The Acura Stealth was designed by Alex Chou, a 2008 graduate of the transportation design course at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.
The Stealth was designed to fit under the NSX in Acura's line up based on a shared platform with the Honda S2000. The front-mid engine layout of the Stealth is coupled to Acura's SuperHandling All-wheel Drive system that distributes the optimum amount of torque not only between the front and rear axles but also between the left and right rear wheels. The system's direct yaw control helps reduce understeer to enhance steering accuracy and add to total cornering power.
The Acura Stealth was partially influenced by the spirit of the Gumball 3000 Rally. Therefore, the car is an accomplished sports car which also offers the comforts and luxuries premium car buyers have come to expect. The sleek styling of the Acura Stealth is designed to mimic some of the features of the F117 Nighthawk stealth jet. This is especially evident in the heavy use of triangular shapes in many areas of the vehicle, including the headlights, grille, exhausts, taillights and interior features. The twisted surfaces of the Acura Stealth concept (door panels, rear quarter panel etc.) which are inspired by modern architecture, are intended to add sophistication to the overall design.
One of the more unusual design features of the Acura Stealth is the triangular window cutting into the left of the engine cover. This changes color depending on engine rpm. Powering the Acura Stealth is a V6 engine backed up by an electric motor to improve fuel economy.
The interior of the Acura Stealth is extremely driver focused. The dash and center console are aimed directly at the driver, and the bold use of color clearly separates the driver and passenger zones.
Back in the late 1990s, when Lamborghini were starting to realise they needed a replacement for the ageing Diablo, they started reviewing design proposals from various automotive design firms. Zagato’s offering was the Zagato L147 SuperDiablo, or as it was to be later known, the Lamborghini Canto. The Lamborghini Canto first appeared in 1998, it arrived only two years after another Zagato designed Lamborghini concept had been unveiled, the Diablo-based Raptor. The cars shared a number of similar features, including the wraparound windows, triangular lateral air intakes, and trademark double-bubble roof. However of the two, the earlier Raptor was probably the better looking. Clearly Ferdinand Piech – head of the Volkswagen Group – thought so too. After VW bought Lamborghini in 1999, one of his first decisions was to review the Canto’s development and redesign the concept. The car was re-engineered and the rear extensively restyled to include smaller air intakes. The engine was also up