Young Brit pens new Ferrari

Text: Richard Yarrow / Photos: Endstart Photo

27th July 2011

A British student has the car world at his feet after clinching a podium finish in a prestigious global design challenge.

Henry Cloke created a stunning ice-white winter hypercar for his entry in the Ferrari World Design Contest. He collected his third place prize at a gala event in Italy, attended by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Formula One driver Fernando Alonso.
 
“My inspiration came when I saw a Ferrari marketing video for the FF four-seater, which had the car driving through snow,” explained Henry, 23. “I’m a skier, so this idea brought together my two passions,” he added.

The Cavallo Bianco car – it’s Italian for ‘white horse’ and a play on Ferrari’s black horse logo – is driven by a V6 engine running on bioethanol. It generates electricity to power a small motor in each wheel hub, allowing the car to skate across frozen lakes.

The brief was to pen a new Ferrari using state-of-the-art materials and technology. It must have outstanding performance, be compact, light, aerodynamic and innovative, and reflect the brand’s proud heritage.

More than 400 entries came from young designers all over the world. First prize went to students from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. Henry, from Wadhurst, East Sussex, is halfway through a two-year post-graduate course in automotive design at London’s renowned Royal College of Art.

His tutor Julian Reichman said: “Henry’s thinking was clear, and the car stands out because it’s different. His career is already going in the right direction, but this success will give him more kudos.”