Many designers have released their own versions of the Apple Car’s design at some point; some were based on conjecture, others on their own fantasies or fragmented rumors. But what Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealed is unlike anything seen before: The vehicle looks less sporty than expected.

Apple’s unrealized dream

From the very beginning, the company was seeking to produce the best product that it would develop over time, without exchanging with intermediate generations. On the contrary, he wanted to immediately launch a car that would have level five autonomy. This means that its management is entirely dependent on autopilot and there is no steering wheel or pedals in the cabin.

Gurman writes that Apple’s primary focus is on maximizing interior space to create a private jet-like environment. Before The final product will look more like a minivan than a sports car.

This image shows the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle, not Apple’s project car. However, approximately this form factor was also taken into account for Apple Car / Photo Canoo.

• The general idea was a minimalist interface combined with seating you would normally see in a private jet or limousine.
• Inside, you’ll feel like you’re in a “contour bubble,” as Gurman calls it, or whatever that means.
• This version of the car could comfortably seat four people, thanks to the seats’ ability to switch between regular seats, folding seats, and footrests.

It was this goal that pushed Apple designers to the minivan idea.

The design of Apple’s circa 2020 car was similar to the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle, a futuristic minivan with rounded edges, but with deep black windows with adjustable tint. It also had an all-glass roof, a clean white exterior, and white tires with black centers. The front and back were the same, so it looked like you were always moving forward.

The Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle that most closely resembles what Apple is planning / Photo: Canoo

Option 2

Another design is said to be “almost identical” to the 2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz. The first version, invented by Jony Ive, looked like a modern reincarnation of the 1950s Volkswagen van. Internally it was called the Bread Loaf.

A 1950s Volkswagen minibus (left) and its modern version, the 2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz (right) / Photo: Volkswagen

This design was introduced to Apple long before VW announced its concept, and it can’t be a coincidence. The fact is that in the mid-2010s, some employees moved from the Apple automotive group to the German automaker.

As Mark Gurman writes, the latest version of the Apple Car returns to the ID Buzz lookbut replaced the sliding doors with Tesla-style doors that fold like gull wings.

2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz / Photo: Volkswagen

Dreams are falling apart

When the company started to realize this, everything started to fall apart. level 5 self-driving is more of a pipe dream than a realistic goal. The same Tesla has been working on autopilot for years, declaring every year that the next version will be exactly as planned, but every time something goes wrong.

Realizing this, Apple needed to come up with a design that was compatible with the steering wheel, pedals and front seats. Even if there are people who can look behind when the car is not moving.

The company is said to have invested a billion dollars every year in the car project for a decade or more. But eventually she gave up on him.