06.06.2004 Pininfarina's partnership with Louis Vuitton may see the 'Enjoy' concept put into limited production next year to celebrate the French luxury goods manufacturer's 75th anniversary

The bodywork in carbon fibre has a central body with an elliptical shape and a wedge-like ridge along the side. The sizeable air inlet at the front meets the slim bumpers above and a wing-shaped element below, which with the wheels uncovered creates a full-width spoiler.

At the centre of the front bonnet a broad scoop hides the opening for the radiator air vent, while the lights are built into a transparent longitudinal band which highlights the separation between bonnet and mudguards.

Four geometrical elements function as removable mudguards which give the vehicle a totally original look, and once removed, highlight technical features typical of the motor biking world, where mechanical elements are a key part of design.

Behind the seats, a roll bar links two domes tapering off into fins which act as air extractors. A luggage rack can be positioned at the centre of the engine housing. The rear of the car features two wide openings for heat exchange and two central exhausts. The layout of the tail lights repeat that of the front lights, to underline the width of the car.

INTERIOR DESIGN BY LOUIS VITTON

Designing the interiors of the Pininfarina Enjoy was all about creating a look dedicated to pure sporting pleasure in a car. Starting from the 2003 concept, Louis Vuitton’s innovation division redefined the ergonomics, instruments and accessories to enhance driving pleasure in its most “primitive” form, typical of a sports car, while keeping its distance from the radicalism of the classic British cabriolet, which is often a little too spartan and “bare” in terms of materials and instrument array. Louis Vuitton came up with a more luxurious atmosphere by selecting forms, materials, colours, trims and fittings “à la Vuitton”.

A technical-looking facia, upholstered in leather and grouping both the instrument array and the opening mechanism, runs round the whole of the interior to reinforce the feeling of protection, while a second vertical band creates a racing car cockpit around the driving seat. The new layout of the instrument array was inspired by rounded shapes and the graphics of the Tambour watch designed by Louis Vuitton.

This being an open car, the materials chosen featured a combination of non-tanned chrome-coloured leather and weather-proof neoprene textiles, which lend a sporty but luxurious feel. And because the Enjoy has neither a roof nor a windscreen, the company came up with a protective helmet. Louis Vuitton has been familiar with this accessory since its first model was launched in 1988. The Enjoy helmet, which takes its colours from the car, features the Louis Vuitton Classic emblem and has two great innovations:

- a double structure which serves to protect the visor, which slides between two shells, and to conceal generous air vents, which enhance comfort;
- an original system of trims for the areas of contact, which enhances protection: a pair of sunglasses which fit the helmet perfectly.

Driving a race car also requires the right clothing. Louis Vuitton developed two driving suits, in men’s and women’s versions, in leather and neoprene in the colours of the car, with protection on the shoulders, hips and knees for greater comfort and to cling better to the seats. The Footwear Division also designed a pair of “car shoes” for city use, inspired by Louis Vuitton classic colours, graphic motifs and materials.

Just as in all high performance sports cars, every millimetre of space in the Enjoy is exploited to the max: with no boot the new Bellaix trolley suitcase (medium-sized model) can be positioned on the rear bonnet. This composite-material luggage offers full guarantees in terms of durability and capacity, meaning that users can safely entrust their belongings to it.