In the world of collaborative projects, one venture from the 4th-semester Pforzheim student stood out, bringing together the innovative minds of the OPEL design team. Their mission? To peer into the future and imagine what Opel vehicles might look like on the roads in 2040. Grounded in OPEL's core values of MODERN GERMAN, PURE, DETOX, and GREENOVATION, this journey was driven by a blend of creativity and sustainability.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative project between a 4th-semester Pforzheim student and Opel Design Team
When the project brief arrived, the designer was flooded with ideas. Yet, amidst the flurry of concepts, one idea stood out: the fusion of "Environment" and "Racing." Instead of following the traditional path of relying solely on batteries or electric vehicles to address environmental concerns, he dared to explore uncharted territory.
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Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges
An important finding came from a study about racing, especially Formula 1, showing a big problem with tyre wear. What's worrying is not just how much tyre wear there is, but how harmful it is. It contains heavy metals like cadmium and zinc, which are even worse than CO2. Tyre wear is often ignored, but it adds a lot of microplastics to the oceans, which hurts marine animals and people. To fight the pollution from tyre wear, the design student was determined to find a solution. He came up with a smart idea: a special system hidden in the car that could catch the harmful bits from the tyres. This way, it helps protect the environment and also uses the light made from the chemical reaction caused by the heavy metals.
Inside the complex chambers of the mechanism, the toxic particles went through a change, turning into a bright light. What used to be a sign of harm to the environment, now showed the way forward. The vehicle didn't need extra lights anymore; it lit up naturally, showing its commitment to sustainability. At the core of the vehicle were two hydrogen tanks, the lifeblood of the OPEL RAY. The designer decided not to use traditional batteries because they can be harmful when thrown away.
Ultimately, Hydrogen became the solution, offering a cleaner way to power the journey ahead. In a world facing environmental problems, the choice was obvious - embrace innovation, embrace hydrogen.
Drawing from the Elegance of the Manta Ray
The designer was inspired by the beauty of nature, especially the graceful manta ray. Its smooth shape, like a dance in the sea, became the inspiration for their designs. They were fascinated by the manta ray's big, natural wings and how they could be used in their designs.
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The manta ray's wings gave lots of ideas because they could be in many different positions, as shown in the sketches. Each position inspired a new way to design the car's body. These wings were full of possibilities, with every curve and line showing off nature's amazing design.
Turning the manta ray's beauty into a car design was tricky. It was a tough journey with lots of challenges, but the designer found that keeping things simple was the best approach. By removing unnecessary details, he captured the essence of the manta ray's design perfectly and put it into every part of the Opel RAY.
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Conclusion
The hard work paid off with a design that wasn't just about style; it also focused on being eco-friendly and innovative. The designer took inspiration from the manta ray's shape for the unique wings on the rear wheels, showing how he wanted both looks and practicality to go hand in hand. But this inspiration wasn't just superficial; it had a deeper connection to nature. In the end, the Opel RAY became a symbol of hope, blending creativity with a commitment to the environment. It wasn't just a concept; it stood for the team's dedication to making the world cleaner and more sustainable. Looking forward, the Opel RAY showed what people can achieve when they work towards a common goal.
About Designer
Güner Bölükbasi is a 27-year-old student from Munich, currently studying Transportation Design at HS Pforzheim in the 4th semester. Since childhood, Güner has had a deep love for cars, which has only grown stronger over the years. To him, cars are more than just vehicles; they're like moving pieces of art that stir up emotions. Music is also a big part of Güner's life, just like cars, it evokes feelings and inspires him with new ideas. The music he listens to while working on his designs plays a big role in shaping his projects.
