EDAG and Rinspeed Present the Chopster

Press Release

• Exclusive and extroverted
• World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2005

On March 1, 2005 the city on the Rhone river will witness the world premiere of the "Chopster," a very special type of SUV. The Chopster is a joint project of the exclusive Swiss automotive tuning powerhouse Rinspeed AG and EDAG Engineering + Design AG - an international innovative development partner for the automobile industry.

"The Chopster is a luxury-class life-style SUV that was designed specifically for automobile enthusiasts who appreciate a sporty and highly extroverted appearance in the SUV segment," say Rinspeed chairman Frank M. Rinderknecht and EDAG board spokesman Matthias Topp about their joint project. Given that goal the designers of both companies came up with a vehicle whose ambitious exterior immediately commands respect. To emphasize its sporty character the EDAG design team chopped the roof of the original vehicle by a whopping 70 mm and added muscular fender flares. "Our inspiration for the design of the Chopster was the image of an American football player whose outfit and athleticism stands for enormous strength and assertiveness," explains Johannes Barckmann, director of the EDAG-design studio. The wide muscular flares above the wheel arches in combination with the lowered roofline of the Chopster are consciously designed to evoke the image of a football player ready to pounce. The massive wedge-shaped side skirts visually reemphasize the SUV's urge to storm forward. The newly designed front of the vehicle is similarly impressive: The beefy front bumper features large air inlets for the intercoolers, an unmistakable sign for the enormous demands for air made by the 600-hp turbocharged engine that was developed by BSO 2001 Software & CAD Engineering.

The parallel horizontal lines of the vehicle's rear further bolster the overall muscular appearance of the Chopster. Befitting its character the Chopster runs on enormous 23-inch wheels, which were custom-cast by 'CW Fahrzeugtechnik Vertriebs GmbH.' Low-profile Continental SportContact UHP tires in size 315/25 provide the necessary grip.

The luxurious yet sporty look continues in the design of the interior. Each of the four occupants has his own separate sport seat - either by Cobra Seats or by Recaro. A futuristic center console spans the length of the interior from the shift gate to the rear seats. The bow-shaped console houses cup holders and switches as well as the on-board infotainment system with Blaupunkt monitors, DVD player and Sony PS2 game console.

The materials used in the interior are of the highest quality: The Chopster on the Rinspeed exhibit at the show is painted matte silver. The interior features a combination of black leather and dark grey Alcantara. Silver carbon inserts from steering wheel to door handles, all handcrafted by MP Design with loving attention to detail, add to the sporty character of the Chopster. Illuminated sill plates from 'INT autotechnik' round out the interior.

EDAG Engineering + Design AG exhibits yet another equipment version of the Chopster on their show display: In fine contrast to the orange-metallic exterior the interior is dominated by natural-white leather. Various applications in body color round out the sporty yet elegant overall appearance.

"Customers can individualize the interior of their Chopster to suit their personal preferences," explains Frank Rinderknecht. The 600-hp Chopster will be built in an exclusive small-series production run starting in April of 2005. It can be ordered from Rinspeed AG starting at about 325,000 euros. Small-series production is handled by EDAG.

The highly experienced prototype builders from EDAG Engineering + Design AG ensure that the act of chopping is done with perfect craftsmanship while retaining the high safety standards of the original vehicle. Installation of add-on parts as well as the implementation of customer-specific requests in the interior is done in the model-building shop at EDAG headquarters in Fulda.

The model-building specialists of EDAG are normally tasked with the creation of perfect design models for the international automobile industry. They guarantee that the production of the Chopster involves only the highest level of craftsmanship.

. The Chopster represents an exclusive, extroverted and trendy crossover addition to the SUV segment.

Information about Rinspeed Inc.

Rinspeed is a leading provider of exclusive car accessories, vehicle customizations and conversions, made-to-order vehicles and prototypes - for customers, dealers and the industry.

In keeping with their motto 'always one idea more!' the Swiss design powerhouse forges ahead with exceptional and often polarizing concept vehicles: From a hydrofoil sports car that 'flies' over the water to a compact city car that grows in length at the push of a button to an SUV equipped with a hovercraft - the Rinspeed repertoire of visionary ideas is inexhaustible. These eye catchers can be found at car shows, expos and on promotion tours around the world - from Melbourne to Moscow to Mexico City. They present a reason to dream for young and old on all six continents.

But dreams aren't everything: A full-range tuning program from powerful engine tuning to exclusive leather interiors for all current Porsche models is very popular among sporty minded Porsche drivers. Highly individualized, custom-built and made to order - the automotive Haute Couture.

Importers or manufacturers looking to build a special edition series? Rinspeed consults, designs and implements - on time, on budget and with top quality - in any number from to ten to well over a thousand units. That special something for everybody.

Information about EDAG Engineering + Design AG

EDAG Engineering + Design AG is a leading full-service development partner for the international automobile industry. It offers a full range of development and project management services for vehicles, derivates, modules and production facilities. In addition to development work EDAG also provides planning and construction of entire production facilities for body-in-white shop and vehicle assembly. Reference projects such as e.g. the entire development of vehicle derivates for DaimlerChrysler and PSA or turn-key projects such as the body-in-white shop for the Mercedes SL in Bremen document the company's competence as a partner responsible for development work.

EDAG employs some 4,200 specialists at 35 facilities around the globe and recorded sales of some 600 million euros in 2004, making it one of the world's largest independent engineering companies in the automotive industry.