VW Microbox by Ryszard Szymanski, Poland

2005: Germany.

Illustrations on Display at Michelin Challenge Design™

Biography:

My name is Ryszard Szymanski and I live in Poland. In the mid-90’s I worked in design office of Jelcz bus factory. Later I designed vehicle accessories for Heko Company.

Currently, designing is just my hobby. The presented works have been made in 3dsmax program. In 2003 I took the 2nd place at Ford TeSto contest. The subject was a new design of Ford T. Next I won the 1st place at the contest for spiritual successor of Fiat 500 from 1957. The juror was Giorgetto Giugiaro.

In 2004 I took the 3rd place at the contest for the successor of the Warszawa car.

Description:

The Microbox vehicle design refers to the traditional VW Microbus from the 1960’s. The vehicle can be numbered among city minivans. It is a five-person vehicle with the driver’s seat in the center. All information is displayed on the windscreen, which helps driver to concentrate on the road, and thus improves safety. Large windows provide perfect visibility so necessary in city conditions. Push-pull door opening system gives excellent access to the interior, and the high body gives plenty of room in the cabin and spacious trunk.

By installing all the mechanisms in the flat floor more space in the cabin is available. The vehicle is driven by electric engines installed in the hubs of all the wheels and fed from fuel cells or efficient batteries placed under the floor. Thanks to such solution the center of gravity is lower, and the vehicle, despite its high body, takes bends in stable manner.