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REDESIGN OF A VOLKSWAGEN POLO MK5 AND CONVERSION TO A WIDE BODY KITTED VEHICLE.

Inspired by Akira Nakai (Rauh Welt Begriff)

CONCEPT

The challenge: A functional wide body kit for visual upgrades successfully communicating my vision into a prototype, enhanced brake cooling and suspension, tyre upgrades at a minimum cost.

why is a widebody kit done?

To customize and personalize a vehicle to suit individual tastes and preferences.
To to improve airflow around the car, reduce drag and increase downforce.
To install wider wheels and tires, which can improve traction and cornering grip by providing a larger contact patch with the road.
To to participate in activities like high-performance driving, drifting, or racing.

why is a widebody kit done?

To customize and personalize a vehicle to suit individual tastes and preferences.
To to improve airflow around the car, reduce drag and increase downforce.
To install wider wheels and tires, which can improve traction and cornering grip by providing a larger contact patch with the road.
To to participate in activities like high-performance driving, drifting, or racing.

USER PROFILE

ROHAN GUPTA

interests

Racing, Mechanical exploration, Travel, Hiking, Photography, Design trends, Movies

DEMOGRAPHICS

Age: 25

Occupation: Product Designer

Location: Noida, India

Experience: 8 years in Product Design and Research

Age: 25

Occupation: Product Designer

Location: Noida, India

Experience: 8 years in Product Design and Research

challenges

Regulatory requirements and safety standards.

Budgetary constraints when investing in aftermarket upgrades.

Unable to maintain and afford two cars according to needs. The daily car goes on the track too.

GOALS

Aftermarket performance parts, tuning software.

Building his daily driver with innovative solutions to enhance his driving experience and gain a competitive edge on the track.

Talking, discussing and collaborating with people sharing similar interests.

Aftermarket performance parts, tuning software.

Building his daily driver with innovative solutions to enhance his driving experience and gain a competitive edge on the track.

Talking, discussing and collaborating with people sharing similar interests.

needs

Reliability and above average performance while travelling.

High-quality components and aftermarket upgrades that are engineered to the highest standards of performance, aesthetics and durability.

Expert advice and recommendations to achieve specific goals and requirements.

WHY DO PEOPLE MODIFY THEIR CARS?

To improve a car's performance and driving dynamics.

To reflect their personal preferences and tastes.

To improve the car's fuel efficiency and power output.

To participate in activities like high-performance driving, drifting, or racing.

To improve a car's performance and driving dynamics.

To reflect their personal preferences and tastes.

To improve the car's fuel efficiency and power output.

To participate in activities like high-performance driving, drifting, or racing.

HISTORY OF WIDE BODY KITS

Origins in Racing
The idea behind widebody kits arose out of necessity, first being used on racing cars whose factory track width didn't provide enough stability and grip for high-performance driving. The widened stance and larger wheels/tires allowed for improved handling and cornering at high speeds.

One of the earliest widebody road cars was the Shelby Cobra, which achieved the widebody look by cutting around the wheel wells and adding custom fender flares.

Widebody Becomes a Styling Trend
In the 1970s and 1980s, widebody kits started appearing on modified street cars, not just race cars. More effort was put into making the widebody look appear intentional and integrated, rather than just functional.

Widebody kits became a popular styling choice among car enthusiasts and tuners.

POPULAR CARS THAT got WIDE BODY KITS

Mini Cooper - especially the high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) model
Porsche 911 - Porsche has offered both narrow and wide body versions of the 911 sports car
Dodge Charger and Challenger - Dodge Charger and Challenger muscle cars can be equipped with optional wide body kits from the factory.
Toyota Supra - Supra A90 model has become a popular platform for aftermarket wide body kits.
Nissan GT-R - like the "GOJIRA" kit from SCL.
BMW M2 - from manufacturers like Maxton Design and PSM Dynamic.

WHAT ARE legal MODIFICATIONS TO CARS IN INDIA?

Upgrading tires.
Changing the car's color.
Installing custom body kits, such as front/rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers, etc. to alter the vehicle's appearance.
Upgrading the car's lights, such as installing LED headlights or taillights.
Adding custom decals, graphics, or vinyl wraps to the exterior.
Installing a cold air intake to increase horsepower and fuel efficiency.
Replacing the exhaust system with higher-flowing parts to maximize engine performance.
Tuning a cars ECU to extract higher performance, efficiency or specific driving styles.
Installing higher-performance suspension and brakes to improve handling.

WHAT ARE BRAKE COOLING DUCTS?

Brake cooling ducts are essential components in a car's braking system, especially for track cars. They function by channeling air from a high-pressure source, typically the front of the car, to the brake rotor. This airflow helps decrease the operating temperature of the braking system, which is crucial for optimal performance and longevity of brake components.

HOW DO THEY HELP?

Lowering the average operating temperature of the brakes, which helps prevent issues like brake fade, glazed pads, boiling brake fluid, and cracked rotors.

Keeping the brakes cooler allows the brake pads to operate within their optimal temperature range, where they provide maximum friction and stopping power.

Higher average brake temperatures cause accelerated wear on pads, rotors, and brake fluid. Cooling the brakes can significantly extend the life of these parts.
This is especially important for track driving, where brakes are subjected to much higher temperatures and wear2.

The increased consistency and reliability of a well-cooled brake system gives the driver more confidence and control of the vehicle, especially in high-performance or racing situations

EXISTING WIDE BODY KITS

bartending technology available in the market

1016 INDUSTRIES

Constructed entirely out of high-quality, lightweight carbon fiber to reduce weight.

Provides extensive aerodynamic improvements through CFD-optimized body panels.

Exclusivity - the McLaren 720S kit is limited to only 30 units worldwide.

Extremely expensive, with the McLaren 720S kit costing more than a typical person's 401k, house, and other assets combined.

Installation and fitment can be complex and challenging, requiring skilled technicians.

wide body kits (custom or pre fabricated) available in the market

LIBERTY WALK

Core Japanese culture design.

known for creating bold, aggressive widebody kits for iconic supercars.

kits are available in both fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) options.

extreme, tuned appearance compared to stock cars.

kits being polarizing in terms of styling.

Risk of poor fitment if not installed properly.

EPSILON AERO

cost-effective aerodynamic solutions such as splitters, wings, and downforce solutions.

Epsilon GT Wing, a specific product within the Epsilon Aero range, boasts a 2D/3D hybrid profile developed in CAD and optimized in CFD, capable of producing over 500 lbs of downforce at 160mph with minimal drag.

front splitters, side skirts, rear diffusers, and spoilers.

Limited number of cars the kits can be applied to.

Focused entirely on functional aerodynamic enhancement.

RAUH WELT BEGRIFF, BY AKIRA NAKAI

Each RWB build is tailored to the customer's preferences, ensuring a personalized touch to the design.

turning Porsches into drivable works of art.

Idlers 12 Hours Race: Community building with track days organized for the RWB porches.

prices starting at $24,000 and potentially higher depending on customization options.

The extreme offset wheels and wider tires may pose challenges in terms of maintenance.

form over function.

PROCESS

Manufacturing a widebody kit

MOODBOARD

polar winds

sharp

poised

futuristic

eccentric

clean

professional

downforce

quick

flow

sleek

aerodynamic

confident

performance

dynamic

mid engined

customization

SKETCHES

after defining keywords, sketching began with exploration of forms, airflow patterns in order to evolve the portrayal of "Polar winds" done by Volkswagen.