TOKYO, Nov 20 — Car designers draw their inspiration from many different sources — nature, sci-fi novels, the works of Picasso or Matisse. In the case of the concept car gracing Toyota’s stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the inspiration came from the popularity and peculiarities of a certain Nickelodeon cartoon character.
Still, like Sylvester Stallone or Jackie Chan, SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the world’s few truly global and instantly recognisable cultural icons, and Toyota has done everything it can to bring the character to life in vehicular form.
The windshield is adorned with his eyes and buck-toothed grin, and the roof features his Superhero Incredibubble mask that blows real bubbles.
Inside, the car has a blue, wood-grain dashboard and a ship’s steering wheel rather than that of a car, and each of the seats references one of SpongeBob’s friends. Even the flooring mats get a sand-coloured and textured finish.
Following its global unveiling at the LA Auto Show, the one-of-a-kind car will be heading off on a US promotional tour to publicise the next SpongeBob SquarePants film, due out in February. — AFP-Relaxnews
