OT... Is there a gap in the market for a new car/platform?

[Paul R]

Right, as part of my degree i have to design a new car from the ground up, interior, exterior, driveline, the works... now...

Its to easy to just do a supercar, but thats too bloody obvious...

So, i was wondering, do any of you think that a there is a gap is the market for a new car? a city car that folds up? a luxery car that is half the length of a rolls royce? a 4x4 that is a sports car???

So basically is there anything, ANYTHING that could make an interesting project.

Currently i am thinking about designing a RollsRoyce yacht.

Paul R

2xHLX owner,3xHGT, (then the darkside) 1xCoupe20vt now the proud owner of a Black Coupe20vt LE!

 

[Jayfish]

compact luxury sounds good, be a challenge to get smooth ride on a short wheelbase, interior space would have to be clever.
some form of mini maser/mini lexus kind of concept?

 

[Paul R]

True, could be aimed at the high city earner that wants to drive but doesnt like being in a big car in conjestion...with regards to the ride quality there are some rather complex technology out there already with adaptive dampers that would allow a small car to ride well, only cost stops it happening now!

Doesnt have to be something i have suggested, anything is good!

Paul

2xHLX owner,3xHGT, (then the darkside) 1xCoupe20vt now the proud owner of a Black Coupe20vt LE!

 

[beeson100]

How about an environmentally friendly car that actually performs well, looks flash and doesn't end up polluting the earth more than a normal car..ie. the Toyota Prius. Doesn't matter about cost, all the superstars will buy them as they seem to love the Prius.
Just a thought.

John

 

[Garry]

What about a classic car style exterior with luxury modern interia?

Gaz

 

[Stu R]

I was thinkin on the same lines a beeson here.

How about a luxury eco car. All the benifits of a high luxury with a nice engine yet can use batteries for travelling round busy towns and stuff.

Would be like a mixture between and prius and say a 5 series lol.

Not like there isn't enough room in the boot for the battery cells.

 

[Jayfish]

i get the feeling paul doesn't want to hand in the same project as 80% of the rest though.
eco/hybrid it's just not pushing the envelope

 

[steve]

I want a car that can change to adapt to what i want.

When i feel sporty I want lowered suspension, sensitive steering, rear wheel drive, sharp brakes, ABS that doesn't cut in too soon and a maximum power engine with traction control that again doesn't cut in too soon.

when i'm not in a sporty mood i want it to adjust to a more comfortable suspension set up, more clearance to get over speed bumps, up kerbs etc, I want good alround vision. Brakes that aren't so sharp and ABS. I want easy going low down torque and good fuel economy.

Other days i might want more of a soft roader. Long travel, soft suspension, low gearing, Lots of low down torque, 4 wheel drive, traction control.

I want useful gadgets, electrical variable window tints for sunny days, Memory seats for the various driver modes, customisable interfaces to suit different drivers that operate via a chipped key unique to each person.

Intermitant wipers where you can set the interval of the wipe.

Fully bluetooth enabled integrated car systems.

AND i want it to look good.

enough ideas there?????

 

[Stu R]

80% of the others??

I didn't know 80% of the car companies were doing hybrids.

Its not about what others are doing, its about what people want, and finding a gap.

There is a huge gap for hybrids at the minute, and seeing how there is not many out there and they look like they have been hit with the ugly stick, should create a good challange.

 

[Paul R]

jayfish is spot on, its all to easy to just trick the boxs but this is about standing out, make people stop and think, "i wouldnt have thought of doing that!!"

That doesnt mean what you are all suggesting isnt helpful, at the end of the day a designer can get caught up in there own world and totally lose touch with reality and what the consumer "actually" wants and instead forces there design on the consumer.

Keep them coming....

2xHLX owner,3xHGT, (then the darkside) 1xCoupe20vt now the proud owner of a Black Coupe20vt LE!

 

[Paul R]

Stu he means what other people on the course are doing its not about the first thing you think off

2xHLX owner,3xHGT, (then the darkside) 1xCoupe20vt now the proud owner of a Black Coupe20vt LE!

 

[Stu R]

right im with ya lol

been a long long day

 

[Anonymous]

i want a car that automatically dispense traffic cones in the parking spot outside my house when i leave for work in the morning

 

[Paul R]

brilliant... thats in the final design

2xHLX owner,3xHGT, (then the darkside) 1xCoupe20vt now the proud owner of a Black Coupe20vt LE!

 

[Ian]

Hydrogen Cell Motorbike - Greener than green!

Why hasn't anyone thought of that?

 

[KeithR]

What about turning something into a convertable that you wouldnt automatically think would be a convertable? Like on top gear?

Or a car/boat, like on top gear?

Apart from that I think designing somekind of green car would be your best direction to go in???

KeithR

 

[Allan wall]

re

look on youtube there a few people built electric bikes and acceleration is awesome!

if you think an electric motor is on or off really, speed controlled by current but doesnt have to squirt in petrol build up revs etc like petrol. so massive amounts of torque!

i saw an electric lotus style/shape car on some program and the way it accelerated was awesome! and silent was just weird!

personally i think the best idea is a diesel subaru boxer engine but thats coming out next year,

erm, best idea i have seen was a car where you coudl swap the body so same chassis but you shoose whether you have a nice 2 seater coupe body on for weekend, then 7 seater family estate durign the week, everthign ywas electrical so they undid a coupl eof bolts/come clips and unplug a couple of big connectors and lift off


what about a electric 4x4 that has 4wd steering like some ag machinery that is normally locked but you can enable for 2wed/4wd/crab steering for tight manouverablility/offroading etc
like : http://www.manitou-na.com/press/releases/PR%20-%20updated%20MVT665-const.pdf
as a rough example

and electirc motors so loads of torque for off roading with out having to rev up engine then dump the clutch etc etc!

 

[Stu R]

traffic cones would be easier to dispense than they would to pick back up when you come back from work and people cold also move them when your away.

Hows about posts that raise and lower from the ground instead, but like security posts. These could raise from the ground when they don't sense the car being there, and then lower again when you return.

Could also be linked to an alarm on the car too so when you activate the alarm they raise and when you diactivate it they lower. Stop those theivin scroates.


This is me going daft but I would love a boost button like in knight rider lol Be right good to be able to jump things, how I miss Kitt

 

[Allan Wall]

re

if were talkgin movie cars Mad Max and the supercharger at the flick of a lever is the best idea! nice efficient engine everyday and flick on a supercharger for destroying chavs?

oh and they already have automatic electric bollards liek that for some bus routes etc, there is a vid of the ones in manchester workgin and idiots thinking they can nip through behind a bus and impailing their cars on the bollards!

 

[Matthew_NZ]

Assuming realistic goals for the final design,
eg. no Bentley-folds-into-a-suitcase type stuff, may I suggest:

-A Diesel Hybrid sedan, with a mass below 1100 kg (make use of composite material for wings, monocoque, engine, interior etc. Incorporate solar roofing?

-A speed boat, this kind of design:

but with an electric motor for each prop and solar panels lining the rear deck. The ultimate environmentally friendly pleasure craft.
(Maybe brand it Rolls Royce or Bentley? Incorporate their styling themes)

-A hydrogen-powered Bentley SUV

Your final design could incorporate almost all of the current economy-boosting/oil-saving trends:

-A Hybrid system
-Super-efficient diesels
-Solar-charged electric motors
-Hydrogen
-Bio-Ethanol
-BMW's Efficient Dynamics (stop/start, starter motor/alternator integration/ regenerative braking

That's what I would look at.
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