Sneak peek at Mitsubishi's LA Design Challenge entrant: MMR25 Rally Racer
Click above for gallery of the Mitsubishi MMR25 Rally Racer concept
The LA Auto Show is once again hosting its annual Design Challenge in which automakers are asked to let their minds wander and think freely about what future vehicles might actually be like. Last year's theme was green, but this year designers are being asked to imagine what motorsports will be like in 2025.
Mitsubishi's answer will be the MMR25 Rally Racer, a way out there concept that draws upon the automaker's long lineage of successful rally racing to create a sand crawler like we've never seen before. We've only got a sneak peek for now, so there's no telling what exotic or outright fictional engine powers the MMR25, but expect it to be just as crazy as those multidirectional wheels.
[Source: Mitsubishi]
PRESS RELEASE
"This year's Motorsport 2025 project is just the sort of assignment the designers at Mitsubishi Motors dream of. It's rooted it the reality of automotive competition that our company is so successful at, but lets us look way out on the horizon as to where technology may take us. We all loved hearing the words, 'design a race car,' but really smiled when we learned it was a race car for the year 2025. That combined with linking the car to some of the fabulous racing heritage that's taken place here in California makes it indeed one of the most exciting projects we've ever worked on. My dream would be to actually build and drive this car on the course it was designed for."
David O'Connell
Chief Designer
Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
xpolarx 3:05PM (9/26/2008)
I have absolutely no idea what the hell I'm looking at here.
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Chris 3:18PM (9/26/2008)
That makes 2 of us lol
john 4:05PM (9/26/2008)
Hmm, I've seen this wheel design somewhere, ahh here it is, airtrack:
http://blip.tv/play/hVbO504A
I really like how this looks, like a scorpion. I love the outside-the-box car design.
xpolarx 6:36PM (9/26/2008)
@ John
Thanks for that link, man. Makes the concept a little more comprehensible.
nick 3:06PM (9/26/2008)
Way too much unsprung weight, thing would be a sloth.
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Mark 7:45PM (9/26/2008)
seems as though
B 3:09PM (9/26/2008)
SEX!
wow...yes, they have my attention.
;-)
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TJ 3:09PM (9/26/2008)
The screw-drive tires are an interesting touch....
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Mark 7:45PM (9/26/2008)
very pretty
PauloBecker 4:56PM (9/30/2008)
Dunno why, but they scare the hell outta me.
B 3:22PM (9/26/2008)
Unbridled creativity in contemporary automotive design!!!
This MUST be a sign of the impending apocalypse!
I've gotta check my window for the four horsemen...
...gotta go
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jbuers 3:28PM (9/26/2008)
How would one see the road ahead? Why is there seemingly no suspension? Why do I seem to care about something that will never be produced?
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bigbear7787 3:32PM (9/26/2008)
you guys dont seem to ever get it... everyone KNOWS this isnt going into production so get over the fact that companies make concepts... its a fact of life.. you dont need to complain every time you see one
jbuers 3:36PM (9/26/2008)
Sorry, I forgot the point of designing something was to make it completely unsaleable.
Joe 4:10PM (9/26/2008)
Probably has inboard shocks via pushrods.
Temple 6:07PM (9/26/2008)
>>Sorry, I forgot the point of designing something was to make it completely unsaleable.
Sorry it isn't another Mitsubishi Colt or econocar concept. What exactly is the problem with designers being a little creative once and awhile? Exercising imagination and thinking unconventionally.
Brandon 3:31PM (9/26/2008)
If transformers had babies...
I think that's what it would look like...
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Cole Mitguard 3:31PM (9/26/2008)
I think that if there was ever a need for a smaller version of the batmobile... this would be a winner... perhaps Robins car? Its even in the right color, hahaha.
I would love to see this bad boy in action...
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Amani576 3:46PM (9/26/2008)
I had to look at the rear picture of it to figure out how to interpret this picture, and then realized that this picture is one of it in action. And it's really cool in my opinion, although too low to be practical for most rally situations, it would be bad ass to see it sliding around a corner in real life.
I think I'd solidly crap my pants at the awesomeness of actually seeing that.
GR
Alex 3:41PM (9/26/2008)
I'm not sure what the purpose of those wheels would be on a sand racer. Those kinds of wheels are used in places where a vehicle needs to change directions in very cramped conditions and cannot turn the vehicle. They would just get stuck in sand.
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