The United Nude Lo Res Car, a recipient of the 2016 Wallpaper Design Award, stands as a powerful icon of minimalist automotive design. This vehicle emerged from the Lo Res Project, a concept signature to the brand that explores reduction and abstraction in design. The core principle of the Lo Res method involves iteratively redesigning an object, each step decreasing its 3D resolution to yield increasingly fragmented and abstract forms. In the case of the Lo Res Car, this process began with the iconic Lamborghini Countach, a design masterpiece from the early 1970s by Marcello Gandini for Bertone. This approach to design essentially results in what could be considered ‘Nude Cars’ – vehicles stripped down to their most essential forms, revealing the underlying design language.
More than just a means of transportation, the Lo Res Car functions as a conceptual design study. It challenges conventional automotive aesthetics by presenting a radically different approach to car design. The transparent polycarbonate capsule encasing the two in-line seats – with the passenger positioned behind the driver – offers a truly unique and immersive driving experience. This ‘nude’ approach allows occupants to feel more connected to their surroundings, enhancing the sensation of movement.
Although equipped with an electric drivetrain, the Lo Res Car’s performance is intentionally limited to 50 km/h. Its design prioritizes the experimental and radical over street legality, further emphasizing its status as a design object rather than a conventional vehicle. This focus on pure design expression is a key element in understanding these ‘nude cars’ – they are about exploring form and concept without the constraints of traditional automotive norms.
The influence of the Lo Res Car extends beyond the design world, permeating into popular culture. Notably, it garnered significant attention through its appearance in Rich The Kid’s “New Freezer” music video featuring Kendrick Lamar, amassing over 50 million views. This integration into hip-hop culture underscores the car’s appeal as a symbol of cutting-edge design and unconventional style.
Rem D Koolhaas, Creative Director and Founder of United Nude, highlighted the synergy between the Lo Res Car’s design philosophy and the music video’s creative direction. He noted the shared spirit of experimentation and boundary-pushing, suggesting that Rich The Kid’s lyrics about a “Space Coupe” were indeed a fitting description of this unique vehicle.
The Lo Res Car has also been showcased in prominent exhibitions, including “The Disruptors” exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles in 2019 and GRAND BASEL in Switzerland in 2017. These appearances in renowned venues further solidify its status as a significant contribution to contemporary design discourse.
In conclusion, the United Nude Lo Res Car exemplifies a radical approach to automotive design, pushing the boundaries of form and function. Its ‘nude car’ aesthetic, born from the Lo Res Project, challenges our perceptions of what a car can be and represents a compelling vision of minimalist and conceptual vehicle design.
