Saphir: A Poetic Homage to Bucciali

Reviving the Spirit of Bucciali through Innovative Electric Car Design

Paul Albert and Angelo Bucciali, sons of organist Joseph Bucciali, founded Bucciali. Their cars were innovative, and P.A. Bucciali even fixed and built organs for his father. This musical past and innovative spirit have inspired Camille's Saphir. As electric cars become more prevalent, they must make sounds for safety reasons. Saphir is a creative solution to this problem, functioning like a wind instrument or organ pipe that requires driving to supply air.

Saphir is a unique blend of automotive design and music. Each road or street becomes a unique track where the car plays a distinct sound, creating an unusual driving experience. The car's bodywork is made of aluminium, and the frame is made of carbon fiber. The model is made using styling clay and steel for the frame, designed to support up to two tons of clay.

The car's technical specifications are impressive. Saphir is 4980mm long, 1980mm wide, and 990mm high. It's a two-seater with a unique seat designed to bring the passengers as close as possible without interfering with the driver. The electric engines produce 400 horsepower with 500 N.m of torque, and the car can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The batteries allow for a range of 400 kms.

The design process started in Paris in May 2014 with a blank sheet of paper and the desire to create something unique. The one-scaled model began in August 2015 in Reims and is continually improved before starting work on a real prototype. The most significant challenge has been the financial aspect of the project, not the car's construction.

Saphir is more than just a car; it's a poetic vision of what an electric car's sound could be. Each action on the car, from turning to accelerating to braking, produces a unique sound due to speed variations. However, if one wishes to enjoy the peace of the landscape, the sound can be turned off. This concept car is designed for those who love to experiment, appreciate timeless cars, and enjoy experimental music.

Saphir's unique design and innovative concept have not gone unnoticed. The design was awarded Silver in A' Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill. Saphir certainly fits this description, showcasing a remarkable level of excellence and introducing positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.