You might not have noticed, but this collection of tyres happens to have a car attached - the Mitsubishi Motors MMR25, concocted by designer Jon Hull for the
LA Design Challenge. The 'omnidirectional rally concept' utilises no less than 32 tyres, with eight at each corner.
It's a shame the MMR25 doesn't preview the Evolution XI, because blowouts would be a whole lot easier to deal with, as would speed bumps and tall kerbs. The all-terrain concept can be driven forward while pointing in any direction, according to the Japanese maker, and it features 'oblique aerodynamics', which is a fancy way of saying the spoiler is in the centre and can move around pneumatically.
Also impressive is the fact that the front and rear spoilers act as suspension blades to control ride height and alter the car's stiffness. It's certainly striking, and in a bizarre way some of its features might form the basis of something useable in future... or perhaps not. But it is different, and that's what these things are all about, isn't it?
Grid Position: 5/9
Early Retirement or Podium Finish: Finishes mid-pack with 26 punctures, but drives sideways onto the podium anyway, just because it can.
Mark Nichol - 21 Oct 2008