THE TRON CAR QING YI. In August 2013, I was contacted by producers for the Tron ride in Shanghai Disneyland to return to the grid of Tron. It has been an absolute joy. The goal was to create – under creative guidance of GM China, GM North America, and Disney – a vehicle unique enough to capture the audiences fantasies after they exit the exhilarating Tron roller coaster. The post-show exhibit is sponsored by General Motors’ Chevrolet division, therefore I have been working closely with creatives of both Chevy and Disney to distill the perfect essence of Tron and Chevrolet into one machine.
The result is the ‘Qing Yi’, which is now on permanent display in true scale at Shanghai Disneyland, China. Featuring two capsules for riders in Lightcycle-inspired position, and a liquid, high-frequency rendered body shell which smoothly adjusts to steering movements of the front wheels, this high speed cruiser blends styling queues from a real-world Chevrolet Corvette with elements of the iconic Tron Lightcycles.
CREDITS:
My creative process was overseen by Trevor Bryant - Disney, Ed Welburn - GM Vice President of Global Design, Jeff Mylenek - Design Manager GM, Wang Lei - GM Design China. The final model was shaped by Justin Reeves and Nigel Remedios of GM Australia in Autodesk Alias.
The result is the ‘Qing Yi’, which is now on permanent display in true scale at Shanghai Disneyland, China. Featuring two capsules for riders in Lightcycle-inspired position, and a liquid, high-frequency rendered body shell which smoothly adjusts to steering movements of the front wheels, this high speed cruiser blends styling queues from a real-world Chevrolet Corvette with elements of the iconic Tron Lightcycles.
CREDITS:
My creative process was overseen by Trevor Bryant - Disney, Ed Welburn - GM Vice President of Global Design, Jeff Mylenek - Design Manager GM, Wang Lei - GM Design China. The final model was shaped by Justin Reeves and Nigel Remedios of GM Australia in Autodesk Alias.
DESCRIPTION FROM THE EXHIBIT: Qing Yi is a Tron transport that features Lightcycle-inspired ergonomics for pilot and navigator.
Fusing a Corvette with cutting-edge technology from the world of Tron, Qing Yi has the unique ability to drive on and off
the grid using the first generation light fusion reactor powered by Blue Light Energy.
Fusing a Corvette with cutting-edge technology from the world of Tron, Qing Yi has the unique ability to drive on and off
the grid using the first generation light fusion reactor powered by Blue Light Energy.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
www.danielsimon.com
www.danielsimon.com
FROM THE OFFICIAL GM CHINA PRESS RELEASE: Located in Tomorrowland, – a place of limitless possibilities that celebrates the hope, optimism, and potential of the future – TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge joins the TRON presence already at Shanghai Disney Resort.
The experience is easily accessible from TRON Plaza outside the immensely popular TRON Lightcycle Power Run, which made its global debut
at the grand opening of the resort and is exclusively sponsored by Chevrolet. The new and exciting TRON Realm allows guests to imagine,
create, and drive virtual vehicles through the incredible world of TRON, fulfilling Tomorrowland’s bright promise of the future, and making it
attractive for guests seeking new worlds of adventure.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
www.danielsimon.com
www.danielsimon.com
FROM THE OFFICIAL GM CHINA PRESS RELEASE: Qing Yi, the centerpiece of the TRON Realm,
is a “Light Runner”-type Chevrolet vehicle with outstanding driving dynamics and technology.
is a “Light Runner”-type Chevrolet vehicle with outstanding driving dynamics and technology.
Final full size model as the centerpiece of the Tron Realm attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, China.
Still frame from a youtube video by Attractions Magazine.
Final full size model as the centerpiece of the Tron Realm attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, China.
Still frame from a youtube video by Attractions Magazine.
Key Doodle: Very simple and fast sketches were produced to explore a large variety of directions. This one shows the original idea of half exposed riders' legs, which was later eliminated due to manufacturing issues and simplicity of design.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
Concept Model: Final concept model to seek approval from GM and Disney. The very open front would change in the attempt to infuse more Chevrolet DNA.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
Concept Model: Comparison of subtle detail decisions to make.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
Final revision: Sketches for different front solutions, inspired by vintage Chevrolet Corvettes, to merge the Tron esthetic with real world Chevrolet DNA.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
www.danielsimon.com
www.danielsimon.com
Final model: The final design model sculpted by Justin Reeves and Nigel Remedios of GM Australia in Autodesk Alias. With all necessary part lines and details ready for manufacturing.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
www.danielsimon.com
www.danielsimon.com
Final model: The final design model sculpted by Justin Reeves and Nigel Remedios of GM Australia in Autodesk Alias. With all necessary part lines and details ready for manufacturing.
© 2013 Daniel Simon / GM / Disney
www.danielsimon.com
www.danielsimon.com
Behind the scenes: In 2014 with Ed Welburn, General Motors' Vice President of Global Design, after a Tron Car review at Detroit's gigantic Technical Center in Michigan. Opened in 1956 and designed by Eero Saarinen, this gigantic facility is a monument of modernism. Ed Welburn's Bond-style office is almost unchanged since 1956 and was home to such greats as Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell.
Photo: General Motors
Photo: General Motors
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