Mr. Paul Howse has a master’s degree in automotive design at the Royal Academy in London, after graduating in March 2009 to join McLaren Automotive. McLaren 570S 720S interior and exterior are from his hand, and both models are awarded the Red Dot Award for Design Excellence. Just last month’s Guangzhou Auto Show, Mr. Paul Howse also came to the show site, face to face with me to share a story behind those sports ethereal booth McLaren.
Q: for what you consider to build a new convertible models – McLaren Elva?
A: The idea has been brewing for years, we have been committed to creating a very high-speed sports car, but at the same time into the traditional design concept, that is to expand the horizons of space occupants. Therefore, the new customized mounted McLaren Elva carbon fiber body panels and chassis, and chassis with abnormal tough lightweight design, eliminating the windshield, sunroof and window design, and both lightweight characteristics, also 比迈凯伦塞纳to light. McLaren so far as to create the most lightweight road cars, we are very confident.
Q: McLaren Elva is how to solve aerodynamic problems?
A: In order to achieve McLaren proud of driving experience, Elva successfully created the world’s first active air management system (AAMS). The system may direct air flowing through the front, and ultra-high speed out of the front face of the drainage, and then passes over the cabin, to form a “bubble” isolated region, so that the occupants feel comfortable and cozy. It is second to none in the history of McLaren and the same category.
Thanks to close cooperation with the design team and engineering team, McLaren design concept to achieve a seamless combination of aesthetics and technology will in essence, active air management system is the practice example of this design philosophy of harmony and unity. It clever fusion aerodynamic performance and cooling function of McLaren Elva.
Q: on the use of new materials and new technologies, the creation of space for designers is how each other effects?
A: 720S door carbon fiber, greater than created space 650S, 650S cockpit although larger than 720S, but in fact, the space inside the cockpit 650S 720S than large, which is why the advantage to use carbon fiber material. After years of research, this technology has been leading the global McLaren, achieve greater space through the use of carbon fiber.
In particular the new McLaren Elva, based on close between designers and engineers cooperation, a large area with carbon fiber, as well as the front curve of the shunt, the shape of the guide body and the like and the design air flow, which is the carbon fiber through a special shape of design and implementation.
Q: How do McLaren leading position in the carbon-fiber body structure in this area?
A: competitors may not know how to use carbon fiber, not yet mastered the technology. Carbon fiber is a very good material, can be used as body structure, light weight, but firmness and strength that are not bad, the key question is how these carbon fiber layer by layer superimposed up.
WhenHowever, mass production is more difficult, we have just developed the technology, now in northern England was a special study of carbon fiber material, is stepping up efforts to study new materials, to achieve greater production, on the one hand is suitable for do load-bearing structure, on the other hand it can present a very nice aesthetic effect.
Q: heard that you particularly like antique cars, is not it because you can get inspiration from?
A: First, driving antique car feels very exciting. When driving a car can smell, hear the roar of the engine, expensive or not is not so important, it is important to bring in an antique car driving on the ultimate emotional experience.
Second, in terms of design, antique car design constraints less than it is now, is simply seeking a unique appearance. For example, the column will be designed very carefully, and each section have been very careful consideration, giving a very romantic feeling. Of course, it does help designers draw inspiration, especially in terms of appearance. Now, however, as more restrictions, to design a beautiful car is not so easy.
Q: What kind of follow McLaren’s design philosophy?
A: McLaren design concept dedicated to presenting visual function, of course, is pretty essential. Such as Senna, especially powerful, air under pressure is particularly strong; 720S engraving of both the United States and aerodynamic design. McLaren is designed not only to look good and trendy, aimed at achieving “everything is performance”, “form follows function” design purpose.
Q: In your eyes, McLaren GT What are the characteristics of this new car?
A: The new McLaren GT is a branch of the DNA, which is DNA both McLaren and innovative design, three features are: a first stream isLinear and seamless nature; second driving excellent dynamic performance. The third is the driving experience, a bold, aggressive driving experience.
The new GT combines comfort and dynamic driving performance, its car front face nose cone at particularly high, looks very strong, and midline longer, not only to create more space for the luggage compartment, very elegant body lines.
Q: We often hear “British style” the words, how do you understand the British style?
A: British style is more traditional, classical, such as Bentley. And for McLaren, it is committed in the traditional style, based on the continuous exploration and innovation, breaking the limit, to achieve a better, more creative, more pioneering brand of crazy ideas. On the other hand, as a country of cultural diversity, we have a lot of designers from across the country, such as South Korea, Argentina, the United States and Portugal, they are in a company, a design team to work in, bring different cultural backgrounds, so design is more abundant.
