Interview with Ugo Spagnolo - Designer of the San Francisco "Ethylik"

Interview with Ugo Spagnolo

Winner of Local Motors' San Francisco
Shooting-Brake Competition


AFC: What was your main influence as you created this concept?

US: I was very inspired by the American automobile codes, the muscle cars and the American users needs. I have made a project at school with friends and America was a part of the project, I have learned a lot of things that I have used in this work for LM. Of course the video interviews posted on your website made at San Francisco were very important in the first design step.

AFC: Which aspects of the San Francisco interviews were most useful?

US: Many things have inspired me in these interviews: Diversity, fun, high powered, sporty, performance, stylish, compact for parking, useful ...!!! I have tried to associate all this to obtain a car which pleases at most of people. I believe that I heard this "everybody needs a car" and for this project I did not want a specific target but just an answer to a general need.

For the style of the car I was influenced by American car. The muscle cars have a very strong identity and for this electric shooting brake I want a new identity. It's why I have associated to "the muscle cars inspiration" smooth shapes and curves. That express more aerodynamism, fluidity and lightness. I think it's a good way for an electric car.

AFC: What is your favorite feature of the vehicle?

US: I don't think there is a better feature. For me a good design is a complete design, in a car each aspect needs to be associated.



A vehicle must be coherent in its use and its aspect, it is necessary to think about the whole vehicle during the phases of researches. The inside and the outside are inseparable as well as the functions. Finally it is only my point of view that is why I can't answer to this question.

AFC: Would you support a different type of door design for the Ethylik? One of the concerns in this region is sharing the road with people on bikes. If you could create a door (suicide, butterfly, etc), that doesn't swing so wide, you could help save the lives of bikers.

US: Yes, of course it's not a problem, we can change the type of door ! I think that will not have big consequences on the design.

AFC: Did you find the advice of any community members to be particularly helpful as you developed the Ethylik?

US: Not really, I shall like to have the time to discuss during my research phase but I really had no time, I had only the evening to dedicate me completely to the project during a week, I really had no time to have a dialogue and ask advices. The time was very short for me!!

AFC: At some point in the future Local Motors wants to build a Micro-Factory in San Francisco. So far, this design is the top choice for the region. Given the opportunity, would you embrace the opportunity to see your design on the road?

US: Oh yes !! I really hope that you could develop this project. And I shall be very happy to participate in it.

AFC: Finally, what does the name "Ethylik" stand for? How did you come up with it?

US: I don't think really ! I would a name who express "lightness" and the "electric" way. "Ethylik" seems to me a good compromise. The sound express these two aspects ! But with my "Frenglish"! I don't know if you think that too ? But it's just a name !