ItalDesign Giugiaro S.p.A, a renowned Italian design firm, marked its 50th anniversary in 2018. The company's engineers have crafted iconic production vehicles such as: Alfa Romeo 159, Alfa Romeo Brera (2005), DeLorean DMC-12 (1981), Lancia Delta (1979), Lotus Esprit (1972), Maserati Bora (1971),Volkswagen Scirocco (1974); among others. They also have a portfolio of concept models that often underwent changes before production, yet brilliantly fulfilled their purpose of astonishing everyone. One such concept was the Volkswagen Orbit (1986).
In the same year as the Golf II update, Volkswagen saw its long-standing collaborators at ItalDesign concoct an inventive plan. They envisioned a distinctive body atop the Golf Syncro foundation (featuring four-wheel drive and a 1.8-litre 90-hp engine). This innovative hybrid made its debut at the Turin Motor Show, gaining fame as the Orbit.
The Orbit, while similar in size to the Golf II at less than four metres in length, stood out with its height, being 15 centimetres taller. This design choice was aimed at maximizing interior space and demonstrating Volkswagen's ability to create cars accommodating comfortably for individuals up to two metres tall.
The exterior of the Orbit presented a notable absence of sharp corners, with every element, from the windows and bumpers to the boot, featuring a rounded design. The solid wheels complemented this style seamlessly. The front and side windows appeared to merge with the roof, creating an almost singular large window, resulting in a brightly lit interior. However, this design wasn't the most practical. Such a cabin, with its greenhouse-like atmosphere, could theoretically be used for growing tomatoes, likely with results comparable to an actual greenhouse.
The Orbit's interior was a vision of ultra-futurism. In an age where car manufacturers pride themselves on integrating 10-inch screens, the Orbit's concept screen was astonishingly large. It seemed ItalDesign aimed to present all vehicle information on this single expansive screen, eliminating the need to toggle between displays.
The driver's side featured a vast array of displays and controls that seamlessly blended into the center console, extending to the switch-laden passenger side. Additionally, there was a smaller navigation screen, not easily visible to the driver, necessitating the passenger to act as a co-driver during journeys.
At the 1986 Turin Motor Show, ItalDesign stood out prominently. Alongside the unique Orbit, they also unveiled the Machimoto in Turin, akin to a convertible version of the Orbit. Technically based on the Golf GTI with a 1.8-litre 139-hp engine and front-wheel drive, the Machimoto was a practical family convertible capable of accommodating nine small passengers or six adults.
The seating arrangement in this concept car is intriguing, with passengers seated in parallel rows, akin to sitting on a motorcycle. Each occupant is secured with a two-point safety belt. If the passengers are not too large, an additional three individuals can be accommodated in the back on a separate seat, similar to a conventional car arrangement.
A notable aspect of this concept is its doors, or rather, what serves as doors. They resemble thick, elongated side guards that need to be lifted to allow entry or exit from the vehicle.
A humorous observation about this concept by ItalDesign suggests it merges the less favorable aspects of both a motorcycle and a car. Lacking a roof, it doesn’t offer the comfort or space to stretch out. Its considerable weight hinders speed, and its size makes it unsuitable for navigating through traffic jams. However, this hybrid design does offer the capacity to transport a large family, which is a significant advantage in Italy. Yet, in other parts of the world, this benefit is not as pronounced, leading to the Orbit and the Machimoto remaining purely conceptual creations, never evolving beyond their initial designs.
VOLKSWAGEN ORBIT 1986 - CONCEPT CAR
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