This time around, the LA Design Challenge has the World of Motorsport in the year 2025, as its theme. As we would expect from this challenge, this year’s entries are a mesmerizing glimpse of the future of Motorsports. Entries to this year’s challenge come from Audi, Mitsubishi, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, GM, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen. If these designs are anything to go by, the future of Motorsports will have cars buzzing at amazing speeds, all running on minimum or zero emissions. Here’s a rundown of all participants to the design challenge.
Audi R25
This one is our favorite to win the Design Challenge. Audi R25 looks at WiTricity, or wireless electric charging zones on the track. With these free-charge zones, the racers don’t need fuel stops, and the cars can go on without a break. Running on Algae biofuel and electricity, the R25 has an interesting man-machine interface, which shows all vehicle data on the driver’s helmet visor. Things really get better with dynamic sensors and integrated HD cameras that allows spectators to sit and experience the race, virtually. We would certainly prefer watching the race from where the driver is, and this spectator interaction is a great concept in itself.
Audi R25 Picture Gallery
Mitsubishi MMR 25
MMR 25 is a multi-terrain vehicle with wheels getting eight independently controlled motors. This enables the vehicle to move easily in any perceivable direction on the road. With its superior handling of curves, we’re guessing the MMR 25 will rule the drift tracks in 2025.
Mitsubishi MMR 25 Picture Gallery
BMW Hydrogen Powered Salt Flat Racer
Salt flats are the place you go to reach mind-boggling speeds. BMW’s concept “reuses” scrap for constructing the body with oil barrels, barbecue lids and the like. This one even throws in Goldfish as “co-pilots” swimming around the fuel tank. If the future is going to have fish as copilots, we think the car with the shark as the driver to win, not much of a competition there.
BMW-hydrogen-powered-salt-flat-racer Picture Gallery
Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero
Merc isn’t ready to shed off its luxury image even on the race track. The Formula Zero racecar has an aero-efficient skin and runs on electric hub motors. Apparently, the designers spent more time on visualizing the track than the design of the car. The track for these race cars is going to be transparent and visible from all angles.
Mercedes Benz Formula Zero Racer Picture Gallery
GM Chapparal Volt
Chapparal Volt uses EREV propulsion and energy management, and also goes to the ancient-concept of five elements. The Chapparal will, however, use only three of these elements: Earth, for gravity and momentum; Wind, for cooling, energy regeneration and braking; Fire, to capture energy from the sun.
GM Chapparal Volt Picture Gallery
Toyota Lemans Racer
Toyota’s concept runs on hydrogen fuel, but does have photovoltaic panels for backup. The vehicle can go into High Speed mode with narrow vehicles and body to reach speeds of 350mph. The Cornering Mode is obviously going to be a savior at these speeds, with wider and more stable body and tires. They have also thrown in a robo co-pilot to manage on-board systems and repairs.
Toyota Lemans Racer Picture Gallery
Honda The Great Racer 2025
Honda’s concept can literally move over water, land and possibly every imaginable terrain. This concept has been built for races that would require navigating the entire globe…in 24 hours. That is going to be one crazy racing event.
Honda Great Racer 2025 Picture Gallery
Mazda Kaan
Built for team racing, the Kaan will use electricity to reach 250mph. The design is inspired by electric fields and textures seen in nature, and we can say it is one of the best visual treats among designs in the competition. The Kaan has a capsule to safely house the driver, while the team creates a peloton formation and races to victory.
MAZDA KAAN Picture Gallery
Volkswagen Bio Runner
Bio Runner imagines a Baja1000 with a fixed 10 gallons of fuel. The rider can manipulate the vehicle’s center of gravity by changing the position of the wheels. Arial Reconnaissance Drone feeds information and video to the driver in case of poor visibility conditions.
Volkswagen Bio Runner Picture Gallery
Via: LA Auto Show
