3D-printed, fabric-covered sports car set for Geneva

A company called EDAG Engineering has built a lightweight sports car concept called the Light Cocoon, which is wrapped in a fabric membrane around a skeletal structure produced using 3D printing technology.

The German outfit, which is also involved in aerospace engineering, says the inspiration for the concept was the design of a plant's leaf. Dubbed a "bionically optimised vehicle", the Light Cocoon is a preview of what could be the future for super-lightweight vehicle technology. The outer skin is a weatherproof fabric designed by outdoor specialists Jack Wolfskin. The idea is similar in concept to the BMW GINA prototype seen back in 2008 (pictured below).

The fabric used is called Texapore Softshell, which is an extremely lightweight material specifically designed to let light in from the outside. The yellow backlighting underneath clearly displays the intricate skeletal components of the chassis, which are constructed using a 3D printer.

Although just a rendering at the moment, we expect to see the Light Cocoon skin draped over a concept chassis at the Geneva Motor Show in March.