Jaguar Blue Concept

New Designers 6 May 2013

The Jaguar Blue Concept is a study of a futuristic off-road sportscar made using unconventional processes and materials such as concrete cloth. The author is designer Tianmou Xu.

Created by Tianmou Xu as his final project for the Automotive Design MA 2012 at Coventry University, the Jaguar Blue is concept vehicle for the year 2030 that explores the use of an alternative construction material as well as a new, sustainable manufacturing method.

More specifically, the Jaguar Blue Concept features a body shell made of 100% recycled concrete. The main inspiration came from the innovative concrete cloth material, recently introduced by British Concrete Canvas.

This material is a mix of concrete and fiber matrix mesh. A layer of fiber is covered on top to prevent cracking and decaying, and a PVC backing membrane prevents water leaking.

The fabric is flexible and will bend and curve; it can be used with no conventional molds, no mixing, and minimal equipment.

The cement is activated by hydrating the fabric to activate the cement, and within 24 hours, the product has cured to 80% strength.

As the designer explains “Exposing both the natural appearance and property of material was a key factor during the designing process: attempting to substitute traditional material with new kinds to stimulate design inspirations.”

The concrete body is partly coated in copper metal to expose the original texture of the material and transform of the coating look through time – an original attempt “to challenge the existing aesthetics and automotive design trend with imperfect surfacing and uneven paint coating.”

The copper coating will be oxidized differently depending on the specific environment and climate, and the usage of each vehicle over time will directly reflect into its look, contributing to create a distinctive and unique “self-identity”.

The Jaguar Blue Concept also features four resizable omni-directional wheels with nine individual spokes and pneumatic tires, which allow the car to travel on both normal driveway and extreme terrains.

The innovative concrete material also provides an opportunity to rethink the overall manufacturing method.

” […] the manufacturing concept is to relocate all the car factories to the sea-side; the exterior shell will be formed under the sea and using tidal power for running the rest of the factory station.”