Design L.A.

Prototypes come out by the dozens every year as manufacturers display their visions for the future. Each design studio pushes its own limits in every aspect from the visible to the latent. With focuses varying over a large spectrum it is almost impossible to endorse one prototype over another. So where do we find that common ground to judge the best designs?

Where and When?

That is where Design LA fits in. It is an annual conference that has slowly consolidated itself as a primary event on the automobile design calendar. With seven years to its credentials, it is no wonder that all the top design studios will display their work in a bid to win the ‘Design Challenge’ at the Los Angeles Convention Centre on the 18^th of November 2010.

The Rules:

‘To envision an efficient, light-weight, four passenger vehicle (not to exceed 1,000 lbs.), that is both comfortable and safe, while delivering satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the styling consumers demand’.

The Participants:

For the first time in its short but elaborate history, the competition takes on an international dimension. Design houses from Germany and Japan will join leading American studios.  Prestigious names like Maybach, Honda, Mercedes Benz, GM and a few more are all in the mix!

The ones to look out for!

The designs are seriously futuristic and can almost be an eye sore if you are resistant to new ideas and change. Take the latest bat-mobile from the Dark Knight and multiply the vivacity by ten. While the hit motion picture presented an automobile with no regard for weight (and fuel consumption for that matter!) the designs at Design LA will flaunt feather-light designs that look like they might just take off.

My picks are the Mazda MX-0 ( 6th image ) and the Volvo Air Motion ( last image ). They incorporate revolutionary technology (but unfortunately Volvo used the word ‘imagine’ in the description) with extensive use of carbon fibre and other revolutionary lightweight materials to stay under the 1000 lb. limit. The Mazda hugs the floor with a design that aims to offer instant cornering and unparalleled acceleration powered by high-torque electric motors. The encouraging part about the MX-0 is Mazda’s desire to have the vehicle in production by 2020. The Volvo Air Motion in contrast sits a little higher with a clam shaped body that is reminiscent of an F1 car from the 1960’s but with modern flair. Compressed air motors replace the combustion engine and by contrast cool down when under greater load! The design is the epitome of Scandinavian design offering in their words ‘a guilt-free, raw driving experience’.

The competition for these two is stiff and they are by no means frontrunners; just my pick of the day. Each design has revolutionary technology on offer and designs that are distinctive enough to tattoo an image in your memory. Be sure to check out the website to get the raw details on these creatures that are a new species in automobile design.