Michelin Challenge Design Rewards "Smaller, Safer, Better" Concepts
By Michelle Krebs January 17, 2008
DETROIT - Each year the Michelin Challenge Design exhibit at the North American International Auto Show showcases specialty vehicles and technology from around the globe in support of a specific design theme. This year, 272 entries were received from 51 countries. Visitors to Cobo Center will see three full size models, eight scale models and 18 drawings, all representing this year’s finalists.
The theme for 2008 is “Smaller, Safer, Better.†Designers were challenged to come up with innovative solutions to reconcile the inverse relationship between convenience and crash worthiness of small vehicles. How ironic it must have been for the eight-person international jury as they reviewed the entries in this land of abundance.
GT vs. Rally vs. Eco-Commuter
The three full-size models represent finalists from Citroen, Dodge, and Nissan.
The Citroen C-Sport Lounge is an aviation-inspired grand touring vehicle. Expansive use of glass increases visibility, thereby enhancing safety. Twenty-inch wheels emphasize safety by evoking strength and robustness. Able to seat four adults in comfort and style, special attention has been paid to the aerodynamic, flowing lines. The drag coefficient is 0.26 and rear lift 0.02.
The C-Sport Lounge is handsome to look at but will its focus on speed be relevant when you’re stuck in a traffic jam?
The Dodge Hornet is a European-sized, rally inspired vehicle with an American
attitude. Safety is communicated through the aggressive, wide stance and 19-inch wheels. Under the hood is a traditional 1.6-liter 16-valve OHC supercharged I/C four-cylinder engine. Images of space capsule interiors were used as inspiration as they are designed for high efficiency in a limited space.
The goal was to have a functional, engineered look, but with pleasing surfaces and materials. The Hornet successfully executes “small†while maintaining a masculine appeal. However, its use of a conventional engine prevents the concept from leaping into the 21st century.
The Nissan Effis is a 3.5 passenger commuter vehicle. Maximum interior
flexibility enables the users to reconfigure the instrument panel according to the number of passengers on board. Nissanâs Super Motor powers the vehicle with its two independently controllable output shafts. One motor on the front axle and one on the rear enable independent four-wheel control for enhanced driving dynamics and stability. This motor technology and a slim, high power Compact Lithium-ion battery together with aluminum and plastic body materials, help achieve optimum size and weight reduction.
There are individual elements of the Effis that are interesting, but somehow the car reads more as a list of attributes rather than a cohesive concept.
The Scale Models
Many of the scale models incorporate designs with exposed frames to convey the feeling of safety.
The MSZR by Shouheng Ming of China is a good example. The Frog Prince by Xinyun He, also of China, goes one step further by adding mega-airbags to its structure. The Webr by Robert Marvin of the U.S. utilizes a network of high-tech cables that theoretically can absorb more impact from a crash due to its flexible nature.
Several models used revolving cabins to fully take advantage of their small size. Why not park your car sideways when the overall length of your city car is about the same as the width of a normal car?
The Drawings
Of the 18 renderings on display, the Neutron by Terry Wong of Canada stood out
â not because of the way the design looks but because of the concept.
The Neutron successfully tackles personal mobility and reconciles the disadvantage of being small by possessing the ability to “stick†to other Neutrons. We’ve seen connecting cars before, but back then the metaphor was the train. Today, the metaphor is more biological – in this case an atom - individually powerful, coming together and splitting apart as needed, all the while communicating and interacting.
Smaller But Not Necessarily Safer or Better
Automobile manufacturers are terrified that the consumers’ love affair with the car is dying. It certainly is true among the youth of Japan, and there are signs of this trend even here in America. But it is concepts like the Neutron that give us hope. Small vehicles can help with congestion in the city but they can also provide practical mobility solutions for non-urban areas as well. If you’re just running to the store to pick up some dog food, why not leave the SUV at home and take the Neutron instead?
The Michelin Challenge Design gives designers an arena to showcase their biggest and brightest ideas without the usual economic or engineering constraints. Most of the concepts shown in this year’s competition were indeed smaller, but not necessarily safer or better.
Let’s hope that next year, participants are encouraged to really push the boundaries. You never know where the next innovation opportunity will come from.
Jane Nakagawa is a regular contributor to AutoObserver. She previously worked for Nissan North America.
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