Enigma is a research study into thrillseeking and extreme sports, aimed at translating those experiences and sensations into a conceptual vehicle for the year 2030.

As Tan Sohanpall explains "The concept behind the project was to create a vehicle that could resemble all the emotional feelings and connections that thrillseekers feel, fundamentally creating a vehicle that could capture all of these sensations by what it does and what it looks like."

The sensations are functional elements that all have been translated from thrillseeking and are fully controlled by the driver.

The concept has a single seat layout with the driver sitting central and low to the ground, and is integrated into the concept itself.

The vehicle has many open and exposed elements, translating the main key elements from thrillskeeing where the main components are the athlete and his equipment.

The concept also has the ability to tilt via three pivot structures front, rear and middle right.

This is combined with a moving cockpit element, which at very high speeds will move toward the rear of the vehicle allowing the user to experiencing all sensations from a different view point.

"Aesthetically the vehicle represents the sleek sporty nature of thrillskeeing with the technical component structure seen on many pieces of equipment, e.g. motorcycles, base jumping parachutes."

"Thrillseeking is all about having no distraction from the experience, therefore the concept has minimal elements."

"The three wheel layout keeps the concept minimal, with the wider third wheel placed in the centre of the bodyside to improve grip, stability and traction."

Using wheel gyroscopes and a selective braking system allows different characteristics for each wheel, so one wheel can brake, turn or accelerate harder and faster than another for maximum speed and control.

All the aesthetical features have been designed to give the user one sensation when viewed and then build on this sensation once in the vehicle, "just like when a speed skier looks at the slope before competing on the slope itself."

About the Designer

Tan Sohanpall was born on 18th April 1986 in London, UK. He has a BA Hons Automotive Design from Swansea Metropolitan (2004-2007) and has recently completed his MA Automotive Design from Coventry University (2007-2008).

Among his past experiences are collaborative projects with Honda (2006) and with Modec (2008). He is currently looking for a permanent designer position or internship both in the UK and worldwide.

Contact details

• email: Tan86@hotmail.co.uk
• website: www.coroflot.com/tanveer86

(Image Courtesy: Tan Sohanpall)