Super Hatchback in Space

The following post is all about designer Jamie Martin’s design for the “Super Hatchback Concept” auto, but before the details are revealed, we have got to talk about the accompanying video (also included below.) Jamie Martin is what appears to me to be a master of presentation. He knows how to render 3D objects, he knows how to sketch and illustrate, he knows how to animate, and he’s pretty darn good at graphic design. This dude is the full package. Also he has a car to present to you.

This car looks fantastic, and would’ve looked fantastic without such a magnificently designed video and website. But it’s got both. It’s given its due, and I think, by the looks of it, it’s due is to be presented in a magically ALIEN inspired video which you can view below. Notice the excellent use of pre-skin grid on the model. Fantastically utilized. Now for some details.

SHC aims to look cutting-edge and fast, with a choice of three powertrains, environmentally friendly details, and supercar features in an everyday car. It has the options of ‘AirHybrid’ & ‘Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI).’ It’s got Front-Engined with lateral orientation, sequential twin-turbocharging with overboost facility, direct injection, stop-start technology, regenerative braking, alternator de-coupling system, 6-speed short-shift manual gearbox, and optional 7-speed Ford powershift transmission with Paddleshift. From there it gets really simple, right?

POWERTRAIN & TRANSMISSION OPTIONS
‘Delta Drive Hybrid (DDH)’ electric technology

Smaller petrol engine and turbine mounted at the front. Allows the car to be driven for 70 miles emission free via charged batteries, before petrol engine is required to power generator. 3-performance modes: Economy (low bhp), Normal (medium bhp), and Performance (high bhp). ‘Performance Mode’ utilises both the petrol engine and electric generator, combined for ultimate track-day power.

High torque, ultra thin electric motors mounted within the front wheels. Nano-Titanate batteries situated in the front engine bay, plus mid and rear underfloor. Optimal weight distribution and a lower center of gravity.

CHASSIS & WHEELS
Front Wheel Drive with Mechanical Limited Slip Differential and next generation Ford RevoKnuckle Axle system. Part Aluminium / High Tensile Steel chassis for reduced weight, improved weight distribution and relatively low costs. Aluminium suspension components for reduced unsprung mass (and improved handling & ride).

Magnetorheological Fluid Suspension with Normal, Sport & Track modes. Flat underside with rear diffuser (high downforce and reduced drag). 18” Forged Lightweight Alloys with 245/40/18 Next Generation Lightweight Run Flat Tyres. 4-pot front brake callipers, 2-pot Rear with 350mm Front discs / 320mm rear; both drilled, ventilated & colour-coordinated.

BODY
65% Steel / 35% Aluminium used for Front Wings, Bonnet & Bumpers, thus improving weight distribution whilst cutting kerb weight. Alternatively 30% Glass Reinforced Plastic can used for denoted sections.

DETAILING
Front and rear window ‘air-streams’, combined with hydrophobic and super-fast screen heating. Eliminates the need for windscreen wipers or washers, and reduces drag. High-Intensity LED/Single-Source Fibre-Optic illumination used on the headlight wing, lower fog light, and rear lights. Clean aesthetic lines and drag minimisation through ‘hidden’ door-handles underneath side bodywork crease.

PROJECTED SPECIFICATIONS
BHP @ RPM: 272 @ 5500 – 6500 I TORQUE (Lb/Ft) @ RPM: 290 @ 1750 – 5500 I WEIGHT (KG): 1280 I POWER TO WEIGHT (bhp/tonne): 212 I TORQUE TO WEIGHT (Lb/Ft / tonne): 226 I SPECIFIC OUTPUT (bhp/litre): 160 I 0-62mph: 5.6 I 0-100mph: 13.3 I Top Speed (mph): 167 I MPG (combined): 52 I CO2 (g/km): 115 I LENGTH (cm): 4014 I WIDTH (cm): 1924 I HEIGHT (cm): 1358 I WHEELBASE (cm): 2602 I PRICE: £27,000 (2014)

Birthed of a desire to mate a supercar with a 3-door hatchback. Hotness. I’ll take one, right away! Let’s drive this sassy machine across the universe.

Designer: Jamie Martin