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Metis

How the project came to life
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Project Details

Client: BIEMME SPECIAL CARS

Online: www.biemmespecialcars.it

Video: YouTube - Metis video

Biemme Special Cars, an historical company from Padua which manufactures hearses, commissioned the styling and engineering of METIS hearse to AMV Design. The transformation process started from the model Mercedes Class E, and it resulted in 3 models covering different space needs: 3400, 3700 and 4000.
The customer had two main requests: innovating the design of funeral cars and turning the once handcrafted production process industrial. Thanks to production increase and costs reduction, Biemme Special Cars thus became a market benchmark.
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Concept Design 1
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Concept Design 2
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Concept Design 1
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Concept Design 2
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Concept Design 1

Concept development

The project study started from the side styling. The idea was maintaining the elegant style of Class E, and developing the volumes required. The new design thus tried to conciliate original sobriety and proportions with the new spaces. The result was a harmonious and innovative style. Before developing the rear design, the customer could choose among different proposals for the side profile. The full-scale projection of the new car profile has been very useful as it allowed the customer to visualize the real dimensions and adjust the rear mirror height.

Style surfaces

After the design approval, the style surfaces have been designed and, based on that, the rendered images have been generated.
Thanks to the 3D images, the customer could become aware of the volumes and consider other possible changes.

  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Style Surfaces 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Style Surfaces 3
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Style Surfaces 5
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Mock Up 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Mock Up 3
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Mock Up 4

Mock-up

After updating the surfaces, AMV produced the full-scale mock-up of the new back.
The model, which was obtained completely from the style surfaces file, was produced in low-density polyurethane processed by CNC.

Engineering

Consequently, the engineering involved:

  • parts of the bodywork
  • bodywork anchoring on vehicle frames
  • inside structure
  • tailgate opening
  • glass surfaces.

  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Engineering 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Engineering 5
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Modello per stampo 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Modello per stampo 3
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars Modello per stampo 4
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Model for fiberglass molds

Starting from the engineering, we produced the models necessary to get the molds for the production of bodywork parts in fiberglass. The models were made in high-density polyurethane processed by CNC.
In this phase, the model has a structure and the housing for all the components. It is the exact mold of what you expect to manufacture as a final product.

Fiberglass mold

The next step was the creation of the fiberglass mold, that is to say the female mold from which the final pieces were then shaped.
Fiberglass is the ideal material for series production as it is malleable and cheap.

  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars stampo_vetroresina 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars stampo_vetroresina 3
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars stampate 1
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars stampate 2

Fiberglass pieces

Based on the mold, the final parts of the bodywork were produced in fiberglass as well, and they were mounted on the car original body.

Interiors

Concept

The interior design of Metis car was conceived with base on two intents as well: first, getting rid of the handcrafted process that implied a waste of time and resources. Secondly, but not less important, making the interiors rich and modern with LED lighting.

  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni concept 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni concept 3
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni concept 5
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni concept 6
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni materiali 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni materiali 3
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni materiali 4

Study of materials and colors combination

AMV Design work considered the problem of spaces optimization by studying materials differentiation, interchanging plastic and polished metal parts.
The proposals implied different color choices and combinations of materials such as briarroot, leather and methacrylate.

Design

From study to design, AMV worked to quickly assemble the interiors with good levels of finishing and plastic parts coupling.

  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni progettazione 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni progettazione 3
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni progettazione 4
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni stampate 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni stampate 4
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni stampate 5
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Final pieces

The final thermoformed ABS pieces and the cutting molds were thus produced.

First assembly

Execution of first successful assembly test.

  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni assemblaggio 1
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni assemblaggio 2
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars interni assemblaggio 3
  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars pianale 1
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  • AMV Design Biemme Special Cars pianale 3

Platform

Special attention was given to the development of the platform automatic lifting system and its upholstery.

1. Case study

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