Did We Just Invent the PERFECT Car?

AutoEsoterica July 17, 2025
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AutoEsoterica

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If you like vintage cars, vehicle design and the hidden history of the automobile, AutoEsoterica is the place for you. Subscribe for professional-quality videos you can't get anywhere else!

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Normally on “Drawing Conclusions” with Jason White we analyze the iconic products of other car designers, but this time we turn the tables as WE become the designers. Jodi Lai and Dan Ilika of AutoTrader.ca join us for a collaboration in which we take their vision for the perfect SUV and bring it to life. Dan has a detailed list of wants and needs for his ideal vehicle, from a 10-inch ground clearance for easy off-roading to a stepped roofline like the Nissan Xterra. Jason, a car designer and professor at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) will take the concept from the sketch phase to final renderings, and along the way, he'll discuss what's practical and what might never make it into production. He'll also attempt to take all of the "Dan Wagon's" disparate features and combine them into an attractive package. Will we succeed or will we end up re-inventing "The Homer" all over again? Craig Cole presides over all this madness, so join us for a very special deep dive into car design and product development. Get vehicle reviews, automotive how-tos, and so much more: @autotrader_ca 🛒 Browse our car-themed merch: https://autoesoterica.myspreadshop.com/ 🏁 Learn about Jason White's International Simracing Organisation: https://internationalsimracing.org/ 🤑Like what you see? Join us on Patreon! It’s easy to do and free: https://www.patreon.com/c/AutoEsoterica 📖Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:01 - A Very Special Episode 02:25 - What is Dan's Perfect Car? 07:00 - Thoughts on the Dan Wagon Criteria 10:55 - The Dog Eye View 12:03 - Exterior Sketch 16:01 - Upper Body Shape 19:11 - Controversial Ford Feature 21:53 - Body Cladding 24:53 - Easter Egg that Almost Was 27:35 - Interior Sketch 29:58 - Matching Aesthetics? 33:43 - Reporting for Duty 39:00 - Where to Next? 41:14 - The Rendering Process 43:30 - Why Barn Doors? 46:24 - The Real-World Design Process 49:04 - Look Within Your Self 53:36 - After the Render 55:05 - Let's Face It 58:16 - The Perfect Vehicle 1:00:50 - Conclusion Craig Cole has been a full-time automotive journalist for nearly 20 years and has covered the industry in countless ways. He’s worked at Autoline, Autoguide, Roadshow by CNET, EV Pulse, TopSpeed.com and is a co-founder of AutoEsoterica. Ben Sanders is also a co-founder, though he’s also the executive producer of all AutoEsoterica content. He records videos, edits them, makes graphics, and does motion animation. He, too, has worked in the automotive space for 20 years and is famed for the quality of his work and the attention to detail he puts into everything he does. 📽️This video was produced by Pixel Shift Media. To make a little of your own audio-visual magic including videography, editing, motion graphics and design, visit https://pixelshiftmedia.com/ or contact executive producer Ben Sanders directly: bensanders [at] pixelshiftmedia.com. #cardesign #productdevelopment #nissanxterra

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