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College Exhibition: Royal College of Art - GE Plasticon project

Postgraduate students at London's Royal College of Art recently presented the results of a multi-disciplinary design project in collaboration with GE Plastics. As part of the 'PLASTicon' project, 17 RCA first year MA students researched, designed and built models of concept vehicles aimed at the needs of different markets - from SUV owners to Gen-Y consumers - utilising the capabilities of plastics. Beginning in December, the students from the Vehicle Design course as well as from Textiles, were split into six teams tasked with conducting research into specific scenarios, including emerging generations and emerging markets to meet specific challenges of today and tomorrow.

Volkswagen Concept A

Volkswagen has revealed its latest design study, the Concept A, a crossover between sports car and SUV. Like the conceptually similar Concept T of 2004, the Concept A is based on the Golf platform, marrying coupe-like profile with raised stance. At the front, vertical vents flank the shield-grille, whose matt-silver finish is repeated on the A-posts and door-handles.

Design Essay: BMW i – Setting the industry agenda for the next decade

Many have already dismissed BMW i as a radical experiment too far ahead of its time, but looking beyond the glossy carbon fiber facade reveals three ways it will change the automotive landscape during the next decade: 1. Re-define the EV category Despite Tesla, Nissan, GM, Renault and Toyota all operating in the EV space, global sales in 2012 totaled just 54,000. Many put this down to high-cost and range anxiety, but another key factor is nearly always overlooked.