Contera MD1 - an uncompromising British-built 3-seater sports car
Commissioned by Contera Cars, Trimworks was tasked with designing and developing the seating and interior components for the Contera MD1, building on the original prototype concept, which had recently received an award at Salon Privé.
The MD1 is a three-seat sports car with a central driving position, following an uncompromising, race car-inspired layout made famous by the McLaren F1 and, more recently, the Gordon Murray T.50.
Contera vehicles in various stages of build
Interior design concepts are presented and discussed
Contera MD1 is awarded at Salon Privé
Contera vehicles in various stages of build
Using the prototype and initial road-registered vehicle as a starting point, we developed an interior design package that celebrates the central driving position. Carefully considered visual elements reinforce the three-seat configuration, drawing the eye towards the driver’s seat both from outside the vehicle and within the cockpit.
Three distinct design concepts were presented, each with its own material selections and colour palette. Working closely with the Contera team, we refined the chosen direction, balancing practicality and durability with a heightened sense of luxury.
The seating components were designed with particular attention to assembly, installation and accessibility, addressing the challenges of packaging a bespoke interior within the MD1’s compact cabin.
The result is a driver-focused cockpit that combines understated luxury with everyday practicality, and a seating system engineered for efficient, repeatable manufacture, ready for the MD1's first series-production run.