Design Los Angeles asks how motor-racing will look in 2025

Volkswagen Bio Runner - Volkswagen/Audi Design Center California

Another favorite in the Gizmag office, the Volkswagen Bio Runner would see a “One Tank Unlimited Solo Class” introduced into the Baja 1000 rally in 17 years time. The rules would be simple - one driver and one 10-gallon tank of fuel per competitor. Powered by dual-turbine engines running on bio-synthetic jet fuel, the Bio Runner has the enclosed rider seated in an motorcycle position from which the independent "synthetic muscle-based suspension" can be operated. There are no windows, with the driver instead relying on 360-degree panoramic screen and camera system to navigate the desert sands. The designers have also included a Reconnaissance Drone in the package that would assist in repairs or rescue and supplement the video feed to the driver in low-visibility scenarios.

(Design Team: Derek Jenkins, Patrick Faulwetter, Ian Hilton)

Now in its fifth year, the annual LA Auto Show Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference to be held on November 20. The 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show runs from November 21-30.

Check out the gallery for more pics of all the entries.

Noel McKeegan

Source: LA Auto Show.