Related Sections: Art & Design Future Tech Galleries Vehicles
Wrath of KAAN: Mazda's sleek future car is all electric, and all attitude
The Mazda "KAAN" is an electric race car for the futuristic tracks of 2025, and part of the LA Auto Show's Motorsports 2025 Design Challenge. Like all of the crazy submissions, the KAAN has its own little back story:
In 2025, California freeways have been resurfaced with a sub-level electro-conductive polymer that powers the electric cars of the modern world… The vehicles are piloted by individual drivers but teams are made up of thirty cars, all on the track together. Using strategies similar to those in cycling peletons, the tighter the group sticks together, the more aerodynamic and powerful it becomes.
Check out the gallery below that'll have you screaming "KAAN!"
 |  |
|
LA Auto Show, via Tuvie
By DJ at 3:36 AM ON 11/06/08
Mazda, you score 11/10.
Love it.
Backstory's fun too.
By wingbatwu at 11:56 AM ON 11/06/08
Stupid design. The front wheels block part of the driver's field of view.
Unless the vehicle is not meant to turn at all (drag races?)
By zentinal at 12:15 PM ON 11/06/08
Ooh, with a little modification, they could bed the next F1 cars in a gen or 2.
By rich at 12:52 PM ON 11/07/08
So, moving single individuals at a time is the future? Neat look, but stupid. No passengers or storage is no good.
Last thought, with Americans getting fatter, by 2025 no one would even be able to sit in it.
By MilanoRed at 10:24 PM ON 11/07/08
Rich,
This is a RACE car, not a 2025 Mazda6. Current F1 cars don't have passengers or cargo space, as I recall.
By yamahog at 12:00 AM ON 11/09/08
Hey with a few mods I think it could become a real sweet trikefor the street, drop in a big ass thumping V Twin, or a nice fast crotch rocket engine, and add some ground clearance.
By sparrrownightmare at 1:06 PM ON 11/10/08
It looks cool. But the major problem I see is that it only appears to have about an inch of ground clearance. It would work otherwise. They should try and design it to use a direct electromagnetic system. Basically turn the wheel into a big electric motor. Similar to what they use on Mag Lev trains and roller coasters.A series of magnets in the wheel hub creates magnetic fields which repel against permanent magnets in the outer rims and rotates them. This would have less points of energy transfer and so less points of energy loss. Much more effecient than the standard electrical motor systems used now, and less moving parts to break down.
By Spectorofdoom at 2:59 AM ON 11/13/08
The one big problem with electric cars is generating the kind of power that is required to move the vehicle at its perscribed speeds. At least, untill we develope suitcase sise fusion reactor.
By Dragonflight at 3:02 AM ON 11/13/08
I've got just two, very important questions.
1) Does it transform into a power suit?
2) Does it come in black?
LOL!
By Brother Bill at 7:00 AM ON 11/18/08
Exciting and Very interesting - need more information(specs) Oh, and yes there might have to be a few modifications-to us(lose some weight) and maybe a cold fusion power plant for it
By shadow warrior at 2:57 PM ON 12/15/08
like to have that car now.
By son at 4:37 AM ON 02/05/09
i love this car...
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
son:
i love this car......More »