Most striking of all is the design's spectacular leaf-themed exterior, made up of dozens of solar panels shaped like the segments of a leaf. "The whole surface is a solar panel," says Pollard. When the vehicle is parked, these segments hinge up on individual mechanical muscles and track the sun so as to bring maximum charge to the batteries. Inside these solar leaves are full-length doors, also hinged from the central spine of the roof.  "I was inspired by castles and knights," explains Pollard, "and how the swords part to allow people in."

Pollard completed his internship at the Land Rover design studio, where he designed a seat which will be fitted to the new LRX compact Range Rover.

Bowler Raptor - dune and desert racer
Ryan David Skelley

Having grown up in a family heavily involved in racing 4x4s, Skelley counts himself "amazingly fortunate" to have been able to do his placement at Land Rover.

"But I didn't want to do a Land Rover for my project," he says, explaining that he preferred to explore the world of extreme racing 4x4s - Baja buggies and desert racers.

His Bowler Raptor is a beautifully detailed electric two-seater buggy with an exposed chassis and a novel cantilever roof construction. Intricate engineering in the suspension and driveline is proudly displayed in the manner of a large remote control model. "It's a big boy's toy, and it's not designed to make the world greener," confesses Skelley.  

Aston Martin Volare concept
James Trim

It is a risk doing something so similar to current Aston Martins, admits James Trim of his Volare project, prompting the obvious question, "what's new?"

Trim's design sharpens up the familiar Aston Martin proportions, with much crisper shoulders and a noticeable rear deck. The solid front grille was inspired by the older V8 Vantage, says Trim, with the flexible front fenders able to alter their shape to reveal daytime running lights or full headlamps. Hydrogen cylinders, visible through the rear glass, feed a fuel cell engine under the bonnet. 

Soliloquy - the super-green superyacht
Alistair Callender

One of several superyacht projects from Coventry's booming boat-design course, Callender's Soliloquy is an ambitious blueprint for a CO2-neutral 58-metre luxury yacht with room for 12 privileged passengers. Propulsion is provided by three giant rigid sails, inspired by the Rotating Tower in Dubai: these sails double as solar collectors and are computer-controlled to optimize current generation as well as propulsive force. The yacht can even sell back power to the grid when moored at a marina, says Callender.

A Lamborghini for bikers
Jonathan Brown

If Lamborghini were to move into the motorcycle sector it would come up with a design completely different from anything yet seen, reasoned Brown when scoping his superbike. Among the key differences are a low-down riding position, inspired by velodrome cyclists, with the rider's arms reaching through the structure. Novel, too are the complex hub-centre steering and the central chain drive to the split rear wheel.

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