Every year during the LA Auto Show a contest is held for transportation design students and other artists to create a future concept around a given theme. Usually its something boring like “urban living” or “mobile entertainment.” This year its finally getting exciting as this time around the theme is racing. The task for the contestants is to design cars for the 2025 race season. So far my favorite is from the Audi of America Design center. They’re concept dubbed the “Audi R25″ is a LeMan’s inspired work and it looks fresh! It reminds me of Ridge Racer from back in the day. If you want to see the rest of the entrant’s design pieces then check out the LA Auto Show later this month.
Press Release:
LOS ANGELES - Oct. 20, 2008 - Today’s race cars have ground-breaking technology to improve speed, power, performance and safety but what a difference 17 years into the future can make. Imagine race cars that go beyond the expectations and challenges of racing today, such as never needing to stop for re-fueling or collision avoidance assistance technology for enhanced safety.
Nine of Southern California’s automotive design studios did just that, predicting how auto racing will change by the year 2025. The designs are part of the fifth annual Los Angeles Auto Show’s Design Challenge, where studios including Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen are pitted against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design.
“Automotive designers have always been fascinated with Motor Sports and this year’s Design Challenge has provided them with the opportunity to use their creative talent to look at these cars with new eyes, using innovative technologies and approaches,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “This adds to the excitement, interest and personal involvement in the sport that has thrilled people of all ages for many years…and many more years to come.”
Entries in this year’s Motor Sports 2025 Design Challenge include:
Audi of America Design Center California: The Audi R25 incorporates innovative features such as high-velocity banks and tunnels, which allow cars to race “inverted” and the opportunity to pass anywhere with aerodynamic racecars.
BMW Group DesignworksUSA: The BMW Hydrogen Powered Salt Flat Racer reuses existing, ordinary and mundane materials such as old oil barrels and BBQ lids to whimsical and sustainable by employing goldfish as “co-pilots” to ensure that the vehicle is running clean emissions.
General Motors Advanced Design: The GM Chaparral Volt collects and generates its own energy from three different clean, renewable and abundant California resources: Earth, Wind and Fire to create an entirely new category of racing - the eco-triathlon.
Honda Research and Development, North America: The Great Race 2025’s sonar/echolocation sensors are able to detect changes in speed, terrain, and altitude, allowing it to switch to any configuration to circumnavigate the globe in 24 hours on land through the U.S., by sea through Asia and by air over Europe.
Mazda R&D of North America: The MAZDA KAAN is an electric race car that has a patented electronic tire system to reach 250 mph with no harmful emissions. The vehicles are piloted by individual drivers but teams are made up of thirty cars, all on the track together.
Mitsubishi Research & Design of North America: The MMR25’s multi-terrain, omnidirectional wheels consist of eight independently-controlled motors, allowing for “8 x 4″ wheel drive so that the car can be driven forward while pointing in any direction.
Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America: Luxury racing arrives in the Formula Zero Racer by incorporating the thrill of Formula One, the track dynamics of the bobsled or luge, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.
Toyota’s Calty Design Research: The Toyota Le Mans Racer is the ultimate race car that never needs to stop. Powered by highly efficient hydrogen fuel cell electric motors, each of its body panels is embedded with photovoltaic panels to supply electricity when extra energy is needed.
Volkswagen of America Design Center: In the Bio Runner, the rider is positioned inside a protective cage on a motorcycle-like saddle with controls attached to the hands and feet. These controls manipulate all wheels via synthetic muscle-based suspension which offers unparalleled control and traction.
Entries will be judged by Tom Matano of San Francisco’s Academy of Art University, Imre Molner of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and Stewart Reed of Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design. Daniel Simon, an established car designer and founder of Cosmic Motors, is the special guest judge this year. Simon began his design career at Volkswagen and recently published his first book: Cosmic Motors-Spaceships, Cars and Pilots of Another Galaxy.
The winning design will be announced at the Design Los Angeles conference Nov. 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
About the Design Challenge
The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Entering its fifth year, Design Los Angeles provides designers with leading design speakers and the opportunity to address common issues. More than 500 designers attended last year’s event.
In a hard fought season between Robert Kubica, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, and Lewis Hamilton a conclusion was finally reached over the weekend in Brazil. As Formula 1 2008 came to a close Kubica and Raikkonen were mathmatically out of the championship chase and it came down to Felipe and Lewis.
As the points stood Lewis only needed to net a 5th place finish to lock out Felipe and secure the title. However it looked as if the Vodafone McLaren team over compensated by litterally setting up the car and their strategy as a 5th place contender. The plan worked out for most of the race however towards the end it began to fail as Red Bull bad-ass Sebastien Vettel snatched 5th place away from Lewis during the last 3 laps while Massa was in first place.
Due to extremely worn and graining tires combined with a wet track Lewis struggled to take 5th back from the blazing fast German but was fading fast. Salvation came for Lewis in the last lap when Toyota driver Timo Glock fell back from 4th place also due to worn tires which allowed both Vettel and Hamilton to blow by. This controversial occurance placed the Brit back into 5th place thus securing his championship crown as he crossed the line.
I couldn’t help but hurt for Massa as he and his team were litterally informed at the last possible moment that they had not won the championship. Cameras captured the very moment when Felipe’s father was jumping up and down cheering then the imediate drain of joy from his face and the other red coats as they were told the unfortunate news that Lewis swooped the title away.
I also couldn’t help but get a tad emotional as I saw Lewis take the title and celebrate with his team, family, and friends. A while back it had been a dream of mine to be the first African American in Formula 1 and to win the title. Obviously that isn’t going to happen now and even though the media has generally tried to keep the issue of race out of the amazing story that is Lewis Hamilton I can’t help but feel proud that history was made. If I couldn’t do it I’m happy that Lewis could. Congrats!
I don’t have a ‘86 corolla but if I did I gurantee you this wheel would be among the three sets I alternated on! The MA86 is another set from Weds Sport and its absolutely sick! Seven spoke wheels do not fail!
In what was shaping up to be a whirlwind weekend for Formula Drift actually turned out to be somewhat anti-climatic. Goinginto Irwindale there were 4 drivers mathmatically alive for the series title with Tanner sitting on top of the points and Sam Hubinette was just behind him with Rhys Millen following closely in third. The situation was smilar to last year when Tanner was locked in a tight points battle between Chris Forsberg and Dai Yoshihara.
With things so tight in the standings and Dai still having an outside shot the fans were expecting some tooth and nail battles when it came time for the top 16. The key word in that last sentence was “expecting”, what the fans actually got was an elimination of points contenders and teammates Rhys Millen and Dai Yoshihara in the top 16 due to what I’d say were questionable calls by the judges.
Fans were shocked again when they saw two-time champ Sam Hubinette basically take himself out of contention by making a highly uncharacteristic spin against Takatori in the Great 8. Sam’s stumble automatically handed the series title to Tanner Foust. Once that happend a handfull of fans picked up and left since they knew it wouldn’t come down to the wire like 2007.
However most of us stayed behind to watch how the rest of this round would play out. Especially since Drift Alliance member Justin Thomas Pawlakwas on fire and taking names all night as he brought down Taka Aono and Robbie Nishida to move onto the final four where he fell to Tanner Foust.
When all the tandem dust settled it came down to Tanner and JR Gitten (Gitten defeated Bill Sherman, Miki Ryuji, and Takatori to make it to the final two) for top spot on the podium for the last round. Although Tanner probably still hugely excited from his championship was just slightly off point and he fell to Gitten who won his first round of Formula D competition all season.
Congrats to Tanner and to JR! Also I want to personally give a big thanks to Formula D and the staff for bringing another year of action, fun, controversy, and another motorsport to follow all year!
Oh, and one more thing…don’t be too bummed out about the season being over yet. There is a HUGE drift event coming up just next month on the docks of Long Beach remember? Don’t forget to mark your calandars for the Red Bull World Drifting Championship.
Check it out. Heres some video I shot yesterday of the Formula D practice session. I’ll try to get some more video and pictures from tomorrow and have them up! I’m loving the way Hiro Sumida’s Lexus IS350 drift car looks!
You have no excuse for saying in and playing Halo 3 this weekend. There is just WAY too much going on. First of all tomorrow over at Irwindale is the final round of the 2008 Formula D season. It’s certain going to get dicey as there are technically at least 4 men still alive for the series title. Right now Tanner is leading the points but two time champ Sam Hubinette and former champ Rhys Millen are not far behind. Also while unlikely, Dai Yoshihara also has an outside chance should something catostrophic happen to the top three. Saturday is going to get really intense!
Naturally after such a crazy Saturday night you’ll want to chill out on Sunday right? In that case you should grab a few friends and cruise over to Irvine for the 4th Annual Japanese Classic Car Show. This event is the Mecca of old school JDM rides. And when I say “old school” I really mean it! A 1986 Toyota corolla will be “modern” compared to some of the classics you’ll see parked in the grass. It will definately be a great way to spend a Sunday. Check out the thumbnail below for the flyer.
There I’ve officially let you guys know whats going on. if your friends clown you on Monday because you missed out you can’t hold us responsible! Have a great weekend!
I’ve always been a big fan of small automotive based fashion brands that take car culture and mix it in with pop culture. Check out Trendy Treadz. They have a number of fashion tees that does just this. My favorite is this Hachi Roku “Corolla” shirt that borrows the look and feel from one of the worlds most favorite colas.
Say hello to our first SEMA project car since the launch of MotorworldHype. We were one of four groups selected by Lexus to add our unique touch to their hooligan in a business suit, the IS F.
For those who don’t know the IS F is Lexus challenging its own image by creating a sports car wrapped in a luxury sedan. It’s outward differences are somewhat subtle compared to the IS250 and IS350 but don’t be fooled. There is a WORLD of difference under the hood. Most notably the 415HP naturally asperated, 8 speed paddle shifted V8. The IS F also sports a track tuned suspension and Brembo brakes that could stop the Earth’s rotation.
So how are we going to take a car like that and make it better? Well we invite you to follow our build on our CarDomain.com Page to find out. We’ll be updating the progress there as well as here in the coming weeks.
Below is a rough rendering (empahasis on the “rough”…I suck at photoshop) of what the car might look like when it’s done but don’t hold us to it too much. With people as indecisive as myself and RJ on this build you’re bound to see some changes.
MotorworldHype IS-GT
Project Philosophy and Notes
The goal behind the MotorworldHype Lexus ISF-GT concept was to evolve the already potent performance potential of the Lexus IS-F to make it an even more track ready street machine. Our goal was to prepare a concept that would still be easily drivable on a day-to-day basis yet more potent and more apt for track day excursions at racecourses like Fuji Speedway, Laguna Seca, or the Nurburgring.
The ISF-GT concept is designed for the individual who not only enjoys his performance car on the streets and byways of the city but also on the paved racecourses of tracks around the globe. This concept is meant for the motoring enthusiast and track affectionado.
The IS-F is a visually stunning piece of automotive art with a more than ample amount of performance to back up its looks. However our team feels felt that there was another level attainable for the IS-F, a level that a select few would want to attain. Many aspirational automotive brands have special editions for their flag ship models: Ferrari has the F430 Scuderia, Porsche has the GT3 RS, and Mercedes the CLK63 Black Series. All of the aforementioned cars were built for the discriminating enthusiast who wanted a rare limited edition version of the best they could get. The ISF-GT concept was designed with same philosophy.
To accomplish our goals we developed vacuum bagged carbon fiber components that increased aerodynamic efficiency with the addition of a front splitter, rear diffuser, and boot-lid trunk. To further improve handling on and off the track a full suspension package was developed by Tein to achieve a slightly stiffer chassis and also to allow for driver adjustments that would enable him to tune the car. This combination allowed for greater set-up adjustability for those track-attacking sessions. We also worked to reduce rotational mass with a lighter wheel package and looked to improve grip by widening the track with wider wheels and tires. We also bumped performance a bit with addition of a more efficient exhaust system. We looked to improve braking performance a more aggressive Brembo 6 piston front caliper and rotor set up. We feel that with these upgrades and modifications we have created a car that is still civil for the streets yet a bit more focused to hit the track.
We also strived to create a concept that would be easy to duplicate so any IS-F owner could take his Lexus and create our GT package with ease. We looked to build a vehicle with high quality goods that we would feature and highlight on our website MotorworldHype.com. It was our intention to show current and future IS-F owners that there is an easy to attain evolutionary package for their already potent IS-F that would make it even more of a track attacker. We hope to have showcased a concept that can easily be re-created that gives those owners who are more apt to take days off to hit the track something that is even more sporty, a bit faster, and more rewarding to drive on those trips to places like Laguna Seca or whatever local racecourse is close to home.
Project ISF-GT is a concept meant for that motoring enthusiast. Inspired by the Team Lexus GT2 IS race-car, Project ISF-GT is meant to compliment what the IS-F is with subtle yet functional modifications that will instantly speak to the hearts of any performance enthusiast.
Have you always been a fan of the Optima battery line but bummed that you couldn’t get one to fit your Honda or Nissan 240 SX. Well those days are over. Optima now offers a smaller battery to fit smaller vehicles especially sport compact performance rides.
OPTIMA is like no other battery in the world. The unique SpiralCell design offers the most advanced technology and provides a strong and clean power source that far surpasses any of today’s filled lead-acid batteries. With OPTIMA under your hood, you can count on a longer lasting battery life under starting and deep-cycle applications.
Since today’s power demand from cars, trucks, and SUVs are greater than ever, it’s even more important to install a power source you can count on. Over the course of history we have upgraded and customized our vehicles in such a way never imagined by early engineers. We continue to add more lights, LCD screens, gaming systems, stereos, laptops, cell phones and a bunch of other accessories into our vehicles. All of these electronics demand a better, more powerful battery.
OPTIMA batteries even has safety in mind - with its completely sealed case it helps to ensure the safety of you, your family and the environment. The long list of benefits including 2x longer-life, leak-proof, vibration resistance, multi-position installation, longer shelf-life and higher reserve capacity make OPTIMA batteries the choice of millions.
I’m starting to really fall in love with these high end lug nuts. Here is another great set from Project Kics! Available for most Japanese cars. They should also make these for Euros and Exotics!
Introducing the latest in lug nut technology from Kics Project of Japan! Endorsed by Japanese race teams, these seven sided heptagonal lug nuts come in a complete set of 20 lugs along with a key. The unique feature of this patent pending lug nut is that each lug consist of 2 peices, where the top of the lugs spin freely from the tapered centering ring. This ensures a much tighter and precise hold than traditional lug nuts. It also minimizes the chances of scratching your wheels. Made of lightweight composite materials, these open ended lugs fit on both standard studs as well as extended studs. The entire set weighs just under 2 lbs! Highly recommended for both street and track enthusiasts.
The new NEO CHRONO version is created with a Cold-Forged SCM-435 material and features the following:
- Attached rotating taper-seat made with A70705-T6 aluminum and ultra-hard alumite finish ensuring best contact
- Super lightweight
- External drive by popular 17mm hex for easy install
- Full stud engagement and can accomodate extended studs
- Reliable and stronger than aluminum racing lug nuts
- Set includes 16 lug nuts and 4 locking lugs (to prevent theft)
- Japan patented and USA patent pending
M12 x 1.5mm application: Fits Hondas, Acuras, and most Toyotas, etc.
M12 x 1.25mm application: Fits Subarus, Nissans, etc.
NOTE: LUG NUTS ARE MADE WITH TAPERED BOTTOMS SPECIFICALLY FOR AFTERMARKET WHEELS. DO NOT USE THESE TUNER LUGS FOR YOUR FACTORY WHEELS. WE NO LONGER ACCEPT RETURNS ON LUG NUTS FROM CUSTOMERS WHO ATTEMPT TO USE THEM ON FACTORY WHEELS. THESE LUGS ALSO DO NOT FIT ON SPECIAL WHEELS THAT REQUIRE INVERTED LUGS. WE WILL ALSO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS FROM CUSTOMERS THAT TRY TO USE THEM FOR THESE TYPES OF WHEELS.
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