The students of the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin have once again presented a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show, in fact it's their fourteenth 1:1 scale model, this time the design school has teamed up with Hyundai to create a futuristic two-seater lightweight dune buggy, which converts into a single-seater jet-ski.
Dubbed the Hyundai Kite the concept car is for the thesis project of the biennial Master in Transportation Design of the year 2016/2017. The concept car born from the collaboration with European Design Center Hyundai and for the first time ever, the IED has presented a prototype with the interiors.
Further collaborations include the gearbox which was realised in partnership with Gruppo Sila, while the seats and the belts are the outcome of a project with Sabelt. Gruppo Sila is also the partner for another project involving the students of the IED Turin’s Product Design and Transportation Design programs who have designed other two proposals of full by-wire gearboxes which are being exhibited in a dedicated space of the stand.
Visitors also have the chance to experience the concept car through virtual reality thanks to a project carried out in collaboration with Protocube Reply. The concept was realised by NCS NewCast Services Srl, the IED’s partner for prototyping on this project while technical sponsors were AM Costruzione Modelli, Clinic Car Italia, Freeland.car andOZ Racing.
This is the second time that Hyundai has partnered with the IED. Their previous partnership resulted in the development of the PassoCorto, an ultra-lightweight sports car concept, in 2014.
"Design is the number one reason why our customers in Europe choose Hyundai cars," said Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Design Centre Europe. "We are always evolving our design to reflect modern lifestyle, which is our key to success. We are delighted to contribute to the development of young talents in Europe who will be designing the cars of the future. The Hyundai Kite is a great result of an exceptional partnership."
Design plays a vital role for Hyundai in Europe. 85% of the models sold in the region are designed, tested and produced in Europe. Hyundai has established itself as a key player in the European economy. 205,000 people owe their jobs to the presence of Hyundai in Europe. Further strengthening the company’s commitment to the region, the cooperation with local institutions like the IED have produced valuable results. An example is Marco Gianotti, former IED student who signed the first PassoCorto sketches in 2014: today he works as Exterior Designer at Hyundai Design Centre Europe.
"During these fifteen years, the Geneva audience got used to the design challenges and considerations proposed by IED," said Riccardo Balbo, Dean of IED Italy. "The idea that drives an international network to take part to such an important venue is to give free rein to a young and uncontrolled energy, re-organise it under the direction of important partners, developing visions and train designers with good skills and a promising future."
The Hyundai Kite is a doorless, roofless and windowless vehicle that can drive both on streets and over water. It consists of a monocoque chassis with a length of 3,745 mm and a height of 1,455 mm. Its surfaces interlace, creating a continuum of twists and intersections.
The designers aimed to reduce barriers between the exterior and interior to create a functional and fun car. The lines convey an idea of floating and freedom, connecting to the idea of spending leisure time near the water.
In both configurations the vehicle is equipped with electric propulsion, with four brushless engines placed inside the wheels and a water jet turbine for travelling on water. The Hyundai Kite’s human-car interaction will be controlled by the user’s mobile phone to offer customers control over all the car’s functions.
Photos: IED Hyundai Kite
