Filed under: MPG, LA Auto Show, Lightweight

We don't need to remind you that saving weight in vehicles is pretty much the same thing as saving fuel. The hard part, of course, is building a vehicle that comes from the factory with as little excess weight as possible while still providing all the safety features and other options that people expect in their cars today. Maybe young designers can help us figure out the best way to thread this needle.

At the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show that's happening in November, a design challenge is being delivered to design studios around the world to show off a 1,500-pound (with occupants, 1,000 pounds without), 2+2 vehicle that, in the words of the press release:
is both comfortable and secure, while delivering satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the emotional connection and beautiful styling consumers demand.The show organizers say that studios from General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Smart, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo will participate. Expect to see lightweight materials and high-tech options in vehicles that try to include, "artistic beauty, comfort, uniqueness of design, roadworthiness, sustainability, performance and user-friendliness of the vehicle." That's a tall order.

Last year's design challenge asked to see the Youthmobile vehicles of 2035. See those entries here.

[Source: LA Auto Show]

Continue reading LA 2010: Annual design challenge asks to see the 1,000 pound car

LA 2010: Annual design challenge asks to see the 1,000 pound car originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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