LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz shows off Biome concept for LA Design Challenge

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When it comes to car shows, LA Auto Show almost has got it all! It will be very interesting to find out the entries at the Los Angeles Design Challenge how auto designers partnered with car makers envision the future of cars. Light weight car design is the theme which is a 1,000 pound car (just half a ton) to be designed. Entries from Mercedes-Benz will be designs coming from three different countries namely: Germany, Japan and the U.S.

One design which should catch attention is a full-scale model for the
design coming from Carlsbad, Ca., U.S. The Biome Concept would be
something like a ‘fantasy car’ because it will source power from the sun
in combination with an imaginary liquid chemical BioNectar4534. This is
one concept car that might find its way into science fiction movies.
Relatively lighter at 875 pounds than the 1,000 pound design theme but
much wider in size, and said to be as tall as the Vector, and, a shade
shorter than the CL. Its looks alone are very futuristic and many will
imagine they would have seen it in some movie!

Germany designers will not take a backseat with their Smart
Weight-Watch, mighty compact dune buggy as they have termed (it really
looks like one) but would weigh 1,000 pounds. Powering the vehicle will
be a lithium-ion battery for two 15 kW motors. The construction of the
concept car will be from recyclable plastic and cloth panels that are
removable, carbon fiber and, yes, carbon fiber tires.

The design team from Japan has come up with the concept of a Maybach
eRikscha that would have a four passenger capacity with only two wheels!
Nothing much has been mentioned about it but definitely the M-Benz
Japan design will have something up their sleeves, come the LA Auto
Show.

Source: Autoblog