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Local Motors Launches Design Challenge to Support Exploratory Sports Car Platform Development Project


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PHOENIX -- August 7, 2014: Local Motors, Inc. announced the launch of a new vehicle design challenge for one of its most popular projects, the Track/Street Car Platform Project. This exploratory development project is designed to engage sports coupe and racing fans in the design of a new vehicle platform. The challenge, launched on July 27, 2014, will run through August 28, 2014. More than $10,000 in prize money will be awarded when the winners are announced on September 18, 2014.

“This track car project is exciting for so many reasons”

Since its founding, Local Motors has empowered a global community of designers, engineers, automotive enthusiasts and makers to deliver locally relevant vehicle innovations faster and more affordably than traditional vehicle manufacturers. The Local Motors Sports Car Platform Design Challenge represents two exciting opportunities to further this commitment to vehicle innovations.

First, it is an opportunity to uncover a new vehicle platform that could be a high-performance, street-legal track car, and a full-featured sport coupe that reaches the market in less than two years. Second, it is an ideal vehicle to investigate the implementation of some of the other cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing techniques Local Motors is working with.

“This track car project is exciting for so many reasons,” said Jay Rogers, CEO of Local Motors. “I founded Local Motors to give everyday inventors a platform to share their ideas for new vehicle innovations, to grow them through collaboration with our internal team and experts from all around the globe, and to see them come to life in a completely unique and different way from traditional manufacturing. The Rally Fighter, the Cruiser motorized bicycles, the Racer motorcycle, and the new Verrado gravity and electric drift trikes were all developed this way. They were all Born Different. This project – although still in the very early, exploratory stages – could result the next Local Motors vehicle born through our industry-changing co-creation and micro-manufacturing process.”

Inspiration

Designed to focus on achieving unparalleled performance, a refined aesthetic and an affordable price, this specific challenge will focus on uncovering a conceptual design for a stripped-down track car version of a sports coupe. The winning concept for the two-seater track car will be simple, allowing the driver to focus on the act of driving.

Deliverables

In order to enter the challenge, designers will be required to submit 2D or 3D concept art that includes a side profile view as well as both three-quarter front and three-quarter rear views of the full vehicle, as well as a four-view package board. Optional submissions showing an interior concept and the car in full race kit are encouraged, but not required.

Complete guidelines, submission details and a comprehensive ignition kit are available on the Challenge Page.

Prizes

In total, more than $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the top three design concepts. The first place winner, selected by a panel of Local Motors judges and informed by the voting members of the Local Motors Community, will receive $7,500 for providing the conceptual guide for defining what the track car could look like. Winning concepts for both second and third place will be decided exclusively by community vote and the designers will receive $2,500 and $1,500, respectively.