The LA Auto Show is once again knocking at the door, and with it comes the annual Design Challenge competition. This year the competition has extended invitations to Japanese and German design studios, in addition to all of the manufacturer-supported studios in Southern California, making it a much more global contest.

The theme for this year’s Design Challenge forces designers to envision vehicles that are at once both kind to the environment yet stylish and exciting to drive at the same time. The catch? Each vehicle concept must weigh no more than 1,000 pounds, seat four adults, be efficient and safe and provide a rewarding driving experience. Sustainable materials, highly exotic designs and a vision of the future are expected from the entrants, and they all certainly delivered.

Nine automakers in total have answered the competition’s call. General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota and Volvo have all stepped up to the plate, and the results are visually stunning. At the same time, each is though provoking because the designers have each given insight into what technology they believe will possible in the future.

Take a look at the Design Challenge entries, which we have lined up for you after the jump and in the gallery below.

[Source: LA Auto Show]

Continue reading LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts

LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 95th running of the Indianapolis 500 this May represented the 100th Anniversary of “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing.” The unbroken streak halted a total of five years during our involvement with the two World Wars. It’s hard to believe we’ve had this legendary race for that long, but the centennial was certainly deserving of recognition – and although perhaps a bit incongruous to some, it was celebrated in grand style at no less than the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. As America’s premier race, why not have America’s – and perhaps the world’s – premier classic car event host the festivities?

A large class of past Indy winners and notable contenders gathered in Pebble Beach on Sunday. Take a look at our gallery and you will see most, if not all, of the entrants – many on rare special loan from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum:

1911 Marmon “Wasp”
1920 Peugeot 3 Litre
1928 Miller “Front Drive Special”
1934 Ringling & Henning “Wonder Bread Special”
1938 Maserati 8CTF “Boyle Valve Special”
1950 Kurtis “Cummins Diesel Special”
1953 Kurtis Kraft KK 500B “Bardahl Special” B
1961 Cooper T51 “Kimberly Cooper-Climax Special”
1961 Watson “Bowes Seal Fast Special”
1965 Lotus 38 “Powered by Ford”
1972 McLaren “Sunoco Special”

Some incredible cars with the strongest of pedigrees are in there, and the best part of this class was seeing how much things have changed while some things seem to stay the same despite the era. Take a look at the gallery below and see the evolution of Indy race cars over a century.

Photos Copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Monterey 2010: A century of Indianapolis 500 entrants féted at Pebble originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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