Lexus Adds Lightness, Makes IS Sedan From Cardboard
Car companies today are constantly in search of ever lighter materials to make cars from. Weight is the enemy of performance, feel, and efficiency. In short, added weight makes everything worse, and nothing better. The only problem is that lightweight materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, magnesium, and more are all very expensive. But Lexus has just created the ultimate lightweight car, and it is built using material that is cheaper than even the most affordable steel.
Lexus made a car from cardboard.
No, really. Inspired by origami, Lexus has actually made a car from cardboard. But it is for little more than a PR stunt. The car has been created for the Grand Designs Live show happening in the U.K. Starting with a light aluminum chassis, Lexus had more than 1,700 sheets of cardboard laser cut to create an IS sedan. And I mean more than just the body. As you can see in the photos and video below, every visible piece of the car, aside from the project lams in the headlights, is built from cardboard. The body, doors, full interior, and even the brake rotors are all constructed from corrugated cardboard.
Because there is a metal skeletal structure under the cardboard, the car even has working doors. That also means that with a small electric motor, you can actually drive this thing. It won’t be fast, and certainly won’t be safe (I see no cardboard seatbelts), but it would be fun and interesting.
I really want to test it on a track to see just how much lateral grip you can create with wheels made of paper…
Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>
Via [DesignBoom]
