In the modern design of cars, sport cars have always implemented sleeker design elements to better stand out compared to regular sedans and SUV’s. The 2-door coupe is a staple in this type of design due to the sportier aesthetic they carry. However, some people crave more and are inspired by race cars from Formula 1 and NASCAR. Take the aesthetic of sports cars, completely modify them with racing elements, and they are transformed into what I am classifying as the urban race car aesthetic.
2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS (Motor Trend). An unmodified coupe demonstrating a car without the urban race car aesthetic.
Le Mans Modified NASCAR Camaro (Car and Driver). Same car model as above, but modified to compete in Le Mans. Design elements from this type of pure race car are borrowed into the urban race car aesthetic.
The urban racing aesthetic can be categorized by a few design elements. For one, form is a huge factor contributing to this aesthetic. Extension modifications can be performed to side body panels to better conform to larger wheels or add form. Front and rear bumpers get extensive additions of aggressive stylized aerodynamic components to further build this aesthetic. One staple of the aerodynamics is the large wing spoiler imitating that of actual race cars. The next main factor of the urban racing aesthetic is the color. Color has a way of influencing a person’s mind into experiencing emotions. Specifically for this aesthetic, the types of colors used try to be eye-catching and distinctive to give the feeling of surprise. Colors that are bright and vibrant are common for these types of cars. Some cars even take it a step further and use chrome or neon colors to be even more distinct.
Nissan GTR with Libertywalk’s body kit (Libertywalk). The design elements such as more aerodynamic components, extended body panels, and unique color are showcased by this Nissan GTR in an urban racing aesthetic.
This aesthetic started emerging in the early 2000’s, prominently appearing on Japanese car models. Cars such as the Nissan GTR and the Toyota Supra are huge icons that started the aesthetic. The biggest influence came from the film Fast and Furious. In this first film, a modified 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse (pictured below) was featured with all the design aspects fitting the urban racing aesthetic. The car has aggressive aerodynamic components, extended body panels on the sides, a large spoiler, and to top it off, is colored in neon green. This example personifies the start and popularity of this aesthetic. The original, unmodified Mitsubishi Eclipse is also pictured below, albeit without the urban racing aesthetic.
Mitsubishi Eclipse (Fast and Furious 2001). Design elements such as extended bottom body, large rear wing spoiler, and neon green color can be observed on this Mitsubishi Eclipse.
1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX (Kelly Blue Books). Car as produced by manufacturer.
Furthermore, due to how popular this aesthetic has become, even high end supercar manufacturers have taken inspiration and include this anesthetic’s design elements in their modern production cars. Take Lamborghini and their Murcielago that came out in 2001, and compare that to the most recent Revuelto. The Revuelto has more aggressive design elements and more distinctive colors to conform to the popularity of the urban racing aesthetic as seen when comparing the two models. Ford with their recent Mustang Dark Horse has also taken design elements from the aesthetic.
Lamborghini Murcielago (Lamborghini.com). Variety of color has always been available from Lamborghini.
Lamborghini Revuelto (Lamborghini Car Configurator). The newest model, with more aggressive styling and even more colors matching the urban racing aesthetic.
- Motor Trend, https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2016-chevrolet-camaro-ss-review-verdict/#google_vignette
- Car and Driver, https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42954186/nascar-modified-camaro-le-mans-details/
- Liberty Walk, https://libertywalk.shop/body-kits/nissan/gtr-r35-ver3-wing/
- Fast and Furious (2001), Clipped from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opCaj2FK1l0
- Kelly Blue Books, https://www.kbb.com/mitsubishi/eclipse/1995/gsx-coupe-2d/
- Lamborghini, https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/history/murcielago
- Lamborghini Configurator, https://configurator.lamborghini.com/configurator/intro/carline/32006-20111?lang=eng&country=us
- Featured Image from Media Library, https://www.aesdes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DaigoSaitoCar.jpg
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4 Comments. Leave new
While I have seen these types of cars before the aesthetic you have proposed is a new term to me, and it makes perfect sense. I really enjoy how you talked about the different realms of it, from private hobbyist’s modding their cars to super car companies releasing cars that fit the aesthetic, are you planning on modding your new Chevy to fit this kind of aesthetic over time? I wonder how this aesthetic is going to evolve over time? Will more car companies pick it up?
As you have seen my new Camaro, I currently plan on keeping it mostly unmodified as I need a daily driver (for now). It is really interesting as to how this aesthetic has evolved in the past two decades, keeping the same characteristics but modifying the car in different ways. Additionally, with how popular this aesthetic is among car enthusiasts, more and more car companies are picking up on this aesthetic and implementing smaller aspects. Take the Ford Mustang Dark Horse I mentioned, with its updated front displaying more aggressive styling. Also look at companies such as Hyundai and Toyota adding aggressive styling to their recent lineup (such as Toyota’s GR Corolla).
Bryan, this is an excellent post breaking down what you call the Urban Racecar. Not only did you pick amazing examples of the scene, you also explained the significance in the design choices as well. I particularly like how you mentioned how the design choices affected engineering principles like aerodynamics. I’m curious to know why you think supercar manufactures like Lamborghini would be interested in the Urban Racecar aesthetic.
Here are my thoughts as to why supercar companies, such as Lamborghini, are picking up the Urban Racecar aesthetic. The aesthetic has become very popular in the car enthusiast community, and is very prominent on social media due to its eye-catching features. Most sporty car models available through the major car manufacturers have started showing this aesthetic, or at least parts of it, in their updates to the styling of their sporty models. Now, supercar makes such as Lamborghini always stand on top of the car enthusiast world, as it is a dream of many enthusiasts to drive these cars. Add in this aesthetic that is very popular and you give these hobbyists another reason to get these cars. Granted, not everyone likes this aesthetic, but having small elements from it allows these supercar makes to get a bigger fanbase behind their cars and to get more customers.