The development of the automotive industry in the future will be associated with significant waves of innovations. Priority are strategic innovations based on strong differentiation of cars for traditional as well as for the newly growing markets and on applications of new materials and electronic components in automobile design, together with changes in the technology and organization of production. Many expert studies were dealing with the vision of future cars. There is a consensus on the ideal car of the future with the following features:

• The motors and drive train. Efficient, clean, small, light, inexpensive, reliable, durable, high-performance integrated combustion engine.
• Alternative propulsion vehicles. Sustainable energy and propulsion systems that meet the needs and demands of society, industry and the environment, electro-mobility and hydrogen as fuel.
• The software, sensors, electronics, mechatronics and telematics. Intelligently responsive, adaptable, safe vehicle, operated in an environment optimised road transport system.
• The design and materials. Strong, lightweight, safe, environmentally-friendly, inexpensive and re-configurable structures and materials.
• The design and manufacturing process. Efficient, fast, sensitive and responsive integrated design and production process of vehicles.

An important stimulus for the future development is of the Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable development of the automotive industry EU- CARS 2020, which notes that the automotive industry is a key player in the new industrial revolution. The automotive industry is now in point of historical change. It is expected that during the next decade there will be significant changes in several areas that will transform the industry and its markets around the world.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Kosice is active during many years in research and education specified for the automotive industry. The Faculty has achieved the results in innovative projects such as building of experimental vehicles. For the competition Shell Eco-marathon there were developed vehicles with the piston combustion engines and also the hydrogen-powered vehicles.

A significant project was the student vehicle ICAR 2012, which was built on the platform of the Skoda Fabia with original bodywork type roadster and attractive door, including a new interior. The aim of this project was to demonstrate that our students can use portfolio of techniques for the development of the car such as: creating design sketches, digital and physical models, CAD calculations and design, technology planning, manufacturing of atypical parts, final assembly and testing of the prototype.

To the new challenges the Faculty reacts by ambitious research-development projects. The symbolic start of a new project of the student electric car for future is the event, when the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Dr.h.c. mult. prof. Ing. František Trebuňa, CSc. took over from Chairman of the Volkswagen Slovakia, Mr. Eric Reinhold, the electric VW e-up.

The Volkswagen presents the E-Up as a vehicle for everyday use. The small size is ideal for driving in town because the electric motor has zero local emissions. The electric motor has the output 60 kW and it is powered by means of lithium-ion battery with the capacity of 18.7 kWh, which is integrated into the chassis of the vehicle.

The new project idea is to design and to build a modern, innovative electric vehicle using the advanced ultra-light materials and with an innovative design for young users. It will be not only an urban vehicle, but also a vehicle for leisure time during the time period of the years 2020-2025. Progress in batteries and charging stations network after the year 2020 will solve the problem of driving range. Therefore the new solutions must be focused on a modification of cars for new customers.

While the student project car ICAR 2012 demonstrated ability of our students to apply technology for product design, the new project is setting other goals. Looking to the distant future, this project is a challenge for creativity, for application of new materials and communications technology as well as it means a responsibility with regard to the environment. That is a great challenge of this new project.

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