Continental x AMBIENC3

Retro Meets the Future

Continental reimagines a VW camper van to demonstrate the transportation of tomorrow.

With one eye on the past and another on the future, German automotive manufacturer Continental has launched AMBIENC3 – an autonomous vehicle that offers zones for working and relaxing.

Underpinned by the notion that cars are now the ‘third space’ in people’s lives – after home and the workplace – the vehicle responds to the need for interiors to be multi-purpose as well as more visually appealing and conducive to a passenger’s wellbeing. As such, Continental has created a new concept using innovative technologies and sustainable materials to provide a mood-lifting experience through light, sound and touch.

Natural wood, soft colourways and a gently flowing form give AMBIENC3 an organic feel, and fiddly buttons and switches have been intentionally removed for a cleaner, more calming aesthetic. And though the vehicle’s shell is based on the classic Volkswagen campervan – highlighting the potential for timeworn models to be upcycled – the interior is brimming with innovative surface solutions crafted from renewable and reclaimed materials. Some can generate heat in seconds, while others are characterised by special attributes like stain and abrasion resistance, and even self-healing in the event of damage. The vehicle also features a speaker-less sound system, intelligent glass control, a 360-degree camera for enhanced road safety and a photovoltaic charger on the roof for sustainable energy generation. Plus, passengers can breathe freely thanks to low-emission, lowpolluting standards.

“With AMBIENC3, we are connecting a globally renowned automotive icon with new, intriguing surfaces and future-focused technologies, whose attributes are distinguished through colour, design and material,” says Ralf Imbery, Global Director of Innovation for Transformation & Design at Continental. “We are demonstrating our knowledge of sustainability, design, functionality, ‘third space’ development and customer centricity – it sees us bringing together key drivers for the future of the mobile interior.”

© Stantien