CSC57: The Long Road to Hell and Back
This is the very first CSC57 I’ve hosted, yay! Also, this overwrites earlier lore as well, but considering the numerous and comprehensive changes made to 4.2 since the original version was posted, it’s likely for the best.
Background
SVM Design Studio, Burbank, CA, USA, September 1993 - Deep within the SVM Design Studio in Burbank, the company’s design team has a huge problem. Almost a decade has passed since the introduction of the current generation of the company’s flagship sports car, the Hellblazer, and for all its merits, it is now starting to show its age. Meanwhile, its replacement, due for introduction in 1994 as a 1995 model, has just had its engine, body/chassis material, and suspension signed off, but none of SVM’s in-house exterior design proposals has passed inspection from the higher-ups. That’s where you come in - you will be given an existing test mule, complete with engine, but no fixtures whatsoever. However, you must not submit this mule to me in return; instead, you must create a completely new model for your submission.
Previous Hellblazer
The 1984 Hellblazer’s faceted styling was all the rage when it launched in 1984, but after 10 years on the market, it’s beginning to look and feel dated.
Your task is to give the next-gen Hellblazer the styling it deserves, to serve as a fitting halo car for the company in a new era. The rules are as follows:
- Before you start, you may (optionally) download this file (which contains the test mule that will provide the engine) and save it in the AutomationGame/Saved/UserData/CarSaveImport folder - after it has been imported, you may use its engine in your entry to see if it fits, and I will check on my end as well:
CSC57_-_Test.car (15.4 KB)
Body set rules
The restrictions on body choice are as follows:
- Front engined, RWD only
- Body unlock year no earlier than 1983 and no later than 1995 (the latter avoids use of anything too futuristic)
- Must be a 2-door, 2-seater coupe (not a convertible, and definitely not a truck/ute, SUV, people mover/van or hatchback) with maximum seating capacity of +2 in the rearmost row (in front-engined configuration) and capable of accommodating the engine from the test mule in longitudinal orientation
- Wheelbase must be between 2.5m and 2.7m inclusive (after rounding up)
- No legacy bodies (I don’t have the appropriate mod downloaded or installed)
- Morphing is generally free, but it should have realistic FR proportions (the base of the A-pillar should not be too far forward).
How to test if maximum rear row seating capacity is +2
The seating configuration in the interior tab must look like this:
Or this:
This means that the body set can accommodate a 2-seater or 2+2 configuration at most. However, this is not allowed:
The setup above is a 2+2 configuration in a body set that can accommodate 2 or more full-sized seats in its rearmost row. The next two seating configurations aren’t allowed either:
Above: 4 seats. Below: 5 seats.
Examples of realistic and unrealistic FR proportions
This is an example of realistic FR proportions, with the base of the A-pillar set well back, far enough behind the front axle line.
This, on the other hand, is not an example of realistic FR proportions - the base of the A-pillar is too far forward and too close to the front axle line.
General rules
- Model and trim year must both be set to 1995.
- Do not make any changes to the engine - SVM already froze the specifications for those some time ago.
- Leave the tech pool and quality at +5 and 0 everywhere, respectively.
- Below is the logo for the Hellblazer - don’t forget to use it! At the very least, place it on the front of the car, either on the hood or the grille (or both).
Engineering rules
- Price is not important - this is a halo car, after all. However, regardless of your body choice, it must have the following combination of chassis type, body/chassis material, and suspension:
In other words, the new Hellblazer must have a longitudinally oriented, front-mounted engine, a glued aluminum monocoque chassis with aluminum panels, double-wishbone front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension.
- With the above rules in place, this is still a mostly design-based competition. However, SVM wants a contemporary look, not an overly retro or futuristic one. You may use the examples below as inspiration for your design.
- An interior is not required, nor will it be judged, but you may make one if you wish.
- The design team prefers some exterior colors over others - details are shown below.
Advice on exterior colors
Regarding exterior colors, SVM’s chief design team has a wide range of favorite colors, including bright primary colors (true red, solar yellow with an orange bias, and sky blue), deep metallic colors (ruby/burgundy red, emerald/forest green, navy/sapphire blue, and royal purple); their least favorite colors include pale mint/pastel colors, any matte colors, overly earthy green/brown, grey with too little flake, neon lime green/hot pink, and they are indifferent to any kind of black, white, or silver.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions commence on April 18th, 2023, 12:00 am GMT (before which discussion regarding rules will be allowed) and close on May 2nd, 2023, 12:00 am GMT. Be sure to send in your entries via forum DM (not Discord) during that time period.
- Make sure to set both the Car Model and Engine Family names to “CSC57 - your forum username”.
Good luck, and have fun!
