The United Nude Lo Res Car stands as a testament to pushing design boundaries, earning the prestigious 2016 Wallpaper Design Award and solidifying its place as an iconic representation of the United Nude brand’s DNA. This isn’t just a vehicle; it’s a conceptual exploration, a rolling sculpture that challenges our perceptions of automotive aesthetics, and in a way, embodies the idea of a “Nude Car” – stripped bare to its essential form.
Image: Front three-quarter view of the United Nude Lo Res Car showcasing its polygonal and transparent design.
Born from the Lo Res Project, a signature concept of United Nude, the car exemplifies a unique design methodology. This “Lo Res” approach involves iteratively redesigning an object, each time reducing its 3D resolution. This process leads to increasingly fragmented and abstract designs, progressively revealing the underlying essence of the form, much like stripping away layers to expose the “nude” core. The Lo Res Car specifically originates from deconstructing the iconic Lamborghini Countach, a revolutionary design by Marcello Gandini for Bertone in the 1970s. By drastically reducing the resolution of this automotive legend, United Nude unveiled a new design language, one that is both futuristic and fundamentally rooted in a classic silhouette.
Image: Animated GIF demonstrating the Lo Res design process, showing the Lamborghini Countach progressively losing resolution and transforming into the Lo Res Car.
Describing the Lo Res Car as a “conceptual design experiment” is more accurate than labeling it a conventional automobile. It’s a deliberate departure from traditional car manufacturing, focusing instead on artistic expression and the exploration of form. The transparent polycarbonate capsule that encases the two in-line seats—with the passenger seated directly behind the driver—provides an unparalleled and almost “nude” driving experience, exposing occupants to the surrounding environment in a way no traditional car does. This transparent shell contributes to the “nude car” aesthetic, revealing the car’s structure and the occupants within, breaking down the barriers between vehicle and environment.
Image: Promotional image for the Lo Res Project, featuring the car’s distinctive polygonal shape and transparent body against a stark background.
Powered by an electric drivetrain, the Lo Res Car prioritizes conceptual purity over practical performance. Its speed is intentionally limited to 50 km/h, and it is not street legal. These limitations are not drawbacks but rather deliberate choices, ensuring that the experimental and radical design remains uncompromised by the constraints of road regulations and typical car functionalities. The focus remains on the “nude” essence of design and the experience it offers, rather than conventional automotive utility.
Image: Close-up shot of the Lo Res Car’s interior and exterior, highlighting the minimalist seating and polygonal body panels.
The Lo Res Car’s Pop Culture Moment: 50 Million Views in Rich The Kid’s “New Freezer” Music Video
Image: Animated GIF from Rich The Kid’s “New Freezer” music video featuring the Lo Res Car prominently.
Since its Wallpaper Magazine Design Award win in 2016, the Lo Res Car has expanded its reach beyond the design world, gaining global recognition. The production count has increased to four vehicles, and beyond exhibitions and film appearances, the “nude car” has made a striking debut in hip-hop culture, featuring prominently in Rich The Kid’s “New Freezer” music video. This appearance propelled the Lo Res Car into mainstream consciousness, amassing over 50 million views and further cementing its status as a design icon that transcends traditional automotive categories.
Rem D Koolhaas, Creative Director and Founder of United Nude, shared his enthusiasm about this unexpected pop culture integration: “Being part of this video production was a great experience. It was about experimentation and pushing boundaries, so I felt at home. And in Rich The Kid’s latest single he raps about driving a Space Coupe. For me, he’s totally rapping about this car ;).” This quote underscores the car’s alignment with themes of futuristic design and boundary-pushing creativity, further emphasizing its “nude,” unconventional spirit.
Lo Res Car: A Star at Automotive and Design Exhibits
The Disruptors Exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles (2019)
Image: Lo Res Car showcased at The Disruptors exhibit in the Petersen Automotive Museum, Los Angeles.
Image: Another view of the Lo Res Car at the Petersen Automotive Museum exhibit, highlighting its unique form within a museum setting.
The Lo Res Car’s journey includes prestigious exhibitions, such as its appearance at “The Disruptors” exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles in 2019. This exhibition placement emphasizes the car’s role as a disruptive force in automotive design, challenging conventions and prompting viewers to reconsider the very definition of a car. Its “nude” design philosophy is perfectly suited for such a context, showcasing innovation and pushing the limits of automotive art.
Lo Res Car at GRAND BASEL Switzerland (2017)
Image: The Lamborghini-inspired Lo Res Car on display at GRAND BASEL, Switzerland.
Prior to its Petersen Museum feature, the Lo Res Car was also presented at GRAND BASEL in Switzerland in 2017, a premier global art fair. Its presence at GRAND BASEL further solidifies its status as more than just a car; it’s a piece of art, a design statement, and a “nude” exploration of form that resonates within both automotive and artistic spheres. The car’s transparent and exposed nature aligns with the artistic appreciation of form and concept, making it a compelling exhibit in such prestigious venues.
The United Nude Lo Res Car continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Its “nude car” concept, born from a radical design approach and executed with artistic vision, ensures its enduring appeal and relevance in discussions about the future of automotive design and the intersection of art and technology.
