SAIC Design unveils MG Maze digital concept
SAIC Design, the London-based design studio of the Chinese mega brand, has released a digital concept that draws heavily from the gaming world to make electrified cars fun to drive
The MG Maze concept by SAIC Design has its genesis in the global pandemic, which saw millions of people confined to their homes with little else to do but play video games.
“Inspired from a simple concept of capturing the ‘at home’ gaming scenario and conveying that in the form of a car was our key objective with Maze,” according to SAIC Design. To that end, the exterior design is inspired by gaming hardware with a polycarbonate shell that reveals the inside of the vehicle. The shell doubles as a front opening canopy, which reveals a lounge-like interior with a couch, controller and screen while the open cockpit presents a panoramic view of the outside.
A brace of seats allows for social interaction and collaboration and the seats themselves feature a lightweight aesthetic with a transparent shell and high-tech fabric cushioning that references streetwear.
The Maze nods to structural expressionism – the chassis carrying the components is visible and houses the motors and changeable battery. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Central Processing Unit (CPU) and cooling are also visible and form a part of the aesthetic.
SAIC Design refers to drivers as ‘players’ who can use their phones to access and control the car. UI covers the whole front of the car with a 3D map, gaming-style avatars and journey information. Players can discover ‘easter eggs’ that powers-up their status and are displayed through the car’s lighting, transforming it into an dynamic, interactive piece of art.
The MG Maze is not the first time SAIC has dabbled in gaming-inspired concepts. The company recently unveiled the MG Cyberster, marking the brand’s return to the sportscar realm, the cockpit of which was influenced by the gaming industry.