This week, the buzz for one of 2012’s most eagerly-anticipated cars continues to grow as Renault announces the ten shortlisted entries from the student design competition to tie in with the launch of the 100% electric vehicle, the Twizy. The unique style of the two-seater run-around has captured creative imaginations across the country, but stakes are high for finalists as the designs are now open to the general public to cast their votes to find the lucky winners.
The top prize will give one student £9,000, enough money to cover a years’ worth of tuition fees, with runners up eligible for a weekend for two in Paris, and £250 in French Connection vouchers.
Since January, students throughout the UK have visited designatwizy.co.uk to download the Twizy template and let their creative juices flow in the hope of scooping one of the top prizes. Entries were collected until 20th February 2012, and have since been reviewed by a Renault-appointed judging panel of industry experts: Laurens Van Den Acker (Renault design chief), Thierry Sybord (Managing Director of Renault UK) and Quentin Willson (renowned motoring journalist and TV personality). As they reviewed the entries to curate their top ten designs, the panel were overwhelmed, not only by the response to the competition, but also by the diverse creativity demonstrated by the students.
The shortlisted designs, ranging from neon digital-graffiti to monochromatic jungle-inspired prints, were chosen by the judges for their originality, marketability and of course, overall style. Public votes are now being cast until March 30th 2012 via designatwizy.co.uk, which showcases the innovative and quirky designs from each of the finalists. The winner and two runners up will be announced on 16th April 2012.
The full list of shortlisted finalists:
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Lauren Milton-McNally, aged 19 from Birmingham, studying Psychology at Birmingham City University
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Matthew Mallory, aged 20 from Hull, studying Graphic Design at HullSchoolof Art & Design
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Luca Bresolin, aged 23 from Milan, studying Art and Design at Birmingham City University
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Rachel Smith, aged 20 from Doncaster, studying Advertising and Media Relations at Huddersfield University
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Joe Murfin, aged 23 from Shropshire, studying Marketing Advertising and Media Relations at Birmingham City University
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Edward Arthur Fox, aged 22 from Leeds, studying Fine Art at UniversityCollege London
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Tim Reading, aged 30 from Cheshire, studying Industrial Design at Hertfordshire University
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Laura Turnbull, aged 26 from Hawick, studying Graphic Design at Hertfordshire University (shortlisted for two designs)
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Emma Brown, aged 24 from Bristol, studying Graphic Design at University of West England
Quentin Willson, on the competition entries, said “The competition has clearly captured the imagination of the student world it has been a pleasure seeing some of the UK’s design talent on display. Innovation in car design is something I’m very passionate about and what better audience to look to for this than our students who are the innovators of tomorrow.”
The trailblazing Twizy is an all-electric vehicle, producing zero emissions during its use on the road. British buyers have already been pre-ordering their own Twizy on renault-ze.com, and cars are set to hit UK streets from April 13th 2012. There is a choice of three trim levels from just £6,690, plus monthly battery hire from £45 based on 4,500 miles per year, over three years.
On the new Twizy, Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme, Renault UK, said, “We’re really excited to launch the Twizy in the UK. Its low price, combined with expected low insurance premiums and running costs, means that Twizy will be well suited to younger drivers interested in an affordable way of getting around in style, in a much safer method than two wheels, whether it be pedal power, scooter or motorbike.”
