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We have witnessed a torrential and exciting downpour of automotive design in 2022 at Yanko Design. Each automobile was innovative and brought us something we had never seen or experienced before. From blistering speed to dashing looks to impenetrable safety standards, every automobile we’ve featured at YD has broken some design barriers for us, and hopefully they’ve done the same for you. So we curated a collection of what we thought were the best car designs of 2022. From an intriguing Apple Car 1 concept to a cybertruck-inspired Tesla Model M bike, each of these drool-worthy cars is mercilessly pushing the boundaries of the automotive industry. Automotive enthusiasts will be itching to get their hands on them and spin them on the road!
1. Model M
The M model was designed with the urban space constrained in mind, so the detachable handlebars make perfect sense. The electronic stand makes parking the vehicle easy and hassle-free. When it comes to adventure escapades, Tesla Model M has your needs covered. Right where the fuel tank of traditional bikes is, there is a detachable bag with its own battery that powers the lights and multimedia system. The bag has its own start-stop system, which serves as an anti-theft device.
2. The Fordzilla hypervan
Dubbed the Fordzilla Hypervan, this dune buggy is inspired by the reptiles overall. The matte black color it’s cloaked in is a telltale sign of the Godzilla design influence. If you see this typical Batmobile influence, you are not alone! The appearance of matt orange tones on the outside and inside underlines the sharp character of the ride. The battery on the back hints at its rear-wheel-drive origins, and therefore better balance and handling. The Hypervan gets all the glass doors that have gull wings and look absolutely gorgeous. These doors are an extension of the windshield and the panoramic glass roof, giving the four-wheeler a feeling of airiness.
3. The WAYRA EV-03
The WAYRA EV-03 electric cruiser motorcycle is a 100 percent no-gimmick concept that will satisfy any rider – be it a cruiser enthusiast, a performance lover or an off-road fanatic. The WAYRA EV-03 is a bike with a lot of personality, designed with the heritage of fat bikes and cruiser bikes in mind while still having those minimal, bold, modern touches to create visual appeal. There’s also no denying the presence of café racer aesthetics due to the low-slung driver’s position. The drag racing element is evident through the stretched rear end, but the high ride height also exudes that dirt bike racer vibe.
4. The Muji Honda MS01 electric bike
Meet the Muji Honda MS01 electric bike inspired by the MUJI H-Type bike. The black and white theme on this is a testament to the MUJI’s soft styling – in fact, the company’s artistic director, Kenya Hara, created most of the design portion of the bike himself. All the features and performance of the MS01 come from Honda. It’s a very balanced collaboration that results in this minimalist two-wheeler that’s ideal for cruising around town and beyond.
5. Citroën La 2 Deuche Concept
Often referred to as the umbrella on wheels, the iconic 1945 Citroën 2CV had a convertible body with a fixed profile and a retractable sunroof. To revive the nostalgic memories of this economical family car, designer Jean Louis Bui has penned an electric concept in a modern avatar. Named Citroën La 2 Deuche Concept, this cheeky mini car has a sense of airiness. The vehicle’s retro DNA is visible in the section above the wheels, the headlights and the accordion-like retracting roof that transforms it into a convertible.
6. Yamaev’s tricycle scooter
Designed by Alexander Yamaev, this oddly eye-catching three-wheel scooter concept features a rectangular side profile that slices through the air like a credit card slides through a payment machine, and a unique wheel setup with a massive front wheel that enhances the scooter’s transparency surrounds bubble-shaped cockpit and two rear wheels that separate for stability at low speeds and unite for maneuverability at high speeds. The ideas presented by Yamaev’s concept are certainly radical, with a design so groundbreakingly unique that it makes the Cybertruck look old.
7. Volvo EV
Conceived as a designer’s weekend project, this sustainable vehicle design is surprisingly rooted in a phone doodle inspiration. The typical electric car aesthetic is shown in the form of a sharp, angular design language. The car’s hood has a geometric pattern that gives it a sci-fi appeal, and the rear has a typically square personality. From the headlights and side profile to the taillights and roof rack, they all have a distinct geometry. The designer has kept this Volvo’s widebody stance very open, suggesting its dominant road presence.
8. The Apple Car 1 concept
The Apple Car 1 concept is another iteration of the Cupertino giant’s most anticipated project yet, one that yearns to materialize. The core idea of Apple’s concept car revolves around a minimalist and elegant form. This resemblance to the Magic Mouse is intentional and defines the flowing lines of the next-generation car, which will most likely be an evolved self-driving vehicle. Magic Mouse inspiration gives the Apple Car 1 a forward and backward downward motion for balanced volume. Further inspiration comes from the Airpods Pro for an increased sense of power and dominance on the road – hence the bulged wheel section for a muscular profile and overall contrast.
9. The Polestar CP1 concept
The Polestar CP1 concept is a pinnacle of the future Polestar motorcycle with performance similar to today’s gas-powered motorcycles. Lukasw Wenzhöfer’s idea takes shape as a likeable, realistic version of the Polestar sportbike that you would see unless another designer envisioned it better. Like its four-wheeled counterparts, this Polestar EV bike has a very geometric, angular design. The high riding position reinforces the performance status of the ride, aided by the premium suspension system. The focus of this design is on ergonomics and functionality. So looking good isn’t just for the eye candy factor, but for a defined shape that makes absolute practical sense.
10. The 2024 Ford Mustang
The 2024 Ford Mustang is here with a toned, muscular look (the four-wheeler apparently worked out) and a tech-infused interior. The body is now more angular and loses some contours, confirming its attractiveness for the new generation. Of course, the 2024 Mustang retains the attractive proportions of its predecessors, and that’s a huge relief. The front end is inspired by the original Mustang with a squarer aesthetic. In contrast to this are the headlights with tri-bar LED elements and the now even more distinctive three-bar rear lights. The rear overhang is now shorter and the hips are slightly wider for that sex appeal.
