2006: California.
Drawings on Display at Michelin Challenge Design™
Biography:
Christian Ebert, 29, was born and raised in Germany. After receiving his secondary school education in 1996, he joined the German Red Cross as a paramedic in emergency and medical services. He began his industrial design career after a year in the Red Cross as a modeler for the company, Engineering and Design AG. At this position he worked mainly with clay modeling, hard modeling as well as interior and exterior models.
In 2001, he went back to school to pursue a product design degree at the Academy of Art and Design, Offenbach. During these studies he has designed numerous concept vehicles including the “NUGGET” concept which was selected for the 2006 Michelin Challenge Design. Other concepts have included: “Child safety seat” in cooperation with a project for DaimlerChryser; “Dynamic passenger seat”, a train seat for long distance trains and “European pick-up”, an exterior design for a European pick-up truck.
Description:
The concept “NUGGET” is based on the GM “AUTONOMY” platform that provides propulsion and powertrain in a flat skateboard chassis. Forward-looking fuel cell technology and the drive-by-wire concept give me a maximum playroom in exterior and interior design. The exterior design puts emphasis on the wheel motors and tyres as well as the cabin for the occupants.
In 2020 car design needs new images. Due to a more and more flexible society “NUGGET” is abele to react on different driving situations and different ways of utilization. For each situation Nugget creates a new image and alters his appearance.
The cabin provides space for two occupants and is able to move linear upon the platform from a front to a center position. The centered position lowers the air drag coefficient and the center of gravity and allows highest driving performance. Additionally it offers an extended crutch zone in the rear and front areas.
Brought to the front the cabin can be moved radially into an upright position. This situation is meant for slow cruise. The driver gets a van-like overview through the city traffic. At this stage the passengers can enter and leave the cabin through the widely opened wind shield. Steering instruments and safety facilities are attached to the shield. With closing the shield, control and safety comes to the drivers hands. He feels safe and directly connected to his car.
The front position reveals a large space which can be used as a cargo area in different ways. “NUGGET” can now run as a pick-up for bulky goods and sports equipment or can carry a semi-trailer for heavy goods like a boat, sailplane or travel trailer.
Furthermore it is possible to think of a second cabin for more than two passengers or an ambulance cabin.
With its consequent platform strategies “NUGGET” opens a door to the future for new cross over- and multi purpose-vehicles.
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