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LA Design Challenge invokes biology for 2025 concepts [w/poll]

Participants in the annual LA Design Challenge always manage to come up with edgy, wacky designs for future vehicles, but with a theme of "Biomimicry and Mobility: 2025" this year's crop of cars might be the quirkiest we've ever seen. As usual, automotive designers from around the world participated in this year's competition, and all the designs will all be unveiled next week during the LA Auto Show with a winner being announced on November 21.
Chinese automakers made a strong showing with Qoros, SAIC Motor, JAC Motors (the company responsible for the Ford F-150 clone) and Changfeng all bringing interesting takes on the biology, human intelligence and sustainability theme. One of the more innovative ideas among these automakers is the Qoros Silk Road System allows autonomous vehicles to drive in packs similar to how ants travel. Speaking of ants, the SAIC Motor Mobiliant (shown above) gets its design from the shape of an ant's body, and, like the insect, it can climb building acting as a personal elevator as well. The JAC Motors design also merges vehicle and building design, while the Changfeng LaBrea inspired by the design of muscle fibers.
Other entrants include Subaru and US-based design teams for BMW, Toyota and Mazda. BMW's duo of concepts mimic plant and animal life. The LA Subways concept acts as a submersible, single-person vehicle to take advantage of the LA river, with a shape similar to an Ocean Sunfish. The Sustainable Efficient Exploratory Device (SEED) imitates the shape of a seed pod, and uses propulsion methods inspired by a shark, dragonfly and a water bug. Mazda's Auto Adapt might be the most car-like concept of the bunch, while the Subaru Suba-Roo and the Calty-designed, Toyota e-grus are the most mind-blowingly awesome.

Subaru pulls on our heartstrings with father and daughter ad

Do you remember your first car? Was it a hand-me-down from your parents? While it wasn't actually my first car, my parents gifted me a 1990 Mercury Sable as a daily driver, considering that my own chosen car, a 1965 Karmann Ghia, wasn't exactly the most reliable steed in the world. And while I predictably disliked the new-to-me family car, looking back, it was perfect – reliable, safe and, perhaps most importantly for a 17-year-old, free. If it weren't for that car, simple things like going to school, interviewing for jobs and even going to see a movie with friends would have been a massive ordeal. I eventually traded that old Mercury in on the first new car I ever bought at a dealership, with my parents' blessing and, as you might have guessed, my dad's co-signature. While I know not everyone's automotive journey began this way, I'm certain that my story is not actually mine alone. That's why this new ad from Subaru pulls at so many heartstrings – a father cleans out his old Forester, finding keepsakes and nearly-forgotten memories along the way, as he prepares to pass it on to his 16-year-old daughter. Check out the video above, and feel free to share your own hand-me-down stories in Comments. News Source: Subaru via YouTube, Adweek Marketing/Advertising Subaru Ownership Crossover Videos first car

Subaru Crosstrek Baja Racer is a glorious blue and gold liveried masterpiece

Subaru just revealed its new Baja racer, and it's the coolest one yet. The Crosstrek Desert Racer is now sporting Subaru's traditional blue and gold livery that we all know and love from the many years it was plastered on Impreza-based rally cars. It's hard not to be nostalgic on this one, and we just had to share it. This Crosstrek, which bears about zero resemblance to an actual Crosstrek, is being run in the grueling Baja 500 off-road race through the Baja California Peninsula. Crawford Performance and Grabowski Brothers Racing are running the show, hoping to improve on their second-place finish from last year. The vehicle has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated flat-four engine built to produce 300 horsepower. It's great to see Subaru continue to expand the blue and gold livery theme to more motorsports efforts. At the 2019 Detroit Auto Show we got to see the same livery on an STI rally car destined for competition. Now this beast of a Baja racer looks ready to strike fear into the hearts of its opponents just the same. The vehicle itself is rather insect-like in nature with the suspension and lights sticking out everywhere. There's still no word on whether the team will try for the big Baja 1000, or just stick to the 500 for 2019. Regardless, it looks supremely capable, and must be an absolute hoot to drive.