Heading a concept EV development project - Part 4
One of the major design objectives that I had given to my automotive designer was that I needed a design that eliminated the radiator grille (or any design element associated with it) from the apron of the vehicle. As automotive designers and most enthusiasts are aware, the radiator grille in many successful brands is central to the design, and a highly distinguishable feature of the brand. Totally removing it would be a very bold statement towards the elimination of the internal combustion engine, thus no need for a radiator. However, the challenge was more complex than originally anticipated.
Chreos design basics
The objective of Chreos from day one was for it to be a high-end vehicle. The overall automotive design has to reflect the brand and deliver immediately a perception of quality and craftsmanship. It also needed to be timeless, a design that looks modern and actual, yet deliver that perception for years. My guidelines were simple - a luxury sportsback sedan featuring a timeless flowing design, with minimal lines and clutter, no radiator grille, and since the logo would be a triangle, I wanted it to be reflected in the design. It sounds simple, but putting down on paper a design that would encompass all the features, yet deliver to my expectations, prove to be not the easiest of tasks.
Reuben started working on the design. It took months to get the lines right, there were tens of options for the front apron, and at the beginning none of them looked compelling enough even to be considered as a base for the actual design. They didn't reflect the aesthetics I wanted the vehicle to have. The problem was that by my simple sounding instruction - remove the radiator grille - I had pushed the vehicle design into uncharted territories. Had it been a sports car, having no front apron, the design objective would have been very simple to achieve. However in a full scale sedan, with a 2m wide apron and more than 50cm deep, it was a major challenge.
I understood why other brands had blocked the radiator grille in their electric cars, however still left its silhouette in a different tone. This would probably have been a challenge that was to steep to overcome. However, by persistence and continuous changes in the design, ultimately a shape that was getting closer to what I had envisioned was being created. Reuben was very intelligent in the design. By integrating the front inlet flaps, that would open only when the vehicle was charging (the battery pack needs good ventilation during HyperCharging), he created a design element that filled the void left by the lack of the radiator grille. The elongated logo strip at the centre of the apron also broke the otherwise plain looking front. The result was what you now have learned to know.
The rest of the vehicle was more straightforward in the design. The rear of the vehicle also integrated a vital element in the design - the triangle. As you can see, the rear of the vehicle intelligently sprots two triangles, cleverly designed with the rear lights and a oblique kink in the read window. This is a new approach to design, and it worked brilliantly, delivering a classing looking rear end, yet innovative in design and obviously without any tailpipe.
With this done, we went on to the 3D modelling, and Chreos now had a shape that was up to my expectations and waiting for public perception and acceptance. The public unveiling of the design was scheduled for the 14th February 2013. It was our most critical move - to see how the market would perceive the design and what level of acceptance it would get. The date approached quickly, and the moment of truth was rapidly behind the corner.
- end of part 4 -
Go to part 5
Read part 1 of this blog here
Read part 2 of this blog here
Read part 3 of this blog here