DeltaWing Sketches Four-Passenger Coupe

DeltaWing Technologies Inc. has released a rendering to show how its wedge-shaped vehicle architecture might look as a four-passenger car.

The Atlanta-based company, which is chaired by racing legend Don Panoz, has campaigned a DeltaWing race car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 hours of Sebring and the American Le Mans Series.

The company's needle-nosed rear-engine design uses small, closely positioned wheels in front that aid aerodynamics and help reduce rolling resistance. Developers say the shape, combined with lightweight materials, allow a smaller and more efficient engine. The result is a high-performance car that boasts dramatically lower weight, horsepower and fuel consumption than conventional cars.

DeltaWing claims the unique modular architecture could result in a passenger vehicle that is 35% lighter, requires 35% less horsepower and is 35% more fuel efficient than traditional four-seaters.

The company doesn't intend to produce such a car itself. But it is eager to license its technology to a carmaker who would.