The OX, a revolutionary flat pack all-terrain truck conceived by prolific F1 designer Gordon Murray, has been commissioned for pre-production by Shell.
The ‘OX to India’ mission is a partnership between Gordon Murray Design, Shell and the Global Vehicle Trust. It aims to bring accessible mobility to the sub-continent, home to 18% of the world’s population.
The OX is cheap, light and compellingly cute. An easy to maintain design, it can haul up to 13 people, or a load of almost two tonnes.
The front-wheel drive light truck is powered by 74kW (100hp) 2.2 litre Ford diesel. With patent 'OXGlide' suspension, OX is capable of overcoming hostile terrain and wading through up to 1.3 metres of water.
In addition to its utility, the OX brings IKEA design philosophy to the automotive realm. The trucks can be manufactured, flat packed and transported six at a time in 40-foot containers.
Upon arrival at the import destination, reassembly takes three people and 12 hours. Assembly may be more complex than the hex key and heated argument required for IKEA furniture.
Built by GMD the first containers of OX are expected to arrive in India in late 2018.
Professor Gordan Murray, Executive Chairman, GMD said the project was one of his proudest creations. No throwaway comment from a man whose CV includes Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/4.
“The OX is one of our most important engineering designs and it is certainly the vehicle of which I am most proud, as its disruptive design has the potential to change the current mobility model and with Shell’s vision this vehicle could go on to improve so many people’s lives.”
Hallmarks of Murray’s design flair are impossible to hide. Notably, the OX driver is seated in the centre of the vehicle, a trait best remembered from one of Murray’s other budget conscious designs, the McLaren F1.
We are desperate to get our hands on one of these adorable little world savers. First to cross Gunshot Creek on the Old Telegraph Track in an OX gets a free t-shirt.
Watch the OX get shaken down here.
What other cars should Gordon Murray 'flat pack'? Tell us in the comments below.
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