Interview about Nera Asimmetrica Hybrid Hypercar, winner of the A' Idea and Conceptual Design Award 2023
The Nera Asimmetrica is meant to be a tribute to the past projected into the future. A starting point for a new type of concept hypercar. Old solutions meet with new devices and technologies, harmonizing into sinuous forms and extraordinary performance that give to the driver a riding experience not only intimate but also thrilling. Having the liberty to choose which type of traction to use in this hybrid vehicle give to the driver a sense of total control. The past has been homaged by creating something special, that breaks the patterns for the future generations.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsI decided to make certain retro elements an integral part of my personal style, to make my designs recognizable and impactful at first glance. Using 3D printing technology to create pop-up headlights is a great example of how to innovate a concept from the past by giving it new life and new functions, both aerodynamically and stylistically.
Modularity is another cornerstone of my designs. I chose this approach to ensure not only a full interchange capability of components in the production phase, but also and especially to enable a passive/active safety function that is indispensable in high-performance cars. The use of composite materials and structures with a high degree of kinetic absorption proved crucial in finding the right compromise between safety and performance.
I wanted to make the driving experience an intimate one in which the human and the car could find a symbiosis without the need to disconnect the hands from the steering wheel. Giving a personality to the cars, making them alive, albeit virtually, gives the driver the feeling of having a companion, a security with which to fully enjoy the driving experience without compromise, surrendering his or her senses to the music of the boxer engine that reaches directly into the ears through a structure specifically designed to maximize the experience.
Taking advantage of the operating principle at the base of modern formula 1 engines, the MGU-H system connected to the two turbochargers resets turbo lag to zero and allows batteries to be recharged more efficiently through the use of exhaust gases. By means of a special mode these two engines modulate the inflow of cold incoming air enriching or decreasing the explosive capacity of the mixture, going, together with the variable valve control system, to result in incredibly precise and efficient fuel consumption control.
The feasible possibility of adapting the car's special modular chassis to a plethora of customizable setups, creating, with one and only one design, the basis for multiple possible derivations that with a single production line would cut costs and guarantee the end customer a wide choice on possible customizations. In addition, it is rare to be able to take advantage of large-capacity trunks on high-performance single-seater sports cars, but with the Nera Asimmetrica this becomes possible.
The cockpit is a chimera that draws its pivotal mechanical elements from the old supercars of the past, giving a sense of familiarity on first impact when entering the cabin. Secondly, I tried to integrate, in a few targeted areas, most of the controls such as the drive mode selector at the base of the steering wheel and the infotainment system fully integrated into the I-PAD removable from the dashboard.
Definitely the idea of inserting a lateral periscope in reference to the aggressive and exaggerated design of the Formula 1 cars of the 70s. This aggressive and exuberant structure is however structurally integrated in a harmonious way with the base of the cockpit structure and this makes it a harmoniously integrated part of the design, a whole specifically designed to be both functional and to create a retro-futuristic effect capable of projecting the gaze into a cyberpunk future, distant from ours but from which it draws its strong and distinctive roots, easily identifiable through the design elements chosen to give heart and soul to this car and to the project of which it is part.
Keeping the car's center of gravity as low as possible. Using an engine like the flat-six boxer and the presence of two electric motors in the front of the car so small, together with the presence of large and comfortable cockpits placed in the center-front area of the body, a comfortable compromise has been found to keep the car well pointed on the front axle also and above all thanks to passive aerodynamic principles capable of creating a great vertical force in the nose area, without forgetting the great importance of the two venturi channels present on the bottom of the car which make up about 30% of its total aerodynamic load capacity.
On one hand, it has certified my ability to create solid and functional designs, but on the other, it has stimulated me to always look for new ideas for improvement. I take this prestigious recognition as a starting point, not as a point of arrival. It has represented for me a beacon pointed in the direction I want to follow, now I just have to take the other steps that separate me from success.
Certainly the concrete application of structures and devices such as mobile wings and venturi channels, or the use of MGU-H in support of turbocharged engines, as well as artificial intelligence technology to support the driver's driving experience. This car is a test bench to test as much as possible and exploit futuristic solutions through classic designs to make everyday life easier and more comfortable. The Nera Asimmetrica represents an exclusive choice, but it stands out as a black square in the automotive landscape with extraordinary strength and character.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
