This concept from RINSPEED in 2006 is actually quite magnificent.

A clear polycarbonate hardtop and a variety of innovative supplier solutions round out what is a very intriguing concept car from RINSPEED.

The rear fenders and nose treatment with Ferrari 612 lighting elements is interestings, but the RINSPEED ZaZen is absolutely hideous from the pure nose and tail angles. An unusual and sloppy mess of amateurish block shapes.

 

2006 RINSPEED ZaZen

 

 

Rinspeed “zaZen”

Rinspeed and Bayer MaterialScience jointly develop new concept car

“zaZen” – Automotive enlightenment on four wheels – Revolutionary lighting technique and
transparent hardtop at the Geneva Motor Show

February 28, 2006, will mark the world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show of the
Rinspeed concept car, “zaZen”, created by the famous Swiss designer, Frank M.
Rinderknecht. It represents his vision of the car of the future and will be showcased as a
kind of “automotive enlightenment” on four wheels. The vehicle was produced in
cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world’s largest plastics producers. It
also embraces a technical revolution in car manufacture, with the transparent backlite
being turned into a luminous holographic area. As if from nowhere, the third brake light
shines out of what looks like a floating transparent hardtop.
The world premiere of the “zaZen”, with its holographic brake lamp and smoothly
contoured, transparent, one-piece roof dome made of high-tech Makrolon, marks the
beginning of a new era in lighting technology in vehicle design. For Ian Paterson, who is
responsible for innovation on the Board of Bayer MaterialScience, this novel lighting
system represents a small step on the way to building the car of tomorrow: “Together with
Rinspeed, our goal is to get people thinking about the car of the future. 

‘

We contribute our
high-quality materials and the combined creative know-how of our engineers.”
The name of the new concept car – “zaZen” – has been carefully chosen by Rinderknecht:
“After all, Zen – borrowed from Buddhist teaching – is a special form of perception: You
only get there if you are prepared to give up preconceived ideas.”

Both partners went out
of their way to emphasize that a concept car presented at a motor show can only be a
snapshot taken from an unceasing development process. For example, the work on the
switch-on/off transparency for three-dimensional forms is always ongoing.
The breathtakingly designed vehicle concept was born at the Swiss engineering
specialists, Esoro, from one single vision and many imaginative ideas.

The entire roof dome down to the belt line is made of Bayer’s transparent Makrolon polycarbonate. A
glass-clear elastic sealant from Revoflex AG has been used to achieve an optimum joint
with the body. The striking hardtop is light in both senses of the word. Not only does it
appear to float airily above the rather chunky body, it is also weighs many kilograms less
than glass – not that it would be possible to make it from glass in the first place.
The lightness of the roof construction ties in with the surface coating of the “zaZen” – a
white mineral shade based on the Bayer raw materials, Desmodur and Desmophen.

It is certainly not gaudy, but unassumingly beautiful through the millions of tiny precious
Swarovski crystals protected by a self-healing polyurethane clear coat. This so-called
“crystal skin” finish was developed and applied by the Austrian surface coating specialists,
Karl Seelos. The Lesonal company was responsible for producing a perfect substrate.

In a nutshell, the future driver can expect to find a muscular body in a sophisticated, tailored
suit – a suit that has been given an exclusive touch though Swarovski trimmings on the
front, side and rear lamps and the wheel rims.

But the crystal manufacturer came up with
a real masterpiece in the design of the seemingly never-ending 3D rear decorative panel.
The interior fittings of the “zaZen” are also dominated by this ethos of transparency and
reduction to essentials, cleverly combined with strategically placed highlights. The
transparent plastic seat shells of Makrolon® fitted with Technogel ®
upholstery were produced in cooperation with Recaro.

A bright, friendly mango-orange color has been chosen for the rest of the leather/fabric interior trim. It was made by hand by Strähle &
Hess, SC Schäfer, OesterleSLR and Sellner. Together with the Luoro Faia plantation
wood – also in the dashboard area – it creates an interior that radiates warmth and
relaxation.

The “zaZen”, which weighs 1,495 kg, is powered by a 355 bhp 6-cylinder boxer engine
from the Porsche 997 Carrera S. It has a top speed of 293 kph and accelerates from 0 to
100 kph in exactly 4.8 sec. Should the “zaZen” be built in a small series at some time in
the future, Rinspeed will consider – in line with its tradition – offering it with an
environmentally friendly natural gas propulsion system.

At 6,600 rpm, the engine has a maximum torque of 400 Nm, which is transmitted to the
rear axle via a manual six-speed transmission. The necessary traction is provided by
Dunlop tires with Touch Technology (245/30-20 at the front and 305/25-20 at the rear),
mounted on lightweight Rinspeed five-spoke rims (8.5 x 20” at the front and 11 x 20” at
the rear) made by CW Fahrzeugtechnik (Borbet Group).

The body – for which the molds were produced using Obomodulan ® modeling foam – sits
on a 4x adjustable chassis specially designed by KW automotive. Here, the designers
have managed to perform the rare feat of creating an outstanding synthesis of drive
comfort and sporty handling.

Another small work of art connected with the “zaZen” is currently taking shape in Berlin at
the eyewear designers, “ic! berlin”. The company’s owner, Ralph Anderl, who also acted
as the model during the photo shoot, was so taken by the new Rinspeed concept car that
he designed an eyewear collection specifically to go with the car. Now you can not only
drive the “zaZen”, you can also wear it.

Swiss made
Esoro
Frank M. Rinderknecht used highly advanced technology and a Swiss-based network of
top automotive specialists for his project. Although there is no automobile production in
Switzerland, there is a very active automotive supply industry there. Many highly innovative prototypes
have been developed and manufactured in Switzerland.

engineered by Esoro – What you dream is what you get

For the seventh time the Swiss engineering company Esoro was hired to serve as general
contractor for the entire vehicle project. Esoro was responsible for project management,
implementation of new technologies, engineering, design and manufacturing of the
Rinspeed “zaZen”.

Esoro realized the concept with the help of its highly competent suppliers Schwaller AG
(metal works) and Protoscar (styling). Starting with initial concepts, it took the highly
skilled development team just six months to realize the entire project.

Esoro has been a contract developer in the areas of automotive production, lightweight
design and plastics technology for 15 years. During this time it has gained a well-deserved
reputation for excellent efficiency and innovative solutions not just in these but also in
other fields, including fuel-cell vehicles and prototype design. Esoro has impressively
demonstrated its expertise with numerous extraordinary prototypes.

Another recent development from Esoro is the new E-LFT production technology
developed for Weber Fibertech. E-LFT makes large scale production of high-strength and
lightweight composite parts affordable. E-LFT composite parts weigh 30-50 percent less
than comparable steel parts. The first industrial part produced with E-LFT will be
introduced with the new Smart for two in 2007.

Furthermore another production process for niche markets, like high performance cars,
trucks and caravans is now introduced by Esoro to several OEM’s. The new and patented
process called Melt Embossing does offer the possibility to produce high end
thermoplastic composite parts with low initial invest for structural and semi-structural
applications. Esoro is able to offer the entire service starting from topological optimization
and explicit FE calculations trough to the delivery of the serial parts.

Strong partners for the future

Gasverbund Mittelland AG, Swiss Energy, Rinspeed and Volkswagen – four strong
partners – have the goal to develop vehicles that can be used on an everyday basis but
that also depict automotive visions for the future. The exhibited vehicles are operated
ecologically with natural gas or biogas as the fuel of choice. With the exception of the
zaZen which can also be converted to natural gas operation.

The power supply company Gasverbund Mittelland AG has promoted the marketing of
natural gas as a fuel in Switzerland for many years first-hand and also as gasmobil ag’s
partner. Natural gas is currently the only available, sensible and environmentallycompatible fuel alternative that contributes significantly to a decrease of noxious
emissions in particular in heavily populated regions. Furthermore, noxious particles can be
further reduced in combination with the CO2-neutral biogas.

Speed limits as result of critical particle emission values would be less of an issue. The most important arguments
for natural gas and biogas as fuels are: more than 60 percent reduction of noxious
emissions compared to petrol or diesel; even less fuel consumption for mixed operation.
This results in savings of 30 to 40 percent of fuel costs. Tests have shown that natural gas
vehicles are just as safe as the same models with a petrol or diesel motor.

Dunlop

Dunlop, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high performance tyres, is tyre
partner of the exciting “zaZen”. The new Rinspeed “zaZen” is equipped with Dunlop’s top
of the range ultra-high performance summer tyre SP Sport Maxx, a tire with excellent
performance especially in dry handling, SP Sport Maxx is designed to guarantee all
drivers outstanding road feedback. At its stand 1011 in hall 1 Dunlop is launching Touch
Technology. Touch Technology reflects Dunlop’s product development approach: Dunlop
tyres enable drivers to have an enhanced feel of the road, to be more in control of the
drive and to have more fun on the roads. The “zaZen” is fitted with SP Sport Maxx in the
sizes 245/30-20 (front) and 305/25-20 (rear).

KW automotive GmbH

Visionary thought and action is what links company founders Frank M. Rinderknecht of
Rinspeed and Klaus Wohlfarth of KW automotive GmbH in Fichtenberg (Baden
Württemberg). The result for their customers is innovative designs and engineering
innovation at the highest level.

For that reason it was a matter of course for KW automotive GmbH once again to equip
the latest Rinspeed concept car, the “zaZen”, with KW adjustable coil over suspension in
“inox line” stainless steel technology, damping variant 3. In this case innovation also
extends to the materials used – KW now produces all its adjustable suspension systems
only in stainless steel, as this offers significantly higher corrosion resistance compared
with galvanised designs. That is certainly in the customer’s interest.

As to the suspension itself, it is a high-tech product developed by the KW engineers, which can be completely adjusted to suit the individual driver’s requirements. Everything is possible, from extremely luxurious to extremely sporty. Version 3 is infinitely heightadjustable on the front and rear axles, and has separately adjustable compression and rebound mode damping. The adjustment in compression mode is carried out at the bottom
end of the shock absorber by means of the patented multiple valve. This suspension
system provides the technically demanding driver with “high tech” from the world of motor
sport, enabling the driver to customise the vehicle’s handling characteristics to suit
him/herself.

KW automotive GmbH has for many years been a byword in the industry for premium
products in the field of car tuning. The company offers its customers the largest range of
adjustable suspension systems. The whole range – from springs and sports suspension
systems to adjustable suspension systems in three damping variants – is unequalled on
the market in its scope and variety. With its engineering competence and its range of
available products, KW covers the requirements of both popular and top-level sport in
terms of motor racing technology.

There are now over 100 employees at the company’s
headquarters in Fichtenberg, ensuring that top-quality products continue to leave the
plant. KW automotive GmbH has established plants at five different locations worldwide,
and now employs a total workforce of 180 – and that is a rising trend.

Color design inspired by Far-Eastern philosophy – Lesonal develops colors for
Rinspeed

Working in close cooperation with the renowned Swiss car tuner Rinspeed, paint
manufacturer Lesonal created the color design for the Rinspeed concept cars. Lesonal
exclusively supports Rinspeed with a custom color design for eco-friendly VW project
vehicles finished with the Lesonal paint system.

The Buddhist Zen philosophy focuses on the essentials. This theme served as the
concept for developing the Rinspeed K2 special effect color. The Lesonal color design
was inspired by the teachings and nature of the Far East. Lesonal product manager
Thomas Kalan describes the unique finish: “The fine rainbow shimmer of what initially
appears to be white is derived from Himalayan glaciers.

This special effect paint was
inspired by the color spectrum of the snow-covered K2. Similar to the iridescence of
glacial colors, the effect really comes to life when one takes a second, deeper look.”

The “zaZen” project represented a major challenge. This futuristic “zaZen” concept car will
be presented to the public for the first time at the 76th Geneva International Motor Show.
Using precious Swarovski crystals, the “Crystal Skin” effect was developed and
implemented by color and paint specialist Karl Seelos from Fritzens, Austria. This
exclusive color shade requires a perfectly smooth surface. Lesonal responded to this
need by supplying the best possible surface.

“zaZen” – Seat-Zen
With the concept car “zaZen”, Rinspeed is now exploring a new route in automobile
development. In the face of information overflows, time pressure and ever more buttons
and displays in the vehicle, the Swiss vehicle refiner is concentrating on the essential with
the use of innovative technologies. The aim: to allow the driver to concentrate on the
essential – the Zen.

The seat is the largest area of contact between the occupant and the vehicle and, as
such, plays a particularly important role in this concept. Recaro, leading innovator in
automobile seat construction, uses “glass” seat shells made from Makrolon® and bright,
cheerful upholstery made from transparent Techno-Gel, allowing the seat to adapt
automatically to the occupant. In this way, the interior establishes a meditative link
between man and machine. Normal seats are transformed into relaxed seating based on
“zaZen” – the Japanese word for seated meditation.

With this project, Recaro is implementing a new form of innovative technology and taking
a major step closer towards to the ultimate goal of “Made-to-Measure seating”.

Today as in the past both automobile manufacturers and end-consumers regard Recaro
as a pioneer among seat manufacturers with regard to quality, safety and innovation.
About the company: Recaro is an independent company within the internationally-active
Keiper Recaro Group. Just under 8.000 employees work in the three divisions Keiper,
Recaro and Recaro Aircraft Seating to ensure high-quality products in the field of mobile
seating for aircraft and vehicles. In 2004, the group made a turnover of one billion Euro.
Recaro has a long tradition: The firm was founded in 1906 by saddler Wilhelm Reutter as
a car-body production plant and can look back on 100 years of company history. Reuter
produced car bodies for vehicles such as the Porsche 356, VW Beetle, BMW 328, Horch
and many other well-known brands.

The Recaro brand name was created by combining
the first two letters of the founder’s name with the first four letters of CAROsserien, the
German word for car body. The first Recaro sports seat was presented in 1965. Following
the merger with Keiper in 1969, Recaro has been active as an independent member of the
Keiper Recaro family, defining automobile seating with many revolutionary innovations.

Revoflex AG
Visionary and innovative projects call for visionary and innovative solutions.
A world novelty: holographic brake lights for cars, combined with a very flowingly
designed, one-piece roof structure made from the hi-tech substance Makrolon.
This calls for crystal-clear and extensible sealing and adhesive materials for the transition
from the roof to the car body, which is painted with millions of minute high-quality
Swarovski crystals.

As Swiss specialists for out-of-the-ordinary technology, the engineering Group Revoflex
AG has developed a completely new and crystal-clear solution to cover the sealing and
adhesion requirements, with a view to facilitating our vision – a completely transparent
“body of light” on four wheels -down to the last detail. This involved the customized
development of a special, crystal-clear and elastically extensible adhesive for the
Makrolon substance produced by Bayer Material Science, one of the major plastics
manufacturers of the world.

The result was a highly innovative product, in which nanocomposites were united in combinations of substances never seen before.
In the interests of a successful two-way partnership, in which the central focus is on the
customer and his project, Revoflex has organised support and service on a holistic basis,
from development to prototype manufacture and right through to the end product.

Our vision: Revoflex realises innovative solutions in plastic materials in order to fulfil the
customer’s requirements in the best possible way.

Our strategy: We create added value for our customers on the basis of long-term
partnerships.
We achieve this with the help of
innovative competitive solutions
rapid and flexible realisation, up to and including market publicity
use of ideal technology
our own standardised techniques
Structure: Revoflex is an innovative company which works as a network to meet the
requirements of our customers – rapidly, efficiently and sensitively. Our head office is
responsible for the coordination of all production projects, and for the realisation of our
innovative technological solutions.

The Ultimate Auto Finish
Tyrolean company perfects crystal coating for cars

When the zaZen auto by Rinspeed is unveiled at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show, it
will reveal an unmistakable crystalline luster that speaks of pure auto glamour. The
surface of this car is coated with thousands of Swarovski crystals and is the brainchild of a
Tyrolean company run by Karl Seelos and his team.

Seelos, a specialist in auto modification, decoration and embellishment who names
members of the British, Brunei and Saudi royalty among his clients, has created the
special “Crystal Skin” used on the Rinspeed car. The process involves integr ating
thousands of tiny crystals used on Swarovski’s “Crystal Fabric” into the surface of the
paint. The base color, while being embellished with the crystal effect, remains intact and
an additional transparent sealer covers the crystalline surface to result in a mirror smooth
surface. The result is a glittering surface that still allows the beauty of the originally chosen
color to shine through.

Technical innovation, feeding the senses and the environmentally friendly concept
correspond to the values of Sharp in a high degree. The multimedia-partnership Sharp
and Rinspeed shows this to the public.
At events and exhibition Sharp Aquos LCD-TV will help the audience to understand and
experience the zaZen.

Swarovski

Futuristic auto with crystal features for Geneva Motor show – Swarovski cooperates on
zaZen project

When one of the world’s most futuristic autos is unveiled at the renowned Geneva Motor
Show on February 28, 2006, lovers of superb machinery will be introduced to a car that
deploys innovative use of Swarovski crystal. The car, the zaZen, produced by the Swiss
company Rinspeed not only uses innovative crystal paint and attractive crystalline
decorative features, but also advanced crystal and LED technology for it’s lighting system.

Revolutionary new design

The zaZen, a reference to the Buddhist teachings, is a revolutionary new design concept
for the automotive industry. This sleek machine features a roof dome down to the belt line
that is made from a single sheet of transparent Bayer polycarbonate. Occupants sit on
glass-like plastic seat shells in cheerful, friendly orange, with crystal applications on the
backside.

Crystal brilliance for technological advancement

An essential part of the zaZen’s organic design is its fascinating mineral white color which
is both understated and beautiful. The effect is created using millions of tiny Swarovski
crystals protected by a self-healing polyurethane clear coating.
Other crystalline features on the car includes wheel rims using the company’s Crystal
Fabric in orange, the theme color for indoor features, and a continuation of the clear
crystal body work. The car’s hubcaps are also crystal embellished in the center and the
latest crystal and LED lighting techniques have been deployed for the headlights, rear
lights and the side indicators. In addition, the “zaZen” name plate on the rear of the
vehicle is made up of a crystal panel with endless effect.

Swarovski as innovator

Swarovski, the world leader in crystal manufacture has made it a cornerstone policy to
constantly seek out new ways of using crystal for decorative, design and practical
purposes. This can only be achieved through a dedicated commitment to innovation and
trend research. The zaZen project is the fifth such activity undertaken by Swarovski,
together with Rinspeed, in the exciting field of futuristic autos.

For more than a hundred years Swarovski, the Austrian family company based in  Wattens
in the Tyrol, has been the world’s leading brand for cut crystal. Crystal jewellery stones
and crystalline semi-finished goods for the fashion, jewellery and lighting industries are as
much a part of the company’s product range as gift articles, home accessories, and
collectibles fashioned from faceted crystal. Swarovski’s artistic and design abilities are
evident in Daniel Swarovski Paris and Swarovski Jewellery, the company’s accessory and
jewellery ranges. Since 1995 visitors have been able to enjoy the ultimate crystal
experience at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

The Swarovski group also includes Tyrolitâ,
which produces grinding tools and abrasives, and Swarovski Optik, the company’s optics
division, with its precision optics for hunting and nature observation. In 2004 Swarovski
achieved group sales of Euro 1,83 billion with a total of approximately 16,000 employees.
Refined crystal mobile phone – Motorola presents its cult RAZR V3i mobile phone in
refined Swarovski look

Thousands of tiny Swarovski crystals adorn the new limited edition of Motorola’s RAZR
V3i multimedia cell phone. In collaboration with Rinspeed, Switzerland’s top creative
design factory for cars and automotive accessories, the RAZR V3i is to be given a unique
superior finish.

Two versions of the cult phone – sparkling white and mango/orange – will
go on show at the Rinspeed stand at this year’s Geneva Motor Show from 2 to 12 March
2006. Rinspeed will be presenting the designer car to match the phone – the “zaZen”, a
design prototype, which features the same high tech finish and whose revolutionary
lighting technology is a real eye-catcher.

The refined Swarovski look perfectly complements the design of the Motorola RAZR V3i.
In addition to the glittering crystals, the phone’s keypad reflects the incoming light, while
the blue backlighting defines each character and key. In a groundbreaking use of material,
a revolutionary etched keypad has been created – fashioned from a single sheet of metal -giving the Motorola RAZR V3 family an unmistakable design presence.

Connected in style – all around the world

The Motorola RAZR V3i has plenty to offer technology-wise, too. The RAZR V3i
combines exceptional form with high-performance Bluetooth technology, allowing users to
enter a world where voice, image and video are easily transmitted without wires – smart
and ever-so stylish. Photographers are particularly well-served: A 1.3 megapixel camera
lets you take brilliant photos, which can be stored on the TransFlash memory card that
comes as part of the package. The quad-band technology keeps you connected in more
than 100 countries worldwide and means you can travel around without ever missing a
call. The improved battery life with 310 hours of standby time makes sure of that.

Websites:
Obo Werke GmbH & Co.KG – www.obo-werke.de
CW Fahrzeugtechnik – www.borbet.de
Dausmann Holographics GmbH – www.dausmann-holographics.de
D. Swarovski & Co. – www.swarovski.com
Dunlop – www.dunlop.de
Erdgas – www.gvm-ag.ch
Esoro AG – www.esoro.ch
ic! Berlin – www.ic-berlin.de
KW automotive GmbH – www.kw-gmbh.de
Lesonal Gmbh – www.lesonal.de
Motorola – www.motorola.ch
Protoscar SA – www.protoscar.com
Recaro GmbH – www.recaro.com
Revoflex AG – www.revoflex.ch
Seelos : www.seelos.net
Sharp Electronics – www.sharp.ch
Strähle + Hess GmbH & Co. KG – www.straehle-hess.de
OesterleSlr – www.oesterleslr.de
Sellner GmbH – www.sellner.de
SC Schäfer – www.sc-schaefer.com
Technogel Germany GmbH – www.technogel.de