The Apple Automotive was as soon as one of the crucial highly-anticipated Apple merchandise of all time. For a decade, rumors in regards to the secretive Apple electrical car mission made headlines in tech publications and Apple blogs.

Then, simply weeks in the past, information broke that Apple formally killed the mission often known as Mission Titan. There will likely be no Apple Automotive.

Now, Bloomberg‘s Apple insider, Mark Gurman, has some very fascinating particulars about what the Apple Automotive would have regarded like. And, reader, it is nothing such as you would have imagined.

Apple was engaged on a minivan

Strive to think about what an EV made by Apple would have regarded like. Are you considering of a possible Tesla competitor? Possibly a smooth, attractive sports activities automobiles?

You would be incorrect. 

Apple was engaged on a minivan, in keeping with a report by Bloomberg‘s Gurman.

The Apple Automotive went by way of a number of design iterations within the decade it was beneath improvement, Gurman says. Nonetheless, every one among them is closely influenced by minivan designs by car producers through the years.

Volkswagen Sort 2
Credit score: Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Photographs

The preliminary idea for the Apple Automotive was created by the corporate’s iconic designer, Jony Ive, who left Apple in 2019. That Apple Automotive design was dubbed the “Bread Loaf” internally on the firm. Why? As a result of it regarded like a “trendy incarnation” of the Fifties Volkswagen microbus.

In case you’re not aware of the Volkswagen microbus, often known as the VW Sort 2 or VW Camper or Vanagon, you nearly positively know what it seems to be like. It is the VW van sometimes portrayed as being pushed by hippies within the 60s or by touring rock bands from that period. It is the yellow van used within the 2006 movie, Little Miss Sunshine starring Steve Carrell, Abigail Breslin, and Toni Collette.

A Volkswagen camper-inspired design

Later variations of the Apple Automotive modified the design considerably, however the old fashioned Volkswagen minivan-inspired aesthetic remained.

The second Apple Automotive design, in keeping with Gurman, regarded “practically similar” to the 2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz prototype. This EV idea automotive was additionally impressed by the VW microbus, albeit with a extra trendy design, with a sloped hood. Curiously, Gurman mentions that this Apple Automotive design got here earlier than Volkswagen introduced its 2017 prototype.

2017 Volkswagen ID Buzz prototype
Credit score: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photographs

The Apple Automotive went by way of some extra minor modifications through the years earlier than touchdown on its most up-to-date design idea from 2020. In line with Gurman, that final Apple Automotive design resembled a car by the California-based electrical automotive firm, Canoo. 

The final model of the Apple Automotive resembled the Canoo Way of life Car, which Gurman describes as a “futuristic van with rounded edges.” Having a look on the Canoo EV, it actually does appear to be one thing you’d think about for Apple’s tackle a minivan. The back and front of the car would additionally look precisely the identical, so the Apple Automotive would’ve all the time regarded prefer it was driving ahead.

The Canoo Way of life Car.
Credit score: Canoo

One of many final design change-ups to this model of the Apple Automotive was to commerce in sliding doorways generally discovered on a minivan for gull-wing doorways.

As for the inside, Apple was going for a minimalist design with a concentrate on roominess for the occupants of the car. It may’ve doubtlessly included TVs and/or iPads for FaceTime and video playback, a particular A/C system that may stream air by way of the edges of the car, and a reclining, non-public jet-esque seating design with swiveling entrance seats.

In line with Gurman’s report, Apple executives together with CEO Tim Cook dinner had been massive followers of the final design. However, finally, the corporate determined to drag the plug on the Apple Automotive — and all we’re left with are these studies about what may have been.