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For the 2010 show, Top Gear producers wanted to create the ultimate car to star in the finale of the live show. After much debate regarding model, materials, specifications etc. they decided on an almost impossible concept.
“A car will come out and become invisible”
Richard Hammond
Top Gear Live is a live arena show of the award winning TV program Top Gear. The live show features breath-taking stunts, remarkable special effects and epic driving sequences. The live show is home to an array of pyrotechnics, a bombardment of noise and a spectacle of motoring.
A collection of the finest cars from all over the globe grace the arena floor. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May host the live show with their cheeky approach to motoring and humour whilst some of the world’s best precision drivers perform awe-inspiring stunts live in the arena.
“This show is like nothing we have done before. It will have some very very special, special effects,”
Jeremy Clarkson
Ever since it made its live debut on the World Stage in 2008 Top Gear Live has been seen by over 1,000,000 fans and is continuing to push the boundaries of car theatre.
The producers were faced with a problem. How would they design a car which could change state instantly and give this magnificent illusion? What type of materials would allow them to create this?
A further design problem would be the convertible roof feature which would be manufactured entirely of SmartGlass.
It was decided that a switchable glass would be used to make up the bodywork of the car which could switch on and off simultaneously giving the effect of changing visible/invisible states. SmartGlass International was approached to work on this project at the early design stages and to investigate whether the concept would be viable. The design team at SmartGlass International worked on the concept and created a solution.
Polycarbonate was to be used instead of traditional glass to make up the individual panels. The panel sizes were much smaller for this application and required much more detailed wiring so that each individual panel would switch at the exact same time on the car.
Convertible Roof Feature
This was a challenge for the SmartGlass team, but through careful testing of the materials they found the ideal solution. The panels would be aligned and connected in such a way to allow the roof to lift up without the connection being lost so that the panels would switch simultaneously during this particular action scene of the show where the roof rises up to release a passenger from the car. A similar system is used when fitting SmartGlass panels into a folding door system.
The interior of the car was visible when in its clear state showing the famous “Stig” and his female sidekick; when the glass switched to its “invisible” state the passengers could not be seen.
SmartGlass International is thrilled to work on such a remarkable and exciting project.
“Top Gear Live has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of car theatre and each new tour requires incredible technology, passion and dedication to deliver the spectacle our audiences have come to expect. For the 2010/11 Prototype Tour I needed a company who could help me make a car turn from solid to transparent at a touch of a button. SmartGlass International were a great partner working meticulously with me to develop the car panels required for this unique hyper car and proved to be the perfect solution to a problem no one thought they’d ever have; how do I turn my car see through?”
Rowland French – Top Gear Live Shows
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