Instead of using fiberglass and metal, bio-engineering and vehicular engineering design could be fused to produce a lovely, aerodynamic, iridescent car body made up of strong-but-light chitinous-like material. A carbon-fiber web-structure would form the underpinning, and guide the growth of the chitin material, which would molt and self-renew through the seasons. Dents would self-repair. A nutrient substance could be applied in place of wax, or with a sufficiently sophisticated feeding system built into the webbing, just dumped into a hopper to be distributed to the underside of the shell by capillary action.

Bonuses could include gull-wing doors that, under certain aerodynamic conditions, do that low-level buzzing that some insect wings do. Bugs which splash across the windshield and front of the car could conceivably be absorbed into the chitin system and recycled.
-- Soterios, Mar 08 2005

The Volkswagen New New Beetle.
-- bristolz, Mar 08 2005


I want the anti-road-rage Bombardier Beetle.
-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, Mar 08 2005


Just so long as it doesn't hurt anyones feelers.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Mar 08 2005


I'll be nice and avoid posting the Kaf-kar as a full out suggestion, which would replace the wheels with giant skittering articulated bug legs, which would probably make a great ATV. Not sure if Desert Fox will be able to contain himself, though.
-- Soterios, Mar 08 2005


nice title [Soterios], I often think more should be donw with the chitinous exoskeleton.
-- neilp, Mar 08 2005


In high speed police chases these new cars would fall prey to Helicopters with giant fly swatters.
-- MrDaliLlama, Mar 09 2005



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