Art Center and Clemson University students unveil Mazda Deep Orange 3 concept

Art Center College of Design and Clemson University students joined forces to design and develop a next-generation Mazda concept, the Deep Orange 3.

The Deep Orange 3, which features a body designed by Art Center student Frederick Naaman, has been unveiled at the Center for Automotive Research Management's Briefing Seminars in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The project started with market research focusing on what kind of car Generation Y would want to drive, with the results showing that the majority wanted five or more seats. This led the team to decide on placing three bucket seats in front and in back.

Its chassis was unveiled during the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas, featuring a 3+3 seating configuration in a sports car architecture and a unique hybrid powertrain. It automatically chooses front-, rear- or all-wheel drive as well as a load-bearing structure based on innovative sheet-folding technology patented by Industrial Origami. It measures 4,450mm long, 1,905mm wide, 1,350mm high, riding on a wheelbase of 2,730mm.

"Deep Orange offers companies an exclusive opportunity to showcase advanced-vehicle technologies," said Stewart Reed, chairman of Transportation Design for the Art Center College of Design. "For designers and engineers alike, it's a rich experience of working directly with industry leaders to develop ideas.

"Today is extremely exciting. The result is a physical, drivable vehicle, and nothing could be more exciting for our students."

The project showcases advanced vehicle technologies and gave students the chance to work alongside automotive industry partners to develop their ideas. At the unveiling, Clemson University's Chris LaMance, who was part of the design team, explained that the vehicle's rough interior was designed to emphasize the use of Industrial Origami.

Naaman said their aim was to create a car with Mazda's KODO design language that would look more expensive than it would be.

Derek Jenkins, design director for Mazda North American Operations, said, "These students have provided fresh and inventive ideas from sketch pad to sheet metal, and the final product truly speaks to that open dialogue and collaboration between the Art Center College of Design and Clemson University."

In 2010, Clemson students unveiled their first Deep Orange car at a Petit Le Mans race in Atlanta. It was the first prototype vehicle to emerge from the school's graduate automotive engineering program, launched in 2006.

By Rufus Thompson