JUDGING A CAR BY ITS COVER...FROM THE "INSIDE OUT"
American Iron and Steel Institute Unveils the College for Creative
Studies and University of Michigan Summer Internship Concept
Cars
Detroit, MI, September 19, 2007 –
Three dynamic automotive forms. Inspired by exoskeletons.
Designed “Inside Out.” When cars look this good, you
can’tlook away.
What you see on the
outside of these cars hints at what’s going on the inside. A
cocoon of steel provides safety, optimum handling, functional styling
and superior automotive design.
Design and engineering students from
the College for Creative Studies (CCS) and University of
Michigan (UM)
unveiled their heart-pounding car designs yesterday at the
19th annual
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) summer automotive design
internship event.
“Inspiration comes in many
forms, and each of these models prove that great things can happen with
car design by incorporating advanced steel and safety
technologies,” said Ron Krupitzer, vice
president of automotive applications for AISI. “Together the CCS
and UM students collaborated on real world automotive challenges,
developing three aggressively styled models, each on a distinct
engineering platform.”
The concept models that Debuted at
this year’s AISI “Inside Out” summer internship event
are:
Dodge
Dendro– a powerfully venomous sports
car – designed by Nicolas Ren Stone, CCS, and engineered by Alok
Pradhan, UM.
“Nature is by far the best
designer of all. Many species evolved out of necessity to ensure their
survival. Exoskeletons were one of these designs, protecting an
animal’s body from harm.
According to Stone,
“Today’s vehicles are built much like humans, with a
structure under a layer of cosmetically pleasing skin. All of the
strength of the vehicle is hidden. While the structure may be strong,
the external parts outside the structure are easily susceptible to
damage. My goal was to take the automobile and apply evolutionary design
principles and the new technologies in steel to explore (and push) the
possibilities for the next generation of cars.
“I designed an exoskeleton
frame to enclose the occupants in a triangle shape. This unique shape
allowed for the absence of a typical B-pillar, allowing the front grill
to serve as an intrinsic part of the structure, rather than as
decoration.
“The bumpers are connected
through a long vertical structure that travels the length of the car
through the interior. This anchors the structure, while providing
stiffness to the rear “tail bone,” which also serves as the
trunk.
“Together with my engineering
partner Alok, we proved that this proposed design not only met
automotive safety requirements, but exceeded them.
“For the frame design, I
combined the strength of exoskeletons with the flexibility of a creature
that appears to have no skeleton, the snake. Able to flex its body into
almost any position was a perfect compliment to steel technology
currently being developed for airplane wings.
“The body panels actually flex
with the vehicle, becoming an active part of the suspension. They appear
as skin tightly stretched over the ridged exoskeleton. This vehicle is
as much creature as it is machine.
“With this much innovation,
strength and character, the car was unmistakably Dodge from the start.
Dodge creates the impression of strength on the road, with a style and
attitude that is unmistakable. And with their history of venomous
serpentine sports cars and concepts, I wanted to offer the next step in
the blood line.
“Inspired by the black mamba,
also known as “Dendroaspis polylepis,” the fastest and most
venomous snake in the world, I introduce a truly extreme car that lives
up to its name, the Dodge Dendro.”
Jeep® Roanoke– an aggressively styled off-road vehicle mindful of the
economy and environment – designed by Tyler Mars, CCS, and engineered by Zoheb Kahn, UM.
According to Mars, “The Roanoke
is designed and engineered for 20-35 year olds that have a passion for
the outdoors and need precise performance in a vehicle that is fun and
environmentally friendly.
“This Jeep is inspired by the
very dark, intimidating theme of artwork by H.R. Giger, and by the very
unique, raw look of Jeep itself.
“I have designed this vehicle
with a very aggressive theme with force and direction in every line. The
Roanoake was created not only for performance and drivability, but also
for clean air and economy. The mid-engine layout is ideal for handling
and weight distribution.
“The ‘Tweel’ wheel
and suspension design eliminates the risk of a blowout and adds to the
overall intimidating character of the vehicle, while increasing interest
and performance.
“The exposed framework around
the cabin is comprised of hydroformed high-strength steel to emphasize
the theme of exoskeleton. To improve safety and provide peace of mind,
advanced high-strength steels are used strategically throughout the
chassis in key areas, such as side-impact beams and exposed
bumpers.
“Along with the hydroformed
high-strength steel exoskeleton frame, advancements in technology
include a clean V6 turbo diesel engine. The engine is environmentally
friendly and provides excellent low-end torque and fuel economy, which
makes the Roanoake an ideal vehicle for off- and on-road
situations.”
Pontiac
Hematon– a sports car inspired by
life, for the power elite who never follow – designed by Timothy
O’Donnell, CCS and engineered by Jennifer Hoskins, UM.
According to O’Donnell,
“A motorcycle is considered the ultimate thrill you can have on
the street. This is where the Hematon draws inspiration. The Hematon
incorporates efficiency, fun and also adds safety.
“Hematon is designed to appeal
to the 20-30 year olds looking for a second car for fun or for a primary
mode of transportation that is efficient and affordable. The Hematon is
intended to be a competitor with high-end sport bikes and sports cars
under $30,000.
“The Hematon is inspired by the
exposed frame and integrated body parts seen on sport bikes. By pushing
the frame out to the surface of the body, it becomes a visible
reassuring reminder to the driver that there is a structurally sound,
high-strength steel exoskeleton protecting them at all times.
“By combining knife-edge
intersections with elegant flowing horizontal lines, the Hematon can
capture a viewer’s attention and guide the eye 360 degrees around
the car. The nose is an aggressive design that implies forward motion
inspired by the Pontiac Grand American Rolex race cars. The rear is
where the Hematon houses it series hybrid drive train and cools its
vital engine parts. The rear view is comparable to the look of a
motorcycle’s air-cooled engine.
“The chassis of the Hematon
incorporates high-strength hydroformed side and rear rails. A rollover
bar that connects to a central rail protects the driver from above and
allows for the removal of the A-pillars. A steel beam also runs from
side-to-side directly behind the occupants’ seats. This allows for
the energy in a side impact to be transferred away from the occupants
and for a solid structure bracing the seats.
“Lightweight hydroformed and
stamped body panels provide package space and help enable the knife-edge
styling to flow seamlessly from exposed frame to painted body
surface.”
Since 1989, the AISI summer
internship program has challenged the students to design concept cars
with visual appeal directed at a specific theme. But whether creating
concept cars from movie themes or from today’s lifestyle
challenges, the students work toward one basic goal: using advanced
steel technologies to design safe, affordable, fuel-efficient and
environmentally responsible vehicles.
AISI serves as the voice of the North
American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case
for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice.
AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new
steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 32 member
companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and
125 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of
the steel industry. AISI's member companies represent more than 75
percent of both U.S. and North American steel
capacity.
The Automotive Applications Committee (AAC) is a
subcommittee of the Market Development Committee of AISI and focuses on
advancing the use of steel in the highly competitive automotive market.
With offices and staff located in Detroit, cooperation between the automobile and steel industries has
been key to its success. This industry cooperation resulted in the
formation of the Auto/Steel Partnership, a consortium of DaimlerChrysler
Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation and the
member companies of the AAC. For more news or information, view the
American Iron and Steel Institute /Automotive Applications Committee's
website at www.autosteel.org.
American Iron and Steel Institute/
Automotive Applications Committee:
AK Steel
Corporation
ArcelorMittal
Dofasco Inc.
Nucor
Corporation
Severstal North America Inc.
United
States Steel Corporation
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