Concept of the Week

Sergio Loureiro

A student design study presents a vision of a radically sleek electric sports car

The Phoenix

By Stuart Schwartzapfel

The Phoenix concept is the final project of Sergio Loureiro, a graduating student of the Royal College of Art's Transportation Design program. Loureiro's electric roadster design was inspired by watches, engines and classic cars such as the 1935 Monaco Trossi, a legendary Grand Prix racing vehicle. The design purposely exposes the eco-friendly components inside, including an electric motor and batteries. The vehicle's general flair—its orange wings hovering over the rear tires and flame-like body shape—symbolizes the power of a sports car. But Loureiro's design study suggests that flowing forms and clean power can coexist.

Verdict: Green painted racer red.

Stuart Schwartzapfel is a regular contributor to BusinessWeek.com. He has studied the automotive marketplace and works as an advertising and marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.

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