Photo: Ningbo Zhang on Behance
Whenever there's a list of the most beautiful cars ever created, the Jaguar E-Type is bound to make an appearance, usually pretty close to the top.
The legendary British automobile did not invent curvy lines, but it did find a way to arrange them that's impossibly pleasing to the eye. Despite its aerodynamic slipperiness, the E-Type will do a mighty fine job of holding one's eyes fixed onto its streamlined body, regardless of the decade the viewing took place.
It is one of those iconic models that even people with little to no interest in cars will recognize immediately. They might not know its name - or think it's a Ferrari - but they will find that shape familiar. If not, then you can rejoice for them because they get to make an extraordinary discovery that'll make their lives a more beautiful place.
Ningbo Zhang is doing his bit to keep the memory of the E-Type alive by designing a tribute to Britain's best-known sports car of the '60s. However, the London-based artist isn't taking the traditional route. Actually, he's not even using wheels for his vehicle, so there's that to consider.
As the name would suggest - Manta -, Zhang's inspiration for this complete reinterpretation comes from underwater. The large and benign sea creatures have long been amazing everyone who came across them - much like the E-Type, in a way - due to their peculiar shape and movement. But while other cars that bore this name before had very little else in common with them, the Jaguar Manta is proudly displaying its roots.
The concept keeps very little from the original E-Type beyond its curvy nature and streamlined silhouette. The resemblances with the marine being, on the other hand, are much more poignant. You can put this largely on the vehicle's lack of wheels, which Zhang took care of by bestowing his creation with levitating abilities.
Yes, the artist says we're looking at a maglev (magnetic levitation), a type of propulsion used by high-speed trains that - given the current technology, at least - requires special tracks to work. Given the principle, however, it'll require a special type of road in the future as well, so this one is firmly planted in make-belief territory.
From a design point of view, though, it can't really be ignored. It looks gorgeous from absolutely any angle, and Zhang even bothered to give it a nice and futuristic interior. I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what was going on with the cockpit, but I like it, nevertheless. If they do make flying cars fifty years from now, I hope they stumble upon this design from 2020 and give it a reboot because it would sure fit such a vehicle.
It is one of those iconic models that even people with little to no interest in cars will recognize immediately. They might not know its name - or think it's a Ferrari - but they will find that shape familiar. If not, then you can rejoice for them because they get to make an extraordinary discovery that'll make their lives a more beautiful place.
Ningbo Zhang is doing his bit to keep the memory of the E-Type alive by designing a tribute to Britain's best-known sports car of the '60s. However, the London-based artist isn't taking the traditional route. Actually, he's not even using wheels for his vehicle, so there's that to consider.
As the name would suggest - Manta -, Zhang's inspiration for this complete reinterpretation comes from underwater. The large and benign sea creatures have long been amazing everyone who came across them - much like the E-Type, in a way - due to their peculiar shape and movement. But while other cars that bore this name before had very little else in common with them, the Jaguar Manta is proudly displaying its roots.
The concept keeps very little from the original E-Type beyond its curvy nature and streamlined silhouette. The resemblances with the marine being, on the other hand, are much more poignant. You can put this largely on the vehicle's lack of wheels, which Zhang took care of by bestowing his creation with levitating abilities.
Yes, the artist says we're looking at a maglev (magnetic levitation), a type of propulsion used by high-speed trains that - given the current technology, at least - requires special tracks to work. Given the principle, however, it'll require a special type of road in the future as well, so this one is firmly planted in make-belief territory.
From a design point of view, though, it can't really be ignored. It looks gorgeous from absolutely any angle, and Zhang even bothered to give it a nice and futuristic interior. I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what was going on with the cockpit, but I like it, nevertheless. If they do make flying cars fifty years from now, I hope they stumble upon this design from 2020 and give it a reboot because it would sure fit such a vehicle.
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