Mercedes-Benz Axor Truck Concept

The Mercedes-Benz Axor was developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz by IED São Paulo student Carlos Brito as his final graduation project for the Master in Transportation Design course.

The main goal of the project was to study how improvements in aerodynamics can be applied to a long distance truck in order to offer a visually attractive yet efficient vehicle to company owners and truck drivers.

A key characteristic of the Mercedes-Benz Axor Truck Concept is a focus on brand identity, particularly important given the heritage and strong tradition of Mercedes-Benz trucks.

Speaking about the design development, Carlos explains, “The shape of the vehicle is inspired by both nature and technology. The influence from natural surfaces of bone structures and technical graphics inspired by technology illustrate the opposition between the rational and functional characteristics of a truck and the emotional and expressive soul of Mercedes-Benz.”

The exploration sketches of the first phase show more precise surfaces inspired by electronic components and product design. The exploration then evolves to a more organic approach, showing more sculptural surfaces at the end of the process. These two surface languages then merge to create shapes that are both rational and emotional.

The final design show the association between the headlight area of the truck and eye sockets found in animal skulls, creating a mean and powerful face. The same graphic shape and surfaces that surround the headlights are reinterpreted at the rear to create a strong relationship between the two areas.

The inspiration for the grille surfaces came from the forms of a ribcage, emphasizing the preciousness of the Mercedes-Benz star, the heart of the truck. The grille has more mass right in the center, where the star is, and then gets lighter towards the edge, where the air intakes are positioned.

The graphics of the grille were a key element to keep the band’s DNA. The inspiration taken from the Mercedes-Benz 190E and the F125 create a relationship between the past and the future, expressing the heritage and the tradition of the brand.

Finally, the two colors of the body express the two different design languages: rationality and precision vs. emotion and expressiveness.”

About the Designer

Carlos Brito is a 25 years old designer from Brazil. He graduated in product design and recently finished the Master in Transportation Design course at IED São Paulo.

Contact Details:

• email: carlosbritodesign@hotmail.com
• portfolio: behance.net/carlosbrito

(Image Courtesy: Carlos Brito for Car Body Design)