Australians build a car without a car company

And it was engineered backward

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Building concept cars has become fashionable in the automotive industry, where yesterday's concept car very often becomes tomorrow's street-legal roadster.

But the Australians have built a concept car without including a car company.

The Axcess Australia was built by 130 companies and unveiled Monday to show off Australian expertise in areas from leather, electronics and solar cells to energy-efficient, lightweight, recyclable and environmentally friendly materials.

Top of future car

The car is a fully operational, voice-controlled vehicle that was built in about three years.

It is the work of the dozens of component manufacturers who supply parts to Ford, Holden, Toyota and Mitsubishi in Australia -- and many other brands overseas.

But no automobile manufacturer was involved in the design or execution of the Axcess.

And it was engineered backward. That is, thousands of individual pieces were gathered to form a car.

The result is a muscular, compact vehicle that is at once futuristic while still driving and functioning like an ordinary car.

It has four electric doors that open like clamshells, a hatchback, four bucket seats and a glass roof with built-in solar panels.

The car uses high-tech materials including magnesium, aluminum and carbon fiber along with the voice-activated electronics.

The car will never become a production model, however, and it's probably just as well. It cost $20 million (U.S. $13.4 million) to build.

Reuters contributed to this report.

---

 

---

Sound off on our message boards & chat

© 1998 Cable News Network, Inc.
A Time Warner Company
All Rights Reserved.

Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.