Driving pleasure is most important value of Lotus brand. But in this autonomous era, some people say driving experience is old-fashioned value. This concept start from the idea that meeting between rising high-tech and Lotus DNA can make brand new user racing experience. Lotus Epsilon tries to express the Lotus’s slogan “Simplify, then add lightness” on the exterior design.
Introduction
In these days, value of the times that we spend in the car is changing. Because of the rising of autonomous technology, driving is not only one option we can choose it the car. But still there are someone who want driving pleasure. In this trend driving experience have to evolve for survive as well.
So, Junu Kim tried to design super car for VR racing. In the 2035, the way of enjoying racing will be shifted. Combination between VR technology and racing will produce extraordinary experience. Sensors and cameras scan the roads or tracks and obstacles . At the same time, VR device show super exciting environment including the roads. Drivers can drive on fantastic environment wherever they want. It can be F1 track at Monaco, Alpes mountains, Sci-fi city, and even it can be exoplanet. Also, It can create 3d interface on the road by VR technology. Immersive racing experience with VR device and high performance car will change the paradigm of future racing.
The design
The exterior design is inspired by SR-71 Black bird airplane. There is great harmony between sharped edge & muscular volume. To achieve this, Junu sketched in diverse direction. Also, Color trim is inspired by iconic black & gold of classic lotus racing car.
As the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet, Epsilon is used frequently in current times and through history. He’s prominent in math as well as the sky, as he’s commonly used as a rocket name. He’s also a star, appearing in the Eridanus constellation. The name ‘Epsilon’ is perfectly matched with this car’s appearance. Junu removed front glass part for showing concept of this car clearly. Front glass part is unnecessary immersive VR experience. So, he designed brand new shape of greenhouse. This sharp greenhouse design represent concept and overall design language of this car. This extreme concept without vision make the passenger exciting. This car is 2 seat car. They can share the experience with VR device.
He used Autodesk alias program for 3d model and got support about CAD model form Gisu woo (gisu6231@naver.com). VRED and Keyshot are used for rendering.
About Designer
Junu Kim is an final year automotive design student at Coventry University. He is from South Korea. He did his summer internship in SAIC Advanced London and he has also received Design Wanted award from Pininfarina 90+1 design contest. He wants to be a designer who can make beautiful story and change someone’s lifestyle. for more of his projects you can follow him on Behance.
