This Gazal 1 concept car has been developed starting from April 2009 by fifty students of the King Saud University, which is in Saudi Arabia. The concept vehicle has recently been presented at the Geneva Motor Show. Magna Steyr and Studiotorino have worked in collaboration with the students to help them on the engineering side and for styling respectively. More than 50 sketches have been created, while the final one was only chosen in May of 2009. Peter Arcadipane, an Australian designer, was invited to supervise the whole project.

One of the main purposes of the designers was to create an SUV, which would feature certain classical undertones, as well as be modern and innovative. In terms of mechanics and chassis the vehicle is based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Each aspect, from engineering feasibility and styling to a running prototype was conducted in Turin and Riyadh city where Magna has its Italian office. The prototype is going to be unveiled in Riyadh this year to mark the end of the project.

As for the name, Gazal is a reference to the fast Arabian Gazelle, probably and extinct antelope identified with the Saudi Arabian area. Green is considered to be quite popular with Arabian people thus it became the main color of choice.

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