The theme for the 2008 design challenge was posed in the form of a question, namely: “How will auto racing look in the year 2025?” The resulting entries were amazing, but none quite as impressive as the Mazda entry. The team created a super-skinny, super-slick, three-wheeled vehicle that uses a patented electronic tire system to power it. The system makes use of an electro-conductive road surface from which the tires draw their energy. The concept is not new and has already been proposed for commercial roads as part of the Mazda Blue-Sky initiative. It is capable of enabling the vehicle to achieve speeds of up to 250 mph with absolutely no harmful emissions. Environmentally-friendly, fast and innovative – this is exactly the sort of thing that judges were looking for.

The Environmentally-friendly Mazda Kann definitely takes auto racing to a whole new level. Not only does it propose an entirely new way for a vehicle to be supplied by efficient power, but it also looked into the way that motor racing is typically done. The Mazda Kann team suggested that the sport could possibly change with up to thirty team members racing at the same time instead of just having one or two individuals. The idea is that the team could work together, using certain formations to give them an aerodynamic advantage and increase their speed.

The LA Auto Show Design Challenge saw a number of excellent entries from big auto manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz, Toyota, GM, Honda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Audi. However in the end it was the Mazda concept that won the 2008 design challenge. According to the director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy Inc., Chuck Pelly, “The scope of entries this year was very impressive and in the end it came down to which team had the most innovative and artistic design that could go beyond the expectations and challenges of racing today. Mazda’s designers created an optimistic vision of 2025 and ultimately brought unique styling back to motor sports.” When one looks at the finished design, it is easy to see why the Mazda R&D team was the final winner.

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The impressive Touareg V6 TDI clean diesel was the talk of the show with its 3.0 L, turbocharged, six-cylinder engine. The engine is capable of producing407 lbs-ft of torque and 221 horsepower. It combines technology with more conventional systems, making use of the most advanced catalytic convert system on the planet, as well as ordinary rail injection. In designing the vehicle, developers worked hard to ensure that it met the very strict emission requirements enforced by the state of California, making it a viable option for all 50 states.

The new Touareg V6 TDI is part of Volkswagen’s commitment to developing clean diesel technology and it sets a new standard for SUVs by making them extremely economical and ensuring that they have lower emission rates than previous SUVs. It appears that there is a general feeling that diesel is one of the most sensible alternative fuels available and using clean diesel technology can greatly reduce the impact that vehicles have on the environment. The innovative developments put into practice in the new Touareg V6 TDI also help to reduce fuel costs quite drastically. In fact, the engine is seen as being one of the most advanced diesel engines of our times. The fuel tank of the Touareg V6 TDI has a 26.4 gallon capacity and drivers will find that they can get about 600 miles to a tank!

The race version of the vehicle revealed at the show, the Race Touareg TDI Trophy Truck, will be taking part in the 41st Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 desert race. It will be racing in the SCORE Trophy Truck class, where its 5.5 liter V-12 clean diesel engine and incredible fuel economy will no doubt prove to be of benefit.

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