FBS Census

[Sauc3]

FBS Census

Coventry University MA Automotive Design student Giovanni Doglioli has won a competition to design a new sports car for FBS Engineering Ltd. The company approached the School of Industrial Design for advice on vehicle styling. The school did much more than that, quickly adopting the project for the first term module "3D Communication". Three months later, the client is most impressed "The project has been very productive for us, resulting in an innovative and practical design which we intend to put into production. Staff and students have been very positive towards us and enthusiastic about the project. Their informality was a bit disconcerting at first but never a problem."

The car’s mechanical underpinnings already exist, having been designed, built and track tested as a spare time project by company founders Andrew Barber and Robin Hall. Their aim was to produce a vehicle with outstanding driving dynamics. They also decided to ensure that the vehicle would be suitable for sale. "Sports cars are bought for their looks and for driving pleasure. It is essential for an unknown manufacturer to be class leading in both. Careful application of sound engineering principles has produced a chassis with a driving experience comparable with the best. Now, the creativity and enthusiasm of the staff and students has produced a unique and exciting design to clothe the chassis."

FBS Engineering will continue to work with Giovanni and his tutors to translate the concept to full size. The company must also raise finance to put the car into production.

Robin Hall (32) was born and raised in Hampshire. He worked in the motor and property trades before gaining a BEng in Mechanical Engineering at Southampton Institute. He now works as a suspension system concept engineer at Rover. Married, he lives in Leamington Spa. Chartered Engineer Andrew Barber (33) was born and raised in Yorkshire. Since gaining an Aeronautical Engineering degree at Southampton University, he has worked for several top engineering companies including Rolls-Royce, Lotus, Ricardo, Prodrive and Rover. He lives in Buckinghamshire with his partner and baby son, also called Robin.

Performance

0 - 60 mph 5.8 seconds

0-100 mph 15.2 seconds (where legal)

Maximum speed 139 mph (where legal)

Engine

168 hp 2.5 litre V6, front mounted, rear wheel drive



Price

from £25,975 (Finance and trade-in services available)

Warranties

One year against mechanical and electrical breakdowns, extendable to three years

Six year anti-perforation

Customisation
All customers are invited to visit the factory to tune the pedal spacing and gear lever position to their own requirements (2 way adjustable steering column and 5 way adjustable seat already standard).

Flexible specification, unlisted options can be considered at customer request.

Features
· Remote central locking

· Heated door mirrors

· Engine immobiliser controlled by coded ignition keys

· 5 way adjustable driver's seat

· 2 way adjustable steering column

· Simple soft top which folds away out of sight under the rear deck.

· Useful luggage spaces (can accommodate golf clubs)

· Full emissions control systems



The Census exterior styling concept was by Coventry University’s School of Industrial Design.

[Coventrysucks]

Everyone (i.e. potential customers) told them it was ugly, and no one would buy it.

The company refused to listen, insisting that their "focus groups" or whatever liked it, and pointed out that as it had been designed by a student from Coventry (the name probably carried a bit more weight than it currently does, when graduates were going into good jobs in the industry, instead of working in banks), therefore it must be good.

They were mightily dissapointed when no one bought one because it was so ugly.

A blindingly good chassis apparently though, which makes the failure even more cruel.

[Sauc3]

Well they made 8, and sold all of them. Not sure if that's something to be proud of, but it just goes to show there's people out there with very bad taste.

3 were prototypes, the third of which has been resprayed 4 times, and 5 customer cars.

I'm surprised they allowed these pictures on their website to advertise their car, I find them to be of appaling quality, especially as they came from around 2002...

The interior looks like a nice enough place to be though.

[IWantAnAudiRS6]

What the hell is up with the back. And the front. And the side. Jeeeeeesus that thing is ugly!!

Nice interior, agreed with the D-Man here

[092326001]

it has the tr7's side crease x2
it has the profile of the SZ
the lights of the spider
and large grinning clownish grill

[NSXType-R]

Eww... I'm happy it failed. If it didn't what was it supposed to compete with?

The Boxster or Miata maybe?

[90ft]

Fantastic.
It is exactely what I'd have expected from a Cov design student.
good to see the standard hasn't changed over the years

[Spastik_Roach]

Originally Posted by 90ft

Fantastic.
It is exactely what I'd have expected from a Cov design student.
good to see the standard hasn't changed over the years

uh oh...