Pforzheim University Winter Degree Show 2009

Transportation Design students at Germany's Pforzheim University displayed their work in the school's summer degree show last month, one of two graduation shows held every year by the renowned college. The exhibition included work from graduating Diploma and Masters students, first- and second-semester Masters students, as well as exterior and interior projects by the fifth- and seventh-semester BA students.

The newly introduced Bachelor course covers the Transportation Design program in seven semesters (replacing the eight-semester Diploma course) with students embarking on specialized transportation projects in their second semester. Bachelor students are encouraged to continue on the Masters Course, which still comprises three semesters. The Masters course is taught in English and involves training in digital design workflows, running alongside the project work.

Projects from the graduating Diploma students included:

Volkswagen 1 Liter Racing
Moritz Martin
The 1 Liter Racing League is a new motorsport concept with a more ecologically oriented approach to racing. Inspired by the insanity of Swamp Buggy, Land Speed Record Races and the Eco Marathon, the 1 Liter Race car challenges the tactical skill of the driver to finish the race using just the energy from one liter of fuel. Inspired by the effortless gliding of skim boards, the driver can lift the wheels and slide over the thin water film of a salt lake or beachside racing ground to save energy. The car features retractable wheels for aerodynamic efficiency at high speed and a rear wheel-mounted air nozzle for frictionless steering during slides. The racetrack is projected onto the drivers head-up display, which allows a more flexible layout and forms a link between real life motorsport and video gaming. Like a game pad, the steering unit is programmable and can operate multi-directional operations at the same time.

KIA enRoute business coupé
Marc Andernach
The project scenario is that in the next 20-30 years, traffic will be categorized into short-distance (mostly pure electric cars for urban areas) and long-distance cars (hybrids, hydrogen and high-efficiency conventional engines) due to the wide array of drivetrain concepts available. There will no longer be tax deductions for business cars in Europe, which would create a niche for more efficient and function-specific vehicles. The customer envisaged is a traveling salesman or high-mileage commuter. The design of the KIA enRoute accommodates elegant aspects (business etiquette) and professional aspects - the latter of which are inspired by a Le Mans Prototype (LM P1), which is the technological ideal for high-speed, long-distance driving. This inspired the large air channels/wheelhouse boxes at the front, the flat underfloor and the wraparound windscreen.

Shapes that grow on you
Rudolf Hamann
The aim of this concept was to connect city life with independence, flexibility, emotion, effectiveness and innovation. The result is a multifunctional electric vehicle with three modes: Sports, Compact and Off-Road. The vehicle is built up around a 2+2 seat package, using a combination of glass, plastics and elastic materials that still guarantee the protection of the passengers. The project concentrated on the perceived emotions rather than the pure technical demonstration; stretched, continuous volumes are constructed from a series of floating, separated body elements. The contrasts of the separate volumes and fluent elements generate a visually technical and dynamic vehicle.

Honda Grid
Sebastian Steitz
This concept explores lightweight design by using digitally generated structures that create a transparent and lightweight character while fulfilling safety and stiffness requirements. The project concentrates on 'digital growth' for populating the structure, bringing a new functionality and depth, and is inspired by nature and modern architecture. The Honda Grid is designed to deliver lots of grins while using little energy. "Weight is the enemy of fuel economy," points out Steitz.

Compact Car 2020
Michael Rienth
The compact car concept proposes a high stance, long cabin and a short hood. Four passengers are accommodated in a relaxed package, as in a sports car, but are set higher to aid entry and enhance the view of the surrounding landscape. The overall height is less than that of an SUV, enabling a smaller frontal area, better aerodynamics and lower weight. A small but efficient engine creates proportions that shift attention away from the powerplant to the occupants' advantage.

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By Brett Patterson