German Car Zone

VW Concept Slipstream: 2007 LA Show Design Challenge

VW’s Californian Design Center has come up with a two-wheeled teardrop shaped vehicle for this year’s “Design Los Angeles” (see here). According to VW’s design team, the Slipstream travels in an upright orientation occupying one fifth the size of a traditional vehicle when it’s used in the city. When on a special freeway lane called the “Slipstream,” the VW’s pod tilts to a horizontal orientation thus optimizing its aerodynamic shape. Rear fins slide out to allow the rear of the vehicle to float like the tail section of an airplane to achieve speeds in excess of 250 mph. The Slipstream is powered by the energy stored in the hyper-efficient solar panels that cover the vehicle. If only it were so simple in real life...

[Source: CarScoop]

Out of this world

VW SlipStream wins 2007 L.A. Design Challenge

Posted on Thursday 15 November 2007



Volkswagen’s SlipStream design concept has taken out this year’s inaugural Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, beating out worthy rivals from seven other carmakers. According to the judges, picking a winner from this year’s field of entrants was the toughest yet in the four years the competition has been run.

Volkswagen SlipStream

The VW SlipStream is a solar powered vehicle that stands upright in the city to reduce congestion and sleeps on the freeway to reduce drag. This latter design trait also allows it to reach speeds in excess of 250mph.