LOS ANGELES — Forget about the much-hyped Chevrolet Volt. It appears that the General Motors Advanced Design studio is on to bigger and better things, judging by the Car Hero, the automaker's entry in the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show's Design Challenge. The entrants in this year's contest, from the Honda Helix to the Toyota Link, were announced on Wednesday.
Auto designers were asked to envision the "ultimate youthmobile" for the year 2030 for this year's Design Challenge.
Car Hero turns driving into gaming and "challenges the driver's skills against the car's autonomous system," according to its creators. The driver enters his or her destination into the navi app on a smart phone and then plays against the vehicle to "win" complete control over the system.
The Honda Helix incorporates human DNA with "adaptive polymers that allow changes in the car's shape, color and materials," its creators say.
The Mazda Souga is said to be "the epitome of personal branding." It's basically a design-your-own-vehicle scenario for young entrepreneurs, who are aided by a "virtual design mentor."
The Nissan V2G is an electric "eco-neutral commuter car," and the Toyota Link is a mass-transit vehicle for students that links into a transportation social network.
The Volkswagen/Audi of America Design Center California contributed the Audi eOra and eSpira to the Design Challenge. Inspired by a downhill skier, the eOra constantly adapts to the driver's movements and "intentions." The eSpira is sensitive to even the smallest body movements of the driver and "synchronizes" them with the vehicle for better agility and responsiveness.
Inside Line says: We'll take one of each. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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