[AS Graphics - Project Caterham]
Discussion
Greetings:
I am a high school student in New Zealand, currently studying Cambridge Graphics. My project for this year is to design and prototype a close bodied sportscar based on the chassis of the Caterham Seven.
If you have owned a Seven or are currently driving one, I'd appreciate some opinions on the car. This would be part of the User Profile, outlining user feedback on the current model and feelings towards specific features, or lack there-of.
If anyone can help me out with some things that they may want/like to be included into the close-bodied design that will help me further my concepts this would be appreciated. I am aiming the design towards Caterham enthusiasts/owners aged from late 20s to early 40s, so anyone that is able to help out with some user likes and needs can you please post them here including your age. The range of ages means I can do things like varying colour schemes and materials for interiors, modifying additional features/optional extras you may like such as adding a stereo/air con/etc, this would be very helpful.
I will be posting some initial sketches and thoughts as the project progresses, so any feedback/critique would be greatly appreciated
I am a high school student in New Zealand, currently studying Cambridge Graphics. My project for this year is to design and prototype a close bodied sportscar based on the chassis of the Caterham Seven.
If you have owned a Seven or are currently driving one, I'd appreciate some opinions on the car. This would be part of the User Profile, outlining user feedback on the current model and feelings towards specific features, or lack there-of.
If anyone can help me out with some things that they may want/like to be included into the close-bodied design that will help me further my concepts this would be appreciated. I am aiming the design towards Caterham enthusiasts/owners aged from late 20s to early 40s, so anyone that is able to help out with some user likes and needs can you please post them here including your age. The range of ages means I can do things like varying colour schemes and materials for interiors, modifying additional features/optional extras you may like such as adding a stereo/air con/etc, this would be very helpful.
I will be posting some initial sketches and thoughts as the project progresses, so any feedback/critique would be greatly appreciated
Edited by Smashproof on Friday 30th May 04:02
lawtoma said:
Sounds like a great project! I can't help with dimensions (but Google and Caterham themselves might) but would love to see what you come up with! Are you thinking along the lines of the LMP type cars?
Hello Lawtoma.Well, the big idea is to create something a bit easier to live with everyday, with some basic comforts such as soundproofing and perhaps air conditioning thrown in.
As we know, after Lotus sold Caterham the blueprints for the original Seven design, they went on to make lightweight roadcars with elegant bodywork [In my opinions, anyway..].
And after 50-something years of tinkering and perfecting the original design it's probably about time for Caterham to step up into this as well... The Seven chassis is a good starting point I should imagine
Ah, yes. Hopefully this car could redress the failure of the 21...
And yes, as ambitious as this may be I do have the Lotus Elise and possibly the 4C in my sights.
Anyways, here are some initial sketches.. I am acutely aware that they may not be in the right proportions, but just for starters..
And yes, as ambitious as this may be I do have the Lotus Elise and possibly the 4C in my sights.
Anyways, here are some initial sketches.. I am acutely aware that they may not be in the right proportions, but just for starters..
Rockets7 said:
You'd be better off taking a course in manners first !
I see nothing particularly wrong with anything he's said?I would google articles comparing the Elise and 7. While they're entirely different in the way they're built and their engine layout, many people would consider the Elise as a "less hardcore" 7 with more creature comforts and better isolation from the outside world.
The steel frame of the 7 makes it pretty difficult to do too much with the design. Take note of the transmission tunnel between the driver and passenger, you'd nee to incorporate that into your design. You might want to also look into the SV and CSR chassis since they give more room, and in the case of the CSR, a more sophisticated suspension setup that would be more suited to a car with larger proportions.
framerateuk said:
I see nothing particularly wrong with anything he's said?
I would google articles comparing the Elise and 7. While they're entirely different in the way they're built and their engine layout, many people would consider the Elise as a "less hardcore" 7 with more creature comforts and better isolation from the outside world.
The steel frame of the 7 makes it pretty difficult to do too much with the design. Take note of the transmission tunnel between the driver and passenger, you'd nee to incorporate that into your design. You might want to also look into the SV and CSR chassis since they give more room, and in the case of the CSR, a more sophisticated suspension setup that would be more suited to a car with larger proportions.
Thanks for the reply:I would google articles comparing the Elise and 7. While they're entirely different in the way they're built and their engine layout, many people would consider the Elise as a "less hardcore" 7 with more creature comforts and better isolation from the outside world.
The steel frame of the 7 makes it pretty difficult to do too much with the design. Take note of the transmission tunnel between the driver and passenger, you'd nee to incorporate that into your design. You might want to also look into the SV and CSR chassis since they give more room, and in the case of the CSR, a more sophisticated suspension setup that would be more suited to a car with larger proportions.
The Elise hmm.. Yea, lightweight and agile, but with just enough bits and pieces for everyday use. Glassfibre body, and aluminium chassis underneath; simple formula, and it works.
The steel frame.. yea, that could prove to be problematic. I was thinking of simply covering up the arches with a wider body.. Not that simple, I guess. And then there's the trouble of adding doors on what's effectively made to be an open-seater.
As for the SV/CSR chassis.. Yes, ideally those should work. More space is always good
Right, back to the drawing board.
Again, thanks for the info!
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