not only valid for exclusive brands as Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari, but also for the more affordable brands.

I remember reading an interview with Walter da Silva, at the time he left Alfa Romeo for the VAG group. He said something like: "For designers, it's a bigger challenge to create a brand identity from scratch (like was needed for Seat) than to work for brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and others, which have a long history and a heritage that must be respected when designing new models."

So, for a brand like Seat, there were relatively less restrictions enforced on the design. As a consequence, original ideas could be easier translated into the production models than would have been the case with brands that have to stay true to their 'roots'.

That is absolutely true El Zorro -- the financial costs involved with things like that steering wheel and other details could be several times what the final ones are worth -- in the end a lot comes down to costs -- I guess as car fans we sometimes forget that these car makers are really just businesses that need to sell their products to keep going.

Ah! Why didn't they design the profile like that?? It's gorgeous! Especially the dipping trunk!

The floating hood on the actual production car seems too bulbous on top angles

But I'm growing used to it

Dear Alex(Alexander,or Aleksei in Russian):
It's was very nice of you to post here some nice images of the 'entwicklung' (development) stages (phases) of a design,from an Idea sketch,thru design sketch and illustration,to 2 & 3 D computer graphics, inc. the use of "Wacom" Intuos pressure sensitive drawing tablet by which the artist/designer feeds the design sketch(or drawing),or illustration direct to the computer 2D CG software program,then to the various stages of clay modelling,inc. the final stage of epoxy resin/ color covering of the clay model (typically 1/5th scale),then a projection of design sketches & 3D into a 'Power wall',as anyone could see,it's a team work,I hope that My friends who enjoy your previous post,there You posted the images, may get better(and clearer ) Idea,or understanding of the actual development proccess,and...'ll stop to ask me why I'm not a millioner yet?!.
They often have no idea(or concept) of the facts,of teamwork,&shared profits from projects.
However there're some additional steps that weren't mentioned which are full scale(1 to1) model and a mule test,then Prototype,then prototype testing in various climates,often winter testing done in both Lappland(Above Roveniemi of Finland,as well as Finno & Russo Karelia),as well as Siberia (Sibir in Russian),Hot weather testing done in Arizona & death valley California (not far from Furnace creek's 'oasis',that's when we've coined 'Up the creek')!.Hope to meet you o'er there in mid July,Maybe sometimes AMG div. of MB may or will consider to test its tuned uo 'packaged' versions of Mercedes Benz cars there,as summer's temps. there hover about +120 Degrees Fahrenheit(Turbo compressed Engines are typically getting hotter,so sometimes comstruction materials may requires some exotic ' composite materials in order for to compensate for the higher then average heath,among the sub particles some molecules of porceline(actually there other word that I forgot,but same material for heat dissipation as the shingles of the space shuttle),Don't forget to bring a 'Sprite' or 'Dr. Pepper',or even a 'coke' with You & mini refrigerator!.
(I was just thinking of 'Autodesk' or Alias' as it was known before 3D software programs,that includes a renderer,and even ray tracer,it'll be a good hobby for any aspiring designers to start with).

Konichi Wah!'(Ohayo Gezaimas)!.
Extremely appropriate compliment for the design team,unfortunately some abstract 'artists' are more popular!.
please enjoy the rendered 3d in my avatar,as you're is an aspiring artist,I would like to suggest (or advice) you to download some free 2D and 3D even ray tracing software program/s please note the system requirements prior to download,as your computer may,or may not meet the minimal system requrements(Then it'll render the downloaded software program useless,or at best slow) at least,and let's all enjoy your art (inc. Automotive art),
By The Way:the rendered 3D in my avatar is WIP (Work In Progress),and the focus is not only the futuristic cargo plane,or even the fuselage being loaded into it,but the giant loading Truck (in light blue,or Azzure color),in French it's said (or rather sung);mon amour est Bleu!.(The giant loader truck,I'm not so sure if it entered into production yet,But I'm aware of the facts that the wing sections of this giant cargo plane'll be manufactured in Japan,by 'Subaru' parent co. Fuji heavy Industries, possibly in Yokohama.Nihon/Nippon Guo(Japan)