Young designer wins Lotus car design challenge

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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A primary school pupil from Pontypridd has been named winner of a regional STEM competition backed by the automotive sector.

Sophia, a pupil at Coedpenmaen Primary School, took top prize in the ‘Car of the Future’ Design Challenge run by the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation in partnership with Lotus and its authorised retailer HR Owen.

Her winning concept featured a solar-panelled, self-driving electric sports car with eco-friendly wheels designed to deliver a smooth ride.

Judges said the design stood out for combining creative thinking with principles aligned to next-generation electric vehicle engineering.

Sophia’s mother, Lyndsey Jones, said: “Sophia was so pleased with winning this prize. It’s such a great opportunity for children, especially girls, to get involved in a STEM Challenge!”

As part of her prize, Sophia and her friends were collected in a Lotus Emeya and taken to Cardiff City Stadium for a VIP matchday experience during a Cardiff City fixture, where her design was formally recognised.

Lee David, sales manager at Lotus Cardiff, said: “We launched this challenge because we wanted to show young people that the cars of tomorrow will be shaped by creative, curious minds and the entries we received proved exactly that.

“Sophia’s design was exceptional. It was thoughtful and it was ambitious. We’re incredibly proud to have supported this partnership.”

The initiative forms part of the Community Foundation’s wider work to promote education and skills development, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Luke Jenkins Jones, Early Years and Primary Education Coordinator at the Foundation, said: “Sophia’s design stopped us all in our tracks.

“A solar-panelled, self-driving electric car with eco-friendly wheels – from a primary school pupil.

“That’s the kind of thinking that gives you real hope for the future.

“This challenge has been a brilliant example of what happens when a world-class brand like Lotus comes into the community with genuine intent, and we’re grateful to Lotus and HR Owen for making it possible.”