2005 I.DE.A Emerald

The 2005 I.DE.A Emerald was introduced as the second edition of the 1999 IDEA-One concept car, reaffirming the I.DE.A Institute’s commitment to blending Italian design flair with cutting-edge engineering. Displayed alongside the compact Goby pickup, the Emerald served as a refined evolution of its predecessor, first seen at the Geneva Motor Show. While the original IDEA-One was conceived as a stylish and futuristic showcase of mobility concepts, the Emerald carried this vision further, with more matured aesthetics and an enhanced focus on design execution.

Created under the guidance of I.DE.A Institute’s Italian design team, the Emerald showcased sculptural bodywork and precision surfaces that reflected the studio’s reputation for refined proportions and distinctive character lines. The name itself suggested luxury and exclusivity, and the vehicle’s appearance matched that tone—elegant, streamlined, and clearly aiming to evoke a premium feel. With a sleek greenhouse, assertive front fascia, and fluid side profile, the Emerald leaned into a more internationally appealing grand tourer aesthetic rather than a strictly utilitarian or experimental one.

Unlike some of the more fantastical concepts of the time, the Emerald offered a grounded vision that could plausibly translate into a production vehicle. While exact technical specifications were not detailed in its public debut, the concept emphasized the studio’s growing presence in global markets, particularly China, where I.DE.A had recently established a dedicated office in Shanghai. This move reflected the increasing interest in tapping into Asia’s burgeoning automotive market, and the Emerald functioned not only as a design exercise but also as a potential calling card for OEM partnerships and contract development.