Engineered Vision - In an era when cars are increasingly defined by software as much as steel, experimental vehicles often act as quiet milestones rather than loud revolutions. Long before autonomous driving became a global obsession, Brazil had already planted a bold flag in that territory through an academic project that blended engineering ambition with design freedom. That project was The FEI X-20, a roadster created not by a commercial automaker, but by a university environment willing to treat the automobile as both a research platform and a cultural statement.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car, a roadster created not by a commercial automaker, but by a university environment willing to treat the automobile as both a research platform and a cultural statement. (Picture from: GTPlanet) |
The FEI X-20 emerged as the twentieth experimental vehicle developed by
Centro Universitário da FEI (Fundação Educacional Inaciana), and was unveiled at
the 25th São Paulo International Motor Show 2008. Its most defining trait was not raw performance alone, but the fact that it became
the first Brazilian car capable of autonomous driving under controlled conditions. Designed to recognize road markings and steer itself without continuous driver input, the system represented
FEI’s early exploration into vehicle safety and artificial intelligence, positioning
the X-20 as a forward-looking answer to questions the automotive world is still refining today.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car emerged as the twentieth experimental vehicle developed by Centro Universitário da FEI (Fundação Educacional Inaciana), and was unveiled at the 25th São Paulo International Motor Show 2008. (Picture from: FEI in Facebook) |
Visually,
the X-20 embraced the classic spirit of a modern roadster while refusing to look conventional. Conceived by
Professor Ricardo Bock,
the two-seat, roofless body was shaped with smooth,
fluid lines inspired by organic forms,
particularly the motion of a fish through water.
The front presented a striking contrast between a large air intake and distinctive LED headlights formed by illuminated acrylic rings,
giving the car an almost enigmatic expression.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car showcased a bold contrast between its oversized front air intake and distinctive LED headlights shaped by illuminated acrylic rings, creating an almost enigmatic expression. (Picture from: AutoeMecanica) |
At the rear,
FEI revived its signature bifurcated tail design,
exposing mechanical components and reinforcing the vehicle’s experimental identity.
Chrome paint accented with blue details,
transparent wheel centers,
and upward-sliding circular doors completed an exterior that felt both technical and expressive.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car featured a purposeful minimalist interior with sculpted leather sport seats and six-point harnesses, plus a straightforward dashboard integrating essential controls and a dedicated compartment for its autonomous driving computer. (Picture from: AutoeMecanica) |
Inside, the X-20 balanced minimalism with purpose. The cockpit featured leather sports seats sculpted to tightly support the occupants, secured by six-point racing harnesses. The dashboard was intentionally straightforward, housing switches for essential systems such as lighting, engine start, and the autonomous driving function, along with a dedicated compartment for the onboard computer that controlled the self-driving system. Designed by automotive engineering student Fernando Hideyuki Fukunaga, the interior reflected a hands-on academic approach where form followed function without sacrificing visual cohesion.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car used a 550-horsepower 7.0-liter V8 paired with a six-speed manual transmission, delivering remarkable performance for its 980-kilogram weight. (Picture from: AutoeMecanica) |
Beneath its sculpted bodywork,
the FEI X-20 was engineered with remarkable seriousness. A lightweight aluminum tubular chassis formed the structural backbone, complemented by carbon fiber and fiberglass body panels generated entirely through advanced computational simulations, eliminating the need for traditional clay modeling.
Power came from a rear-mounted, mid-engine 7.0-liter V8 sourced from the Corvette Z06,
re-mapped to produce 550 horsepower.
Paired with a modified six-speed manual transmission originally developed for the Porsche 993 Turbo,
the setup propelled a car weighing just 980 kilograms, resulting in an exceptional power-to-weight ratio.
Suspension geometry inspired by Formula 1 concepts,
high-performance brakes,
and premium tires reinforced its technical credibility.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car revived FEI’s signature bifurcated tail design at the rear, exposing its mechanical components and emphasizing its experimental character. (Picture from: GTPlanet) |
What truly set the X-20 apart,
however, was its role as a living laboratory.
Developed collaboratively by students and researchers from mechanical engineering,
electrical engineering,
and computer science,
the autonomous driving system relied on a camera-based vision setup to identify lane markings and maintain steering control on a dedicated test track.
Multiple safety overrides ensured immediate human control if needed,
underscoring FEI’s emphasis on responsible experimentation.
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| The FEI X-20 concept car was finalized in white after being repainted between 2010 and 2011, replacing its original silver color. (Picture from: Pinterest) |
Although limited in speed and scope,
the system laid the groundwork for future research into full vehicle automation,
image recognition,
and human-machine interaction.
It’s believed that this car was originally painted in silver and sometime around 2010/2011 the color was changed to white.
Today,
the FEI X-20 stands as a reminder that meaningful innovation often begins outside commercial showrooms, driven by curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to imagine what mobility could become.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEMECANICA | GTPLANET | ALLCARINDEX | GAZETADOPOVO | FEI IN FACEBOOK ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
