LOS ANGELES — The Hummer O2, an environmentally friendly vehicle with algae-filled body panels that transform harmful CO2 into pure oxygen, took home the top prize on Thursday in the Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge.
The two-dimensional rendering of a 2015 blue-sky concept is the brainchild of GM Advanced Design. Contestants were charged with creating a vehicle that addresses environmental sustainability.
"The Hummer O2 epitomizes that ethos of the true Southern California outdoors enthusiast with rugged capability, a 'tread lightly' contact system and construction methods promoting safety, accessibility and reusability," said Frank Saucedo, director of GM Advanced Design in California. "Most vehicles in L.A. spend 95 percent of their time outdoors subjected to sunlight, so why couldn't a vehicle give back?"
The Hummer O2 is powered by four modular fuel cells that run hydraulic motors built into each wheel. A hydrogen tank is placed in the center of the vehicle for safety and structural purposes. The concept features a phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle. Shape-shifting Active Tread TM tires provide low resistance on the highway and can also handle off-road challenges. To reduce its environmental impact, the Hummer O2 is made of 100 percent post-consumer materials, including an aluminum frame and seats finished with Volatile Organic Components-free materials.
This is the second win in a row for GM Advanced Design. The group won the 2005 Design Competition with its GMC PAD Concept, a mobile urban loft designed for the L.A. environment.
Other entries in the '06 competition included the Kia Sandstorm, a biodiesel electric plug-in hybrid with built-in detachable recycling bins and a solar-powered cooling feature, and the Mini BioMoke, which has a body that composts itself after five years to promote tree growth and clean air.
The two-dimensional renderings in the contest were judged by a panel that included Stewart Reed of Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, Tom Matano of San Francisco's Academy of Art College, Bill Van Amburg of Calstart and Imre Molner of Detroit's College for Creative Studies.
What this means to you: Your future Hummer may be embraced by tree huggers.
The two-dimensional rendering of a 2015 blue-sky concept is the brainchild of GM Advanced Design. Contestants were charged with creating a vehicle that addresses environmental sustainability.
"The Hummer O2 epitomizes that ethos of the true Southern California outdoors enthusiast with rugged capability, a 'tread lightly' contact system and construction methods promoting safety, accessibility and reusability," said Frank Saucedo, director of GM Advanced Design in California. "Most vehicles in L.A. spend 95 percent of their time outdoors subjected to sunlight, so why couldn't a vehicle give back?"
The Hummer O2 is powered by four modular fuel cells that run hydraulic motors built into each wheel. A hydrogen tank is placed in the center of the vehicle for safety and structural purposes. The concept features a phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle. Shape-shifting Active Tread TM tires provide low resistance on the highway and can also handle off-road challenges. To reduce its environmental impact, the Hummer O2 is made of 100 percent post-consumer materials, including an aluminum frame and seats finished with Volatile Organic Components-free materials.
This is the second win in a row for GM Advanced Design. The group won the 2005 Design Competition with its GMC PAD Concept, a mobile urban loft designed for the L.A. environment.
Other entries in the '06 competition included the Kia Sandstorm, a biodiesel electric plug-in hybrid with built-in detachable recycling bins and a solar-powered cooling feature, and the Mini BioMoke, which has a body that composts itself after five years to promote tree growth and clean air.
The two-dimensional renderings in the contest were judged by a panel that included Stewart Reed of Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, Tom Matano of San Francisco's Academy of Art College, Bill Van Amburg of Calstart and Imre Molner of Detroit's College for Creative Studies.
What this means to you: Your future Hummer may be embraced by tree huggers.
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