L.A. Auto Show Design Challenge Vehicles Are Unveiled

The L.A. Auto Show Design Challenge finalists — a "green" group of concept vehicles that includes the Kia Sandstorm, Honda Extreme and Volkswagen Nanospyder — have been officially unveiled.
The winner of the competition will be announced on November 30 at the show.

Entries include the Acura FCX 2020 Le Mans, which the automaker describes as "the perfect test bed for new material development and clean energy."
The FCX 2020 Le Mans is powered by a compact hydrogen fuel cell made possible through molecular nanotechnology. "The FCX is a notion of Acura's commitment to a cleaner environment," Acura said.

Another vehicle that leans heavily on nanotechnology is the Volkswagen Nanospyder.

VW says this concept is "capable of being assembled, disassembled and reassembled on a microscopic level." Billions of tiny nanomachines, no larger than a half a millimeter in diameter, attach to one another in a large assembly tank. This futuristic vehicle is able to sense impending collisions via sensor data. The nanomachines then strengthen or weaken their connections to one another to ensure the survival of passengers.

General Motors submitted the Hummer O2, which is also powered by a fuel cell.

This Hummer "breathes" through a "revolutionary phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life span of the vehicle," the automaker said. This Hummer concept has algae-filled body panels that transform harmful CO2 into pure oxygen that is released back into the environment.

The Mini BioMoke features customizable body panels, alternative fuel powertrains and the reuse of mechanical components from previous vehicles.

The BioMoke's body is made from a single sheet of biodegradable sandwich paneling impregnated with palm tree seeds. As the BioMoke ends its five-year life cycle, the body "composts to promote tree growth and clean the air," BMW Group Designworks USA said.

The Kia Sandstorm is a biodiesel electric plug-in hybrid with built-in detachable recycling bins and a solar-powered cooling feature.

The Toyota RLV, or renewable lifestyle vehicle, is a two-seat tandem vehicle with a collapsible track system and a split powertrain solution that "identified with L.A.'s most used speeds — 5 or 75 mph," Toyota said. It also features a telescopic axle that widens the track for more stability.

Other entries are the Audi Dynamic Space Frame and the Mercedes-Benz RECY, which uses wood, alloys, glass and rubber to create "the ultimate recyclable California roadster of the future."

The two-dimensional renderings will be judged on creative concept, contribution to the environment, degree of safety and "reflection of a unique, spirited Southern California 'green' lifestyle." Judges are Bill Van Amburg of Calstart, Tom Matano of San Francisco's Academy of Art, Imre Molner of Detroit's College for Creative Studies and Stewart Reed of Pasadena's Art Center College of Design.

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