Michelin Challenge Design Contestants Start to Appear

The Michelin Challenge Design exhibit, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), will display 11 scale models selected by a jury of automotive designers. There will also be 24 two dimensional drawings chosen and as the show approaches, Michelin Challenge Design will be profiling some of the selected participants and their work.

One participant is a 26 year old Hungarian called Zsolt Tarnok who designed the 'Concept SsS' hoping to create a new icon for America. He combines modern technology with clean design cues from the past to spawn a muscle car. The 26-year old was born in Budapest, Hungary and he received his first Masters Degree in Product Design and Engineering in 2006 at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

The second masters degree was obtained at Masters Course at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, Italy, where he completed the Car and Transportation Design course. He now owns a “Virtual design” studio in Budapest along with a Hungarian friend.

Another contestant, is Colin Pan, a 20-year old student of vehicle engineering at Wuhan University of Technology in China. He entered the Michelin Challenge Design to develop his style to a more mature state.

His design is also oriented on America's classic cars and heritage and is manifested in a trans-continental luxury coupe called the “Nebula” The stunning looking vehicle has large wheels to help reduce vibration and improve fuel efficiency and a luggage area positioned at the front of the vehicle.

Trying to stay ahead, the plucky Hungarians, also including Gabor Magyari, Zsolt's friend, designed the ‘SunTruck' concept representing a new generation of a transatlantic highway cruiser. Magyary (27) graduated the University of Technology and Economics in Budapest, Hungary, in 2007, and specialized in industrial and Product Design.