The collaborative project, launched by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association to showcase Canadian expertise, now moves to the engineering phase, with the car’s construction and release slated for 2022

After months of consideration, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association has unveiled the design for Project Arrow.

The winning proposal, dubbed Traction, from Carleton University’s School of Industrial Design, was picked as part of a national competition that drew nine submissions, three of which made it to the final round.

Project Arrow, introduced at CES 2020, aims to produce a full-build, zero-emission concept vehicle “that will showcase what Canada’s world-class automotive supply sector, its auto-tech SMEs and academic institutions can do on the global stage if we work together,” according to today’s announcement.

Challenge answered

“We challenged design schools across the country to conceptualize the vehicle design and the response was excellent,” said Colin Dhillon, chief technical officer at the APMA in a press release. “To see young minds step up and work through the COVID-19 pandemic was inspiring. Their design ideas would make any global OEM design studio proud.”

Of Carleton’s winning design, Flavio Volpe, president of the APMA said, in a tweet, that it seems to showcase a precise image of Canada.

“Congratulations to the students from @Carleton_U who worked with @autodesk to render an iconic shape that recalls the Canadian Shield, the icy confidence of the Canadian climate and a stance that speaks to our national resolve,” he said.

The two other finalists were Archer from Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and Sea to Sky Electric’s E-Nova from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

First of four phases

This announcements marks completion of the first of four planned project phases, leading up to the physical vehicle launch in 2022. Phase 2, the Engineering Specifications release and Supplier RFP, is to be completed later this fall, followed by the Virtual Concept Unveiling in 2021 and the Concept Car Release and Tour the year after.

According to Volpe, the build leader on the project will be Ontario Tech University in Oshawa. The Windsor Essex Economic Development Corp. will provide VR support in the form of a virtual build.

“We feel privileged to be making our mark on the growing Canadian auto industry while playing our part in pushing towards a zero-emissions future,” said Kaj Hallgrimsson, a member of the Traction team at Carleton.

“We designed this vehicle to represent what Canada is all about and can’t wait to see it on our roads someday.”