Phoenix: Concept vehicle for a brave new world

19:33 July 22, 2009 PDT

The Phoenix concept car was a stunning entrant in the 2009 Michelin Challenge Design

Image Gallery (8 images)

The Phoenix was just one of the entries in the 2009 Michelin Challenge Design, an annual competition that encourages vehicle designers to push the boundaries and think outside the square – especially where the rubber hits the road.

The Phoenix concept car features an orbital omni-directional four-wheel-drive system which allows for several types of motion - apart from moving forwards and backwards, it can rotate around its own axis and move sideways.

The Michelin Challenge Design, now in its ninth year, has a different theme each year. The 2009 theme was ‘Brave + Bold - America’s Next Iconic Vehicle’.

The Phoenix’s designers say the concept car was inspired by a combination of the American muscle car and the American’s favorite vehicle: the pick-up truck. Despite this, the concept would aim for some level of environmentally friendliness, being powered by a mid-mounted flexi-fuel V8 engine.

The two-seater design also features body panels made from bio-composite materials that are easily recycled and roll bars and a safety cell constructed from reinforced bio-polymers.

2010 Michelin Challenge

The 2010 theme for the competition is Electrifying! Beautiful, Innovative and Radiant and judging takes place at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit Motor Show) in January 10-24, 2010.

Previous Michelin Challenge Design themes have included: Italian (2002); French (2003); Cars for the Emerging Chinese market (2004); German (2005); California (2006), Road Safety for Everyone (2007), Smaller, Safer, Better

(2008).

Those wishing to take part in the 2010 challenge must create concepts that could dramatically improve energy efficiency, minimize environmental impact and satisfy consumer demand for an attractive and usable vehicle design.

A jury of transportation industry professionals will review the work and decide on the winning designs, with additional consideration will be given to entries that include a separate rendering of the tire and wheel component assembly.