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latter in the most recent past: besides show
cars for Hyundai (incl. Hyundai Clix, Frank-
furt International Motor Show 2001) and
Mazda (Mazda 6 MPS Concept, Paris Motor
Show 2002), his last outstanding effort was
the design of the ‘Luminus’ shown on the
Edscha / IVM Automotive stand at the 2003
Geneva Motor Show. Luminus, based on a
modified Mercedes-Benz A-Class, demonstra-
ted the comprehensive skills of the designers
and engineers of IVM Automotive. They
equipped the vehicle with a panorama roof
measuring just about 1.5 square meters, thus
glazing it almost over its entire length and
width; the roof slides along the roof rails.
They furnished the Luminus interior with two
independently operating roller blinds and
high-grade leather appointments; and on a
projection screen they presented further (vir-
tual) innovative ideas for roofs, doors and
lids. “For the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show we
again have built a show car for a customer,
but we can’t talk about it as yet. And we’re
engaged in concrete talks for the 2004 Gene-
va Motor Show”, Wolkind disclosed after per-
sistent inquiry.
A lover of Cuban cigars, he is assisted by a
44-strong team of university-educated de-
signers, clay modellers and Alias modellers,
studio engineers and model makers. They
demonstrate creativity, professional compe-
tence and a feel for shape and configuration
day in, day out – sketching exteriors,
interiors and color & trim concepts, making
clay models by hand, performing digital design
with Alias, and finally producing models from
electronic data records with milling cutters.
“At the end of the digital process chain, we
also offer our customers the possibility of
viewing design concepts in a 3D virtual dis-
play”, Wolkind explained. This enables design-
ers to assess a vehicle in all its dimensions,
colors and variants in an early concept phase.
DESIGN OF THE FUTURE
Because he is not a man to bank on getting
lucky, the chief designer pursues a clear
vision: “In future we intend to increasingly
realize design studies of our own, which we
then present to our international customers.”
IVM Automotive already possesses the prere-
quisites to do so, Wolkind is sure – good
ideas in particular: “We have creativity in
abundance. And that is vital in a market as
competitive as ours.”
So far, however, most industry observers
still associate creativity much rather with the
independent design studios in Italy. “We’re
just as good”, says Wolkind: “We just lack the
history, which is why, with many customers,
we’ve only been able to make a name for our-
selves so far as technical designers. But we’re
going to change that.”
Christina Kaulhausen
A CAR IN
FOUR ACTS
Design sketch, clay model, 3D
image – this is how first ideas
turn into a new car at IVM
Automotive. Before it makes its
first appearance, for example
as a show car, it’s not only
ideas and machine tools that
are buzzing: professional work
to tight schedules is essential.
edwin 02
|
2003
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