IED master students steer concept car ‘A4810 project’ to the alps
iED – Istituto Europeo di Design powers up the future
‘A4810 Project’ by IED – Istituto Europeo di Design shines a glimpse on what to expect from the future of extreme sportiness. In collaboration with Alpine, the French sports car manufacturer, the students of the Institute’s Master in Transportation Design course celebrate the art of automotive technology through their sleek car concept project: a two-seater, environmentally friendly vehicle with a hydrogen power train that roams the Alps.
(above) IED presents A4810 Project as sportiness meets the technology of the future
(banner) video courtesy of Studiopepe
all images courtesy of IED – Istituto Europeo di Design
IED – Istituto Europeo di Design infuses the Alpine spirit for A4810 Project, while preserving the French sports car brand’s legacy. As a result, Italy meets France halfway, and more specifically on Mont Blanc at a height of 4810m, thus the name of the project.
‘The contribution with which the Alpine brand participated with passion, enthusiasm and constant presence adds another milestone in international collaborations. Furthermore, it offered the students an opportunity to work under the guidance of Antony Villain, Design Director, and Raphael Linari, Chief Designer of the brand, as well as IED Alumnus, whom we had the pleasure to meet again,’ states Paola Zini, Director of IED Torino.
4810 is the height in meters of Mont Blanc, which is the highest peak in the Alps dividing Italy from France
the design phase of A4810 PROJECT
After the brief was launched, the 28 students of IED worked on the individual development of style proposals presented to the brand. Alpine then selected a combination of two main concept ideas. Based on the two selected proposals, the young designers created A4810: a light yet powerful and agile concept car for pure driving pleasure. As a part of their design phase, the young designers sought to combine vision and innovation, without losing sight of the traditional roots of the French car manufacturer.
A4810 Project is an environmentally friendly, two-seater supercar with a hydrogen power train
In the latest stages of the design process the group of international designers had the chance to take part in an immersive workshop in the Alps at 2420m above the sea level to better understand the environment of the Alpine brand as well as to experience first-hand the teamwork outside of the typical design center.
‘The collaboration with the Istituto Europeo di Design and its students has been a great experience. It represented both a “filter” to bring out the younger generation’s perception of our brand, but also an opportunity to share our passion, know-how, and give them the right advice for a successful career as car designers,’ says Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director and IED Alumnus.
the hydrogen-powered concept car embraces the latest generation technologies while defending the traditional characteristics of the French brand founded in 1955
the car’s performance finds inspiration from formula 1
The two-seater supercar was designed to be a high-performing vehicle both in terms of sports and environmental performance. The hydrogen-powered design embraces the latest generation technologies while defending, at the same time, the traditional characteristics of the French brand founded in 1955. Although the engine and tanks present the typical architecture of a hyper sports vehicle, the significant development lies in the subtraction process. In fact, the design proposes an alternation between empty and full spaces, which visually lightens the vehicle and presents aerodynamic solutions inspired by Formula 1.
the car’s aerodynamic solutions were inspired by Formula 1
Furthermore, to preserve the French Spirit, no unnecessary formal elements were added. Instead, the students concentrated on the overlapping layers and sculptural aspects of the surfaces. It is the dual coloring and the matte black as well as carbon fiber elements that create an important contrast with the components of the car. In essence, these make them stand out according to their functions, whether they be aerodynamic, mechanical, or merely formal.
