A futuristic supercar powered by hydrogen. Conceived in respect of an iconic brand such as Alpine and created by the students of the Master in Transportation of the IED, the European Institute of Design in Turin. They were asked to imagine an electric two-seater “super berlinette” for the year 2035 and the challenge stimulated creativity, giving life to a daring and futuristic concept car, presented at the Turin OGRs and named A4810 Project by IED.
An answer to the new concept of sportiness, which winks at the latest generation technologies but is able to preserve the tradition of the French brand (Renault group) born in 1955 and recently relaunched. A tribute to the models protagonists of the glorious sports competitions from the Sixties onwards. The French spirit and the bond with the Alps, which unites the two schools (the transalpine one and the Italian one) are integrated into the acronym: the number 4810 celebrates the height of Mont Blanc, the highest and most majestic peak in the Alps, which divides and acts as a trait-d’-union between Italy and France, between IED and Alpine, a brand that owes its name to those mountains.
The concept is in 1: 1 scale (5 meters long by 2 wide and 1 high) while the interiors were created in digital format through sketches, 3D models, renderings, animations and development of the Human Machine Interface. The car is of great impact, with a look that refers to Formula 1, thanks also to the engine in view and the large hydrogen tanks.
The design offers an alternation between empty and full spaces, which visually lighten the supercar, enhancing the aerodynamic solutions. The dual color scheme (the typical Alpine blue with matte black and carbon fiber elements) creates contrast with the car’s components, highlighting them according to their functions.
The designers of the French brand attended the “baptism” of the A4810 and coordinated all the development phases. Satisfied Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director: «The goal was to bring out the perception of our brand by the younger generations, but also to share our passion and our know-how». For Chief Designer Raphael Linari “this futuristic supercar explores new territories in terms of package, proportions and formal language”.
«The students of the Master – explained Paola Zini, director of the Turin IED – have made their own, in a fertile and visionary context, the concepts of skills transversality and team working. The contribution with which Alpine has participated with passion, enthusiasm and presence adds a further prestige to our international collaborations ». The Master was coordinated by Michele Albera, the Thesis Project was coordinated by Masato Inoue. «Turin and its industrial area – underlined the IED didactic manager Riccardo Balbo – remain a unique heritage of creativity for the automotive sector, in which design retains a priority role. And the synergy with specialized schools strengthens the entire district ».
