Graduating students from the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin (IED) Transportation Design course created a thesis project in collaboration with Indian automaker Mahindra.
Asked to create a concept that blurred the boundary between a typical minivan and a compact SUV, the students worked in groups to devise a solution for the European market in keeping with the brand’s identity. They developed the concept for the interior as well as the exterior and created a 3D virtual presentation at the end of the project.
As a reference for the urban minivan, students were asked to design ultra comfortable vehicle with innovative interior spaces to suit a specific target demographic: young adults (25-35 years old), recently married with young children.
The brief for the compact SUV called for a vehicle that catered to the freelance professional — an entrepreneur, plumber, farmer, etc. — and offered the ideal balance between driving performance and vehicle practicality.
The three projects below best satisfied the initial brief and were developed in quarter scale models by Italian model and prototype builder Cecomp and exhibited at IED Turin’s headquarters.
Mahindra Bee concept
Alex Vasil Imnadze
The Bee concept is a six-passenger people carrier with a distinct crossover/SUV aesthetic. “I tried to study a new segment of vehicles for the Indian and European market,” says Alex Vasil Imnadze, who sought inspiration from the Fiat Multipla and Nissan Juke in creating the concept. “Both vehicles have unique and attractive lines with a strong individuality.”
Mahindra Core concept
Denald Jasini and Michal Sebastian Ptak
Drawing inspiration from the Ford Airstream concept, private aircraft and Indian fashion, Denald Jasini and Michal Sebastian Ptak developed the Core concept, a five-passenger vehicle designed for the premium customer. The concept’s louvered rear window allows light to enter the cabin in a distinct pattern which elevates the feeling of luxury, further enhanced by the concepts asymmetrical cabin and lounge-like seating areas.
Mahindra Shroom concept
Aldo Maria Sica
This concept’s name — the Shroom — is derived from three words: ‘Shaking Handling Room’. Though we’re not sure why it’s called that, we do like the concept’s open interior and references to the iconic Volkswagen Microbus – its fully glazed front end descends all the way down to the front bumper! With a playful exterior aesthetic consisting of triangular windows and an electric powertrain, the concept’s focus is on interior space , which can be further augmented thanks to front folding seats when the vehicle is stationary.
