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The University of Huddersfield’s Toniq-R is the first ever full size concept car to be built by British students. The team of four final-year transport design students worked together to design and build the lightweight sports-car that is the Toniq-R. This revolutionary kit car is based on the existing Westfield chassis and could head straight into production if a suitable manufacturer is found. The 21st Century styling of the Toniq-R brings it visually up to date to complement the existing car’s continually developed performance.

Westfield were initially involved in the project until they were scared off by the ‘far too radical approach’ which would apparently be un-marketable as a production car. This forced the team of students to proceeded alone, finding their own sponsors along the way to create the pre-production prototype, first launched at the University of Huddersfield’s 3D degree show on 21st June 2002.

The four designers have interesting backgrounds with Angus Fitton having worked for Autocar and Top Gear as a journalist, and Colin Williams having worked at TVR in their design department for many years. Paul Phillpot brought design detail expertise from Lewmar yachts, where he designed a new pulley which now sells all over the globe whilst Will Baxter completes the team with previous professional experience in the kit car market, having worked on a similar Caterham 7 concept. Will also has first-hand experience of engineering, having worked at Interfleet Technology during his one year internship, part of the Huddersfield course.

Much support for the project was solicited from within the motor industry. Sponsors included the RAC (transportation of the prototype around country for painting and shows) and Aspley Autoparts (wheels, tyres & all accessories). Jaguar cars UK machined many detail parts which the team had designed on CAD and HMG Paints of Manchester applied the titanium and electric blue paintwork. Denaco supplied a hard resin which enabled the creation of a solid body which feels like fibreglass but is infact blue foam and polyfiller! Having spent all year building the car the team members are now out trying to find their dream jobs - designing cars for a living.