This design guide has been produced through research work carried out under the Niche Vehicle Network Research and Development Programme. It is intended that the information contained can be used by vehicle manufacturers and suppliers associated with the UK niche vehicle industry to support the design and development of new vehicles and related products.

The design guide has three main sections:

Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Technologies 

Lightweight Chassis Technologies

Polymer Body Panel Technologies

Each of these sections is presented in a format that will allow quick and easy access to material which identifies the current state of the art in each area and where appropriate, a critique of the advantages and disadvantages of any particular technology from a niche vehicle perspective. In each of the sections a range of case studies has been provided that demonstrates applications of the various technologies using examples from the niche vehicle industry where possible.

The Design Guide was launched at the National Motorcycle Museum in April 2009, a series of presentations were given at the launch, click here to view the presentations in pdf format.