LA Auto Show Design Challenge entries unveiled

The 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge entries have been revealed a few days before the show is set to open. As in previous years, several of the major players in the automotive design world are participating and automakers and design studios such as BMW DesignworksUSA, Subaru, Mazda, and China's SAIC and Changfeng will be exhibiting concept art.

The theme of this year's design challenge is called "Biomimicry & Mobility 2025: Nature's Answer to Human Challenges.” With nature coming to be seen as one of the best R&D labs for design, and with biological knowledge doubling every five years, design studios were challenged to design vehicles that use biomimicry to increase the efficiency of mobility itself. Last year's theme was a little more straightforward: Highway Patrol vehicles in the year 2025 with Subaru's SHARC taking the top prize.

The theme for this year's design challenge was chosen by the DesignLA Board of Directors, composed of about a dozen design studio executives. The winning entry is expected to identify issues facing mobility like congestion, pollution, sustainability, flexibility and safety. The winning entry is expected to present a mobility solution that mimics nature in solving these issues. The entries will be judged using the following factors: creative adaptation of nature's laws (including both plants and animals), application of human intelligence to biomimicry in unique ways to improve the efficiency of future vehicles, vehicle comfort and aesthetics, sustainability over a vehicle's entire life cycle and the personality of the vehicle in relationship to the brand.

Browse though the gallery above to see the entries for this year.

About the LA Auto Show

The Los Angeles Auto Show has long served as a spotlight for "green" cars, and a popular place to unveil new hybrid and electric vehicles. We'll have photos, video and complete coverage of all the manufacturer reveals and top news from this year's LA Auto Show right here, so check back often.

By Jay Ramey