As his first foray into the world of automobile design, innovative Welsh designer teamed up with the French firm of Renault to produce the high-concept Twin‘Z city car. Released at the Salone del Mobile, an unlikely venue for an automobile, the car was presented as a design project more suitable for this audience rather than the average car lover. The fifth in a series of Renault concept cars inspired by the human life cycle, the Twin’Z which is powered by a an electric generator, focuses on the lighter side of life, its playful bright blue shell perfect for an extrovert way of life.
As a designer, Ross Lovegrove is inspired by and concentrates on, the phenomena of nature which he interprets through contemporary computer design methodology, by using parametric models together with new materials and techniques. With emphasis on maximum cabin space, this people friendly, lightweight vehicle contains four small seats upholstered in 3D woven textile, and forgoes the need for a dashboard, which is replaced by a touch pad. A LED system Tron inspired circuit board and neon lighting system is evident throughout, not more so that the unique glass roof assembled in layers to incorporate the LED lights which are intended to ‘bathe the passengers in light and respond to their energy!’ Brightly coloured tyres were developed by Michelin on glowing organic inspired green wheels.
The many fun design elements of the Twin’Z are likely to be incorporated into the future models of the Renault range but the car itself is still a concept brought about by the fresh artistic input of a pioneering designer together with the many years of experience of Renault.
