Fish and skeletons the inspiration for car designs

Is that a fish on wheels? This Mercedes study from 2005 is based on the particularly streamlined shape of a boxfish. Photo: Daimler AG/dpa

When Mercedes engineer Klaus Millerferli holds the suspension component for the new EQXX concept car in his hands you might think something has gone wrong with the design.

The metal part looks misshapen and unstructured, more suitable for the trash can than the front axle of a cutting-edge electric car. It certainly doesn’t look sturdy enough to take the weight it will have to sustain.