Posted on Sunday 6 April 2008
Each year GM sponsors events and contests at various universities around the world to help nurture and encourage young designers with the hope that some of their talent will eventually benefit the carmaker’s future production models. In February, GM ran a design studio at Cincinnati’s College of Design and Art and one of the most promising concepts created during the event was the Chevrolet Riptide hybrid rally concept.
The concept was created by student designer Chris Kujawski as a challenge to the notion that hybrid cars can’t be aggressive or powerful. The concept is in fact a hybrid rally car powered by a turbocharged biodeisel engine and four electric motors, one mounted in each wheel. The two-tone body panels, made of lightweight aluminum and recycled plastic, are designed to reflect the dual nature of the powerplant.
