The Automotive Design students at Swansea Metropolitan University displayed their final year works at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.

Below we report a selection of the projects (in two parts).

Honda FCS by Michael Beauchamp

The Honda FCS is a ‘fuel cell’ powered sports car concept, designed to create a sustainable future for motor sport and recreational driving.

The mounting pressure to reduce the environmental impact of the motor car is restricting automotive companies into producing sensible, ecological products. The purpose of the Honda FCS is to utilise the opportunity of climate change to enhance design not restrain it, while filling a cap in the current market of fuel burning cars.

Designed to be contemporary with a glance back at classically beautiful sports cars, to move the perception of Honda slightly up market & to challenge the preconceptions of ecologically biased vehicles.

Zil Diplomat by Matthew Danton

With the expansion of millionaires from the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India & China) nations, sales of high end luxury cars and other luxury goods have increased.

There will come a time when these people will prefer to purchase these products from their own manufacturers out of national pride. The project revitalises the dead Russian marquee Zil in line with the country’s enterprising 21st century attitude.

Designed for red carpet and diplomatic occasions as a rival to Rolls Royce & Maybach. The styling was established by deconstruction Russian culture & art. It was important that the vehicle must look Russian.

Alfa Romeo Targa Florio by Elliott Hawkins

The aim of this project was to remind people of exactly what Alfa Romeo stands for: Beauty, Style and Design.

The Targa Florio name is derived from the famous Sicilian road race which Alfa Romeo won on numerous occasions.

The car is based around a one seat package, which creates a truly unique vehicle for the supercar arena.

This package also opens up new opportunities for the styling to create something extremely fresh.

The design is a harmony of purpose & beauty, with a high gloss extremely organic, flowing bodywork which blends into a more angular, mechanical, matt black & carbon fibre lower and rear surfaces.

Prada Ventoross oby James Brooks

Wing in Ground Effect (WIG) craft are more efficient than aircraft & can produce very high speeds will very little power. WIG is used commonly by sea birds, cushioning air between the wings and the water surface allowing them to glide effortlessly.

By using the PRADA brand as an influence, this design will attempt to establish WIG craft as a quality, luxurious trend setter with an air of opulence. This 18m craft can transport 8 people in high luxury or can be adapted to ferry up to 20 people in style.

The Ventorosso is primarily an ‘Island Hopper’ destined for the Mediterranean, Dubai, Florida Keys, Caribbean and Thailand.

Bvlgary Super Yacht by Michael Davies

A one-off 50m, £50 million luxury Super yacht that encapsulates the dynamic style, elegance & brand values of Bvlgari. This super yacht is designed to appeal to both the traditional ‘boat educated’ buyers and the wave of new billionaires from the emerging BRIC nations.

Research has shown that the less traditional owners of yachts are more accepting of fresh design approaches & are ‘high end’ brand aware.

Super yachts have become the ultimate status symbol for the ultra high net worth individual. This yacht is designed to eclipse its competitors by being the ultimate expression of taste and success.

About the Courses at Swansea Metropolitan University

The Automotive Design BA & BSc courses are run by Paul Morrow who trained at Coventry & Pforzheim & practiced as a designer for London Taxis R&D (now known as Modec) and Sergio Fontanarosa who practiced as a designer with ItalDesign Giugiaro. 

For more information on the Courses visit the official webpages from the Swansea School of industrial Design at Swansea Metropolitan University:

• BA(Hons) Automotive Design
• BSc(Hons) Automotive Design

Continue to Part 2

(Source: Swansea Metropolitan University)