When you ask a smattering of design students from around the globe to envision the Ferrari of 2040, you’re bound to get a mixed bag of results. This has never been more evident than in Ferrari’s Top Design School Challenge, because in its third iteration, entries ranged from sci-fi-inspired supercars to ultramodern interior concepts that appear to float on air.
Alas, there can only be one winner. This time around, the Ferrari Manifesto concept from France’s ISD-Rubika design school was awarded “Gran Premio Assoluto” honors, earning high marks for its sleek exterior, breathtaking door mechanism, and cohesive overall vision. Unlike many of the other entrants, the Manifesto’s body, interior, and even its running gear are fleshed out, which impressed the star-studded jury of Ferrari engineers, drivers, and collectors. Could the Manifesto really preview the Ferrari of 2040? We certainly hope so.
The Manifesto may have gotten top billing this year, but a very honorable mention went to the FL concept from Germany’s Hochschule Pforzheim school. Looking like something out of the Star Wars prequels, the FL is actually an interpretation of a future Ferrari cabin, one that embraces unorthodox shapes, materials, and technologies. All vehicle dynamics like steering, braking, and acceleration are controlled through the FL’s steering wheel, which moves forward and backward like a horizontally-opposed piston. In place of the pedals sits a movable foot support, and each seat features its own cooling unit and floating headrest.
The Top Design School Challenge also features an online poll section, where everyday fans decide the winner of the “Premio Speciale” award. This year, the striking de Esfera concept from Hongik University in Seoul, Korea came out on top. No matter the winner though, after looking through these concepts, we think you’ll agree that the future of Ferrari is very bright indeed.
Volkswagen’s newest EVs in China are making its American and European models look unusually conservative.
With Xpeng’s help, VW has introduced 800-volt charging and advanced urban driving assistance. The new VEGA technology package brings its locally developed vehicle platforms and CEA electronic architecture under one umbrella. Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen intends to update VEGA every three months. Western buyers can find pieces of that package, but not the whole thing in a Volkswagen.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?