Sketches of future cars often prove surprisingly accurate

By Carsten Linnhoff Oct 12, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Stuttgart - Auto magazines frequently reveal sketches of future car models that turn out to be surprisingly accurate when the actual car is unveiled some time later. Readers might wonder how this is possible, unaware of the game played behind the scenes between the industry and the media.

In 2007 Ralf Schneider, who is responsible for the computer graphics at the German magazine 'Motorrad', revealed a new BMW six-cylinder model that four years later hit the market as the K 1600 GT and GTL. The sketch was in retrospect a more or less accurate reflection of the model that was later produced.

'It depends on how much information the manufacturer is prepared to release in advance,' Schneider explains. 'If the predecessor model still needs to be sold, the manufacturer tends to be very secretive. But if an entirely new model is in the planning we are often supplied with more precise details, with the industry testing in this way the market reaction to avoid landing a flop.'

In a random survey of major magazines and car manufacturers on this issue, most were hesitant to respond. BMW in Munich refused to comment while Ford in Cologne was more open. 'Sometimes the computer sketch is pretty close to reality but we have seen misses as well,' says press spokesman Isfried Hennen. He concedes that there is a give-and-take relationship between the industry and the motoring press.

Motorcycle expert Ralf Schneider cooperates closely with an external expert. 'Manufacturers in general keep to a pattern that is typical for a particular model. With the help of a historian, I then develop my sketch based on the information available'.

However, Schneider admits that things have become a lot easier because of budget constraints in the industry: 'The companies no longer make such a huge effort to hide their products and we increasingly see test models being taken out on public roads with photographers catching the odd snapshot.'

Car expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer however finds that many of the computer sketches are a long shot, far off from the real models: 'In my opinion the spy pics taken of new models are more spectacular. One such photograph can instantly destroy a long-planned PR campaign.'