Motorexpo explores future of motoring with Royal College of Arts

The UK’s largest motoring event, Motorexpo, based at Canary Wharf, has enlisted the help of automotive design students from London’s Royal College of Arts (RCA) to help create a vision of motoring in 2032.

In a competition conceived to showcase the talents
of the next generation of UK car designers, the RCA students have been tasked with designing an electric vehicle that moves away from the traditional ‘three box’ shape of today’s cars, and explores unconventional shapes, layouts and forms.  The only caveat to which the RCA students must work is that their design must be able to carry four adults and their luggage.

The shortlisted submissions will be displayed around the Canary Wharf business and shopping district for the duration of the Motorexpo event. The best designs will then take pride-of-place at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) new headquarters in west London.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges that will include renowned automotive designer Peter Stevens, responsible for designing the McLaren F1 and 1999 Le Mans winning BMW.

“The Royal College of Arts has produced some of the world’s most respected automotive designers, so we are expecting great things from the current students. With a challenging yet open brief there is potential for some intriguing designs, and we hope that the winning submission will challenge perceptions of how cars should look," commented Graeme Carver, CEO of Motorexpo.

“Many of the designs will be on display in highly visible public areas at Motorexpo throughout the event, so visitors will be able to take a glimpse into the future for themselves.” he concluded.

Now in its 17th year, Motorexpo is by far the UK’s largest motoring event, and the show’s organisers expect attendance to reach 425,000 in 2012. Over 250 vehicles will be on display from manufacturers including Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Vauxhall and Volvo to name just a few. Visitors will also have the opportunity to test drive many of the vehicles on display through this year’s ‘DriveME’ feature.

Motorexpo is open daily at Canary Wharf from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM (Monday 11 to Saturday June 16) and 11.00 AM to 5.00 PM on Sunday June 17. Entry is free.

Posted in: Canary Wharf,Graeme Carver,International,London Motorexpo 2012,Royal College of Art,Shows/Expo,Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders,UK's Largest Motoring Event