Inhabitat » RCA Unveils Sleek Sustainable Concept Cars

July 22, 2008

RCA Unveils Sleek Sustainable Concept Cars

by Mike Chino

RCA, royal academy of art, concept cars, Jon Radbrink, Nuaero car, Pierre Sabas, Airflow car, Sergio Loureiro Da Silva, Phoenix car, Arturo Peralta Nogueras, electric engine, aerodynamics, lightweight materials, algae fuel, rca1.jpg

Imagine soaring along the road in a car composed entirely of aerodynamic glass, or piloting a red rocket-car with a split chassis mimicking a motorcycle and sidecar. Now consider the fact that these souped-up super-roadsters were envisioned with careful consideration paid to issues of emissions and energy-efficiency. The Royal College of Art recently revealed a rousing rally of auto designs that match sleek profiles with cutting-edge concepts in sustainability. From efficient electric engines to ultra-lightweight materials and driver-less navigation systems, the RCA’s 2008 crop of concept cars struck us as nothing short of stunning.

These concept cars build upon the RCA’s world-renowned vehicle design program, which has produced many exceptional designers over its 40 years of existence. Now that nearly every major auto manufacturer has announced plans for an energy-efficient automobile, we find it truly exciting to chart the territory that future forays in automobile design may take.

Pierre Sabas’ Airflow concept encases an electric engine and suspension within an exterior constructed entirely of glass, while Jon Radbrink’s Nuaero car integrates sophisticated aerodynamic principles such as airfoils, a venturi tunnel, and a catamaran-esque underbody to maximize its efficiency.

Sergio Loureiro Da Silva’s rocket-red Phoenix car pairs beautiful aerodynamic curves with a system that regenerates lost energy through movement, and Arturo Peralta Nogueras’ futuristic vehicle runs on algae and features an evolving solid hologram technology to adapt to its environment, passengers, and scenarios.

+ Royal College of Art

Via Wallpaper.com and designboom.com

5 Responses to “RCA Unveils Sleek Sustainable Concept Cars”

Gustavion Says:

July 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 pm

This is an interesting article. Thank you for posting it.

In general, I think it is important for individuals to take more responsibility of our earth.

Jac Says:

July 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm

I’m loving the bathtub seats in the last two pics. Would be cool if you can swing those seats, esp convenient for the physically-disabled and elderly.

Kula1 Says:

July 23rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Has safety been adressed?

Arthur Newguard Says:

July 24th, 2008 at 11:25 pm

classic auto design from people with no idea how a car works -now or in the future. Why am I the only design school graduate since 1980 with any training in how things work? Still, gotta love beautiful renderings of bad ideas.

hughmama Says:

July 27th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

Sheesh ok newguard your obviously a complete twat.
These vehicles are studies into the language form of transport not the engineering principles of it.
Buliding better cars is easy, making people accept discontinuities in the very embodied culture of the car is something else entirely.
These students are doing an amazing job of provoking the socio-cultural understanding of transport using the current high technology vernacular and yes that vernacular currently is awash with what some people might refer to as political correctness.
But this is the way to real change. Not by saying this wont work or these are bad ideas but saying what about these ideas affects you and in what way? Thats design led research at its most pure.

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