Crucible by Benjamin Miller

RCA reveals top designs for 2022 Lexus challenge

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Students at the Royal College of Arts have revealed their luxury car designs as part of the creative challenge sponsored by car brand Lexus.

The Lexus 2040: the Soul of Future Premium design challenge involved 20 postgraduate students from the RCA’s Intelligent Mobility MA in the Intelligent Mobility Design Centre.

Tasked with imagining what luxury mobility will look like in 2040, RCA students explored new vehicle architectures able to meet changes in European city life, society and demographics.

Finalists of the Lexus challenge will now refine and develop their work ahead of a public exhibition on March 15th at the RCA’s new campus in Battersea, during which the three winning projects will be announced.

The RCA students have been assessed by the president of Lexus and Toyota’s ED2 Design Centre Ian Cartabiano, the general manager at ED2 Lance Scott, and RCA professors Dale Harrow and Chris Thorpe, who shortlisted six projects.

“We were very impressed by the breadth of creativity and innovation shown by all the designers,” said Cartabiano.

“They demonstrated skill and imagination in bringing together their ideas for future mobility and vision of how the concept of Lexus premium quality might evolve.”

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RCA professor Dale Harrow said: “The staff and students from RCA Intelligent Mobility are delighted to have collaborated with Lexus on The Soul of Future Premium. The project has provided an exciting and challenging context in which to explore future mobility with a premium global brand.”


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Crucible by Benjamin Miller

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UrbanSwarm by Maxime-Gauthier

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