Does the very idea of sitting behind the wheels of a super car, or better yet owing one, seem like a distant reality? Well, Shahid Haq, a Bengaluru-based car designer’s recent prototype is here to prove you otherwise – after proving his design prowess with Hyperion 1, his standout roadster at the Delhi Auto Expo’16, the automobile enthusiast’s maiden venture is all set to come up with innovatively printed vinyl wraps to give out that swanky facelift to your vrooms!
Born to a family associated with running restaurant chains, the young car designer throws light on how it was his innate love for automobiles that egged him to pursue this line. “My stint with crafting, modeling and designing things date back to the age of eight, when I began to model cranes at the science exhibitions held in school. I used to borrow tools and do carpentry if there was any work happening at home.”
His recent design, which is a two-seater open wheel roadster with a 3D printed steering wheel and electronically activated scissor doors, is inspired by f1 cars. Elucidating more, the car designer adds, “The reason I developed such a car is because I really wanted regular people to get a taste of being in a racing car, teamed with functionality.
The entire project was done with limited, home-grown resources. And post this, I’ve learnt that it’s possible for the country to place and compete itself with the other front runners in the automobile scene on the global map.”
With an intend to price it at Rs 40 lakh, Shahid tells us how the design has caught the eye of enthusiasts across the country, “It was a truly insightful experience at the expo. Some of the biggest names from the automobile industry were in awe of the design. I must say the biggest takeaway was the fact that the model and its features were compared to some of the finest models from Germany. That I think was a first, and a response I truly cherish.”
Subtly hinting at how the snazzy four wheeler will hit the roads if all goes well, he implies, “ While there are a lot of things to be taken care of, rest assured, the in-built features of the car have been tailor-made to maneuver through city traffic, despite its posh larger than life exteriors!”
Quiz him about the other interests that take much of his time, and the 33-year old says, “While most people know me as a car designer and an automobile freak, I love cooking and traveling. I also regularly host meet-ups for like-minded super bikers and drivers in the city!”
With his fingers crossed about his upcoming plans, Shahid pipes, “ While there are a couple of expos that I’d be presenting my works at, I also plan on developing innovative styling (body)kits and vinyl wraps for cars at affordable rates.”
