Berman Autostyle Competition 2006
I was happy to be invited on the 3rd edition of the Berman Autostyle Competition in 2006, organised by the Italian company Berman. I had to work on two different cars each from a separate cateory: Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon – create a sports version and Suzuki SX4.
The task was to create a special version based on an existing production or concept car. I had to focus mainly on the exterior and was allowed to add accessory parts or replace original OE components such as bumpers, grilles, side skirts, wheel arches, mouldings etc. No modifications to the original bodywork were permitted. For more information: www.berman.it
THE AWARD
Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon won the first prize in the sports car category on the 2006 edition of the competition. The success of the project was further boosted by the special compliments of Mr. Wolfgang Egger – chief designer of Alfa Romeo at the time.
DESIGN
Alfa Romeo always stands out for sportiness, elegance and aggressive look. In order to make the sportwagon even “sportier” I had to push these typical to Alfa characteristics even further – but not exaggerate them. The good balance between beauty & aggressiveness had to be found.
The main feature on the car was the highly sculptured body side section which enhanced a lot the profile view and contributed to the general sports look of the vehicle. I achieved that by the help of carbon fiber composite panels, trimmed & fixed where necessary to ensure the doors opening – mounted on the bottom side of the car – on the top of the original panels. There is a rear disk brake intake at the lower part the of the rear door.
The other thing that compliments the sports look of the car is the rear bumper, sculptured the same way like the side skirts. Made from the plastic material as the original ones of Alfa Romeo 159 and featuring a huge diffuser from carbon fibre composite material. The car benefits from the light weight materials and the down force, provided by the diffuser. The front is no exception to the overall look of the car – aggressive and highly sculptured – fender built from carbon fibre composite material. Alloy wheels also changed. Alfa Romeo Grill – surrounding white chrome frame – the same material as the door handles.