More pics of entrants after the jump
The major auto shows always have a lot of eye candy for the enthusiast, but few things spark the imagination like extreme and impractical concept cars. The concepts at Tokyo always seem like they jumped right out of an anime. In Europe, the designers tend to go for more sex appeal than anything else, and in the US, we almost always display some kind of reckless, overpowered death trap. We're speaking of the pure concept variety, of course. There is one exception; at the Los Angeles Auto Show you can always find concepts that represent the unique culture of Southern California. Take the Hummer 02 concept above for example. Where else but LA (except maybe Tokyo) would a designer unveil a Hummer concept that is said to turn carbon dioxide into oxygen?
These concepts are fueled by the Design Challenge that has been an annual occurence the past three years. The focus this year is to create a vehicle that is aware of its environmental footprint. Many of the vehicles feature some degree of transformation ability, as well as recyclable components.
Follow the jump for more drawings and panel illustrations of the concepts in 'action.' Some of the concepts are cool, others are strange, but none of them have any shred of feasibility. That just makes them all the more interesting. Thanks to Mike Reed for the tip.
[Source: L.A. Voice]
L.A. Auto Show Design Challenge entrants:
Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans
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Audi Dynamic Space Frame
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GMC Hummer 02
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Honda Extreme
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Kia Sandstorm
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Mercedes-Benz REcy
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MINI BioMoke
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Toyota RLV (Renewable Lifestyle Vehicle)
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Volkswagen Nanospyder
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tristam @ Oct 24th 2006 12:40PM
Let's talk about it!
Kowell @ Oct 24th 2006 12:58PM
Kia's Dune Buggy is sweet.....
Dave-in-PA @ Oct 24th 2006 1:08PM
Wow....I'm glad to see designers are getting ready for the day we begin to colonize Mars! Would hate to move there without a suitable ride.
Juan @ Oct 24th 2006 1:15PM
Are any of those going to be at the show in the metal (ahem... in the space age composite), or do people just walk around with 3d glasses staring at renderings?
Mack Reed @ Oct 24th 2006 1:16PM
My name's actually Mack, but you're welcome.
Howard Kerr @ Oct 24th 2006 1:50PM
So this is what you would get if you crossed a Hummer H2....and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?
The Kia is an "interesting" update of the dune buggy, and the Mercedes looks like it was made from slbs of carbon fiber.
Apparently, the designer of the BioMoke has never seen an original Mini Moke...a vehicle that looks more like a minimalist VW Thing.
auto babes @ Oct 24th 2006 3:56PM
The future sounds good !
Miniac @ Oct 25th 2006 3:30PM
MINI BIOMOKE ROCKS!!!