iChange – the interior concept made
by STRÄHLE + HESS

“I change!” The Swiss out-of-the-box thinker Frank M. Rinderknecht puts this motto of a new world order into practice in his newest concept car. The “iChange”, a zeroemission featherweight, transforms in a matter of seconds from a single seater into a van. STRÄHLE + HESS accounts for the car’s visionary interior. An automotive in-cabin room, variable and changeable as never before, celebrates its world premiere at the 2009 International Motor Show in Geneva.

Ours is a fascinating time. The world has reached a period of thorough reorientation. Economic crisis, climatic change, and cultural wars enforce a revision of opinions. In every crisis, though, there hides a chance. We at STRÄHLE + HESS cherish this chance! We mirror it in the development of an interior, fit to change its shape constantly – enabled to adapt quickly and flexibly to new challenges in ranges previously undreamt of. We set out to create the world’s most versatile in-cabin space. This challenge has to be realized on an ecologic base – just like every single one of our innovative concepts. Following the motto “Put everything to the test, keep what prevails.” we chose to revive a very special eco-material for
our interior: wool. Wool is a material with excellent technical specs – and a long tradition of usage in automotive in-cabin constructions.

In the starting years of the automobile, ladies and gentlemen traveled on wool while the lowly drivers had to content themselves with leather seats. We herald a renaissance of wool in car interiors. Thanks to our excellent partner Schöller Wool Ltd. we were able to adapt and functionalize every single interior component in wool. Wool is one of the most versatile natural materials in existence. In the “iChange” interior we present its many different faces. Whether puristic in the form of wool felt, flex-leveled in the traditional way, combined with technical yarn-elements or even in archaic mixtures containing partially inserted parts of wool. Take, for instance, the “iChange’s” side panel section. We adapted it perfectly to the sound system provided by Harman International Ltd. Fabrics specifically composed and processed for this project – metallized yarn and encased yarn components/PU-yarns – assure an optimal sound experience. In the “iChange’s” seating area we realize in a novel manner – not only optical but also functional – the device “I change!”. We implement this modern motto especially concerning seating comfort. We create changeable driving experiences ranging from technical-sporty till puristic or opulent. The driver may choose between interchangeable seat-pads, available in many different designs. As a matter of course, shock-absorbing and heat regulating fabrics are included.

The “iChange’s” headlining, too, is subject to change. It cools in relation to its surrounding when the sun shines on it. As soon as the ambient temperature declines, the headlining heats up from within: intelligent temperature management by use of natural materials. The very soft woolfabric absorbs excess heat and dispenses it when temperatures drop. This special comfort is presented in its most beautiful shape and color – Schöller Ltd. “cold black”. Even the interior colors reflect “I change!” The “iChange’s” ever changing color elements are manifest in the provocative and eccentric steering-wheel in a constant interplay of copper, silver, and gold. Diamonds and precious metals glimmer in the interior. Metallized fabric creates even more plays of colors and provide a safe grip for the driver when entering the sportive car via the special bodywork.

Our successful cooperation with Frank Rinderknecht continues with the “iChange”. Thankful to Mr. Rinderknecht and his Rinspeed-team, we are looking forward to a future, in which one will be able to adapt even more flexible to the challenges of automotive daily life.


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