An unconventional car with a daring design that not only embodies thrill and pure driving pleasure, but wants to make them accessible to a new generation that loves speed, aesthetics and freedom. A manifesto of style and innovation that aims to dare and provoke, drawing inspiration from the icons of the past to redefine the concept of sportiness. This is the new Vision Rapida, conceived and realised by the students of the Master’s Degree in Transportation Design IED Turin in collaboration with Italdesign to propose a new model that reflects the desires and needs of younger drivers and connects them with the emotions and adrenalin of legendary sportscars.
Rapida (Length: 4510mm, Width: 1860mm, Height: 1280mm, Wheelbase: 2800mm) immediately catches the eye with its taut lines, low stance and racer stance that tell of movement, energy and evolution. The absence of stylistic excesses leaves room for an aesthetic dictated by aerodynamics, where every detail is designed to combine dynamism and functionality. The sculpted rear enhances the strength of the fastback’s silhouette and expands the load space, making it perfect for those who move between city and adventure. The interior also reflects this philosophy: the 2+2 cabin combines sportiness and essentiality, with wraparound seating and technical materials designed for an immersive driving experience. The work on colours and materials responds to the needs of a dynamic generation, with finishes that balance high-tech and sustainability, tactile surfaces and details inspired by the world of streetwear and active lifestyle.
Designed to meet the challenges of an evolving market, Rapida is an eclectic car, capable of adapting to different powertrains – endothermic, hybrid or fully electric – thanks to balanced proportions and optimised dimensions. Its strength lies precisely in its design versatility: not tied to a specific brand, Rapida is an open concept, with a clear identity but no constraints, ready to be adopted and shaped by any automotive brand. An approach that fits perfectly into the Turin tradition of independent coachbuilders and style centres such as Italdesign, which have always been pioneers in innovation for the automotive industry. With the idea that the thrill of driving a sports car should not be an unattainable privilege for the younger public, this project also places great emphasis on affordability, making high performance and design affordable for a new generation of enthusiasts in a context where the driving experience is taking on new forms. The Rapida’s full design story will be in the next issue of Auto&Design.
