A supercar green-lighted for production by Arash Cars was the star attraction at the annual Coventry University Automotive Design degree show.
The university has built upon its long-standing reputation in the automotive design industry, with several of this year’s graduates securing employment with Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin.
Arash Farboud - founder-owner of Arash Cars – told Autocar that the scale Arash AF-8 on display at the show previews the final design for the production model to be revealed at next year’s Geneva motor show.
The AF-8 was designed by Bujär Muharremi and Toby Mellor while on placement with Arash last year, and will be powered by a Corvette V8 engine producing as much as 700bhp.
Among the other notable designs at the show was a battery-powered 250kg Caterham X-70 designed by Luke Smith as a successor to the iconic Seven. It uses a carbonfibre monocoque chassis and Lithium-Air batteries to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 500bhp-per-tonne.
The Playstation Car by Gareth Culverhouse is a concept designed to combine track racing with augmented virtual reality. Users would compete with friends using virtual weaponry projected onto the drivers’ HUD.
Read more on last year's Coventry design degree show
Some students preferred to explore greener ideas. Akash Patel’s BMW Creo is designed to minimise its environmental footprint from production to disposal, even being shipped to dealers in parts to cut transportation costs.
The Holden X-Over concept by Amar Asodia is hydrogen-powered and radically transforms from a five-seat SUV into a two-seat pickup, using a novel folding roof and versatile seating options.
It wasn’t just cars on show - Shehbaz Ali’s Aston Martin motorcyle was designed while he was on a work placement with the company.
Joe Breeze
Coventry University Automotive Design degree show stars
Arash AF-8Arash has green-lighted Bujar Muharemmi and Toby Mellor's AF-8 for production
Aston Martin BikeShehbaz Ali's Aston Martin motorbike blends contemporary design with retro chopper styling
Audi SeroAudi Sero by Matthew Watson uses sustainable materials and user interaction within a city car
Bizzarrini VelenoBorys Dabrowski's Veleno concept visualises the resurrection of 1960's Italian manufacturer Bizzarrini
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How come I didn't know about
How come I didn't know about this university before? Those students are really talented, i would love to drive any of the cars they have designed! I wonder if they have any students online programs.