LA Auto Show Design Challenge entrants reveal 1,000-pound car concepts

The LA Auto Show is once again knocking at the door, and with it comes the annual Design Challenge competition. This year the competition has extended invitations to Japanese and German design studios, in addition to all of the manufacturer-supported studios in Southern California, making it a much more global contest.

The theme for this year's Design Challenge forces designers to envision vehicles that are at once both kind to the environment yet stylish and exciting to drive at the same time. The catch? Each vehicle concept must weigh no more than 1,000 pounds, seat four adults, be efficient and safe and provide a rewarding driving experience. Sustainable materials, highly exotic designs and a vision of the future are expected from the entrants, and they all certainly delivered.

Nine automakers in total have answered the competition's call. General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota and Volvo have all stepped up to the plate, and the results are visually stunning. At the same time, each is though provoking because the designers have each given insight into what technology they believe will possible in the future.

Take a look at the Design Challenge entries, which we have lined up for you after the jump and in the gallery below.