Super-futuristic designs for cars that are "grown" rather than built and powered by compressed air have been put together by some of the world's most famous manufacturers.
The Honda Air was inspired by skydiving 'wing suits'. Pic: Design Los Angeles
The likes of Honda, Mercedes and luxury car maker Maybach are competing for a "green" award at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show.
Top manufacturers were invited to come up with "comfortable, stylish and safe" vehicles that would weigh no more than 1,500lbs - lighter than a Mini Metro - and run on renewable fuels.
The Biome, from Mercedes-Benz. Pic: Design Los Angeles
Honda has submitted the Air, which it says was inspired by rollercoasters and skydiving suits, runs on compressed air and weighs just 800lbs.
Other entries range from cars "grown" from seeds to futuristic models with computers that could link up to a city's transport infrastructure and avoid traffic jams.
Volvo's Air Motion is lighter than an F1 racecar. Pic: Design Los Angeles
The designs include the Mercedes-Benz Biome, which designers say would be created in a lab from organic material and absorb solar energy like a plant.
The Cadillac Aera, from General Motors. Pic: Design Los Angeles
The Nissan iV would be built from fast-growing ivy and a substance based on a spider's web.
Nissan's iV, which has ultra-light bodywork. Pic: Design Los Angeles
Volvo's Air Motion uses thousands fewer parts than a traditional car thanks to powerful but simple compressed-air motors.
Other manufacturers taking part include General Motors, Honda, Mazda and Toyota.
Maybach's DRS is based on a rickshaw. Pic: Design Los Angeles
The winner of the 2010 Design Challenge, which is in its seventh year, will be announced on November 18.
via Sky News
No comments:
Post a Comment