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Design Comes of Age
That Indian Designers are world-class is borne out by the fact that they have been winning international design competitions. Designer Rajesh Mirajker, the first Indian to win an award in one such competition has entered another with a new concept vehicle, the Chavi.

Designer Rajesh Mirajker's latest entry in an international design competition is the natural evolution of his award-winning Megha concept, called Chavi. The concept presents a multi-role utility in the shape of an inexpensive, small and lightweight vehicle for basic commuting, offering possibilities for body variations to suit individual requirements. It features good ground clearance, short overhang, and heavy duty tyres, extending its use both to cities and rough rural roads.

Rechargeable battery power is proposed for the Chavi. Also featured is a clockwork motor that serves as a supplementary energy storage-and-dispensing device. Should the batteries run down in remote locations, the motor can be manually wound to generate enough power to propel Chavi to the nearest electricity outlet!

The Chavi has a very small floor area, seating four passengers in a Spartan one-box body. The rear seat can be removed and the vehicle turned into a micro-van; or the rear roof and back light sections may be taken out and replaced by a bulkhead window and rear door half panels, quickly transforming it into a pickup.

The semi-open body features swing-up door bars which are reinforced - with spring-loaded flexible plastic screens rolled up inside - to prevent side impact intrusion. Simple sealing and velcro attachments secure the bars to the body providing protection against rain and wind; they are a cheaper option to conventionally hinged doors. They also take up no space when open, whilst offering good access.

The surrounding bumper has running-board-type side steps for easy entry while the rear-view mirror - also the signal combination - serves as clearance markers.

The vehicle's body style follows a rounded theme enhanced by circular motifs symbolising cuteness. This is offset by massive bumpers that imply an inherent toughness. Circular perforations at the rear provide ventilation to the motor.

Chavi, meaning key in Hindi, is a reference to the clockwork mechanism in the car, whilst its use as a name "suggests the means for overcoming an obstacle or problem," explains its designer.