In a remarkable display of creativity and innovation, a group of 22 students from the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in collaboration with Italdesign in Turin has unveiled the Rapida, a concept car designed to capture the hearts of young enthusiasts. The prototype, created in collaboration with Italdesign, embodies a new vision of sportiness, blending modern aesthetics with the essence of iconic sports cars from the past.
A Bold Vision for the Future
The project began with a straightforward yet challenging goal: to design a sporty, accessible car that reflects the dreams and aspirations of Generation Z. Unlike hypercars, which remain unattainable for most, Rapida aims to be a youthful, dynamic car reminiscent of compact sports legends like the Fiat 850 Coupé, Ford Puma, and Opel Tigra. The result is a sleek, compact vehicle that balances performance, style, and affordability.
A Collaborative Effort
Guided by professors and experts from Italdesign, the students spent six months working as a professional design team, analyzing market trends and shaping a car that merges innovation with practicality. The prototype was crafted with the support of technical partners, including Pirelli, OZ Racing, Lechler, and Scuderia Torino, responsible for the car’s distinctive paintwork and finishing touches.
Design Highlights
The Rapida’s design is both striking and open to interpretation. Its front end draws subtle inspiration from contemporary Toyota and Nissan models, with hints of Ferrari elegance. The side profile, meanwhile, echoes the dynamic lines of the Honda NSX while incorporating a touch of Porsche sophistication. This blend of influences highlights the versatility and personal taste embedded in the concept.
A unique signature of the Rapida is its visor-like roofline, a design element typical of Italdesign. Despite the diverse origins of the students—from India to Argentina, Italy to Canada—the team worked in harmony to deliver a cohesive and innovative final product. According to Michele Albera, project coordinator, the design also takes inspiration from the Lancia Stratos cabin, though adapted to suit modern proportions.
Italdesign's Role
Italdesign played a fundamental role in the development of Rapida, not only guiding the students through the design process but also providing technical expertise and industry insight. Their commitment to innovative design and their extensive experience in crafting iconic vehicles were key elements in shaping Rapida’s identity.
Founded in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro, Italdesign has been a pioneer in automotive design and engineering. Known for creating iconic models for brands like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Volkswagen, the company continues to shape the future of mobility through collaborative projects and cutting-edge concepts like Rapida.
The Faces Behind the Dream
The diverse team behind Rapida includes Megh Bhatt, Marina Cerfeda, Tanmay Virendra Chillal, Santiago Espindola, Marica Flagiello, Jorge García del Río, Sheil Himanshu Joshi, Sarthak Kanojia, Sara Krsmanovic, Siu Fung George Lau, Chang-Chun Ma, Gautham Moolakkaparambil Madhu, Pavan Narayana Swamy, Varun Narendra, Matteo Pagano, Oleksandr Polatai, Alexander Hansen Purnama, Francesco Raffaele, Alessandro Ravedati, Felipe Jose Rey Barberi, Yi Shao, and Manik Sharma.
Under the guidance of Michele Albera and Masato Inoue, the students have not only created a car but a vision of what sporty, youthful mobility could look like in the future. Rapida stands as a bold statement in automotive design, celebrating both tradition and modernity.
