GM’s Advanced Design Team walked out of this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge with their third win in five years, and with Cadillac’s unique blend of art and science we can see why. Their Aera Concept was created to conform to the challenge’s strict 1,000lb weight limit, while still hauling four passengers in 2+2 style. Powered by a highly efficient ‘Pneumatic Drive System’ (yes, air), the Aera makes use of pressurized air cells on the exterior skin for passive safety and ultralight polymers for the skin and interior parts. The body of the vehicle is amazing; it utilizes a 3-D lattice similar to those found in nature, whereby all body parts are grown into a single part lattice structure. Design Challenges may never hit the streets, but it’s great to see the best and brightest minds in the industry coming up with truly unique ideas that may benefit us in the not-so-distant future.
Source: Netcarshow
