The design teams taking part in the LA Auto Show's Design Challenge: Motorsports 2025 weren't just creating cool looking future cars, they also cranked out some pretty great science fiction. Take the Honda Great Racer we showed you, for instance, or the winner of the Design Challenge, the Mazda Kaan.

Just like the other vehicles, the Volkswagen Bio Runner has its own quirks and backstory. It takes part of a race in the future where vehicles are only allowed one tank of gas, so engineering with a mind for speed and sustainability are paramount. It also handles a bit like a motorcycle:

In the Bio Runner, the rider is positioned inside a protective cage on a motorcycle-like saddle with controls attached to the hands and feet. These controls manipulate all wheels via synthetic muscle-based suspension which offers unparalleled control and traction… this system allows the rider to lean into turns as well as shift the center of gravity by changing the position of the wheels in relation to the cab.

From the LA Auto Show:

The Baja 1000 now introduces the "One Tank Unlimited Solo Class." The only stipulations are one driver and one 10-gallon tank of fuel, forcing competitors to use every bit of technology, strategy, and wit to finish.

In the Bio Runner, the rider is positioned inside a protective cage on a motorcycle-like saddle with controls attached to the hands and feet. These controls manipulate all wheels via synthetic muscle-based suspension which offers unparalleled control and traction.

Much like a motorcycle this system allows the rider to lean into turns as well as shift the center of gravity by changing the position of the wheels
in relation to the cab. This system offers an unparalleled degree of control and traction which ultimately results in much higher speed runs.

The vehicle is powered by dual-turbine engines that run at an ultra-efficient 500,000 rpm and operate on a patented bio-synthetic jet fuel.

The vehicle also boasts an Arial Reconnaissance Drone (AR-D) which feeds video to the driver when visibility is limited.

The Support Team Chopper transports, follows and in the event of a crash, swoops down to perform repairs. It also contains telemetry analysis software, which in the case of emergency, takes over piloting to avoid danger unseen by the driver.

Via LA Auto Show