The Porsche Junior Academy was a personal project which Jan developed during his Internship at Porsches design studio in Weissach. The project started with a simple question, What makes a Porsche? Simplistic design, natural and full volumes combined with sporting purity. At least that’s Jan's interpretation of the „Porsche-Feeling“.
Introduction
Jan wanted to create the purest form of Porsche possible. So he started by thinking of the purest form of driving/racing, which would be an open-wheel racing series. Especially the 60s era of formula cars. To him, this era resembles absolute purity: 4 Wheels, an engine, a driver, and a fuel tank. That’s all there is. So naturally, he took the Porsche 804 from 1962 as my main inspiration. This simple formula helped me create the Porsche Junior Academy.
With this one-make series, Porsche would be able to get new talents straight from karting and lower racing series, let them further develop their racing craft, and give them the opportunity to step up to more advanced series like F1 & WEC. All while promoting the development of synthetic fuel.
The Junior Academy is supposed to take place prior to every F1 race and replace the Porsche Supercup. Like the Porsche Supercup, this formula car runs on 100% carbon neutral E-Fuel and is supposed to show the world that racing with all its nuances can be green and sustainable.
Design
To find a minimalist form that embodies the Porsche feel, without relying on voluptuous fenders was quite a challenge. But eventually, by using a neutral, simplistic, and technical approach. Jan was able to generate a purposeful and consequent form, which shows the main construction of the academy racer.
Like in the classic 60s formula cars Jan wanted the engine to be exposed, to show off the new technology. Therefore he imagined an engine that also reflects the simplistic and pure form of the exterior. This 4-cylinder boxer engine is supposed to have all its wires and pipes inside of the main body, to protect the delicate parts from additional engine wear and stress.
The Key-Sketch clearly shows the main body with automotive surfacing, intersected by the technical aesthetic of the open engine. The technical aesthetic developed into a purposeful product-like form language, to clearly communicate the product's tool/sports gear-like nature.
After further development and various experiments in two-dimensional space, Jan started building a digital model. Since he wanted to learn as much as possible during my internship, he used this opportunity to teach himself Blender. So, the entire model was built and visualized in this software.
About Designer
Jan Bendixen is currently studying for Bachelor's in Transportation Design at Pforzheim University. Becoming a car designer or racing driver has always been a childhood dream of Jan. Before studying transportation design he used to be a student at the University of Konstanz and pursuing a degree in Philosophy and English. He has done his car design internship at Porsches design studio in Weissach.
