Ferrari design Challenge

Ferrari has announced that it is looking for new ideas from students at four of the world's top automotive design studios. One of them is in the UK - that's the Coventry School of Art and Design - and to emphasise the global nature of the project the other three are the Art Center College of Design of Pasadena, Tokyo Communication Arts and the European Institute of Design, which is based in Turin.

Each of these institutions is being asked to supply the five most promising quarter-scale models and present them to Ferrari in July this year. The technical panel, which includes members of the Ferrari Styling Committee and senior management at the Pininfarina design house, will pick four winners, each of whom will be given the opportunity of work experience at either Ferrari or Pininfarina. Special mentions will also be made where appropriate.

"The art and design schools selected to take part in this project have been chosen for their diverse approach to styling," says Ferrari, "and the project designs results are expected to vary widely."

That's for certain. One thing they won't be doing, if they are to have any chance of making the grade, is copying existing Ferrari ideas, though at the same time the designs "will have to retain the recognisable features and values of the Ferrari marque".