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Local Motors LM3D Debuts

(Credit: © Local Motors)

Concept Vehicles

Local Motors LM3D Debuts

LM3D Swim

LM3D Swim (Credit: © Local Motors)

The craziness surrounding 3D printing has cooled as of late, but that doesn’t mean it still isn’t finding its way into the automotive arena. If anything, it is starting to gain traction, as manufacturers have already begin printing components for various cars. Today, Local Motors pushes 3D printing to a new level with the unveiling of the LM3D – the first-ever 3D-printed car series.

This model has a pretty odd look about it, which is to be expected from a 3D-printed car. It almost looks like a dune buggy, thanks to its short front and rear overhangs, and pedestal lights. Despite its oddness, I must say that it looks a hell of a lot better than I expected it to.

The LM3D’s body is made from a blend of materials that consists of 80 percent ABS plastic and 20 percent carbon fiber. In total, the LM3D is made up of 75 percent 3D printed materials, but 90 percent is attainable in the future.

While this design may look like a death trap, Local Motors actually expects it to be pretty safe. It anticipates undergoing and passing crash tests by the end of 2016, making 3D-printed cars a possibility moving forward.

The details surrounding the rest of this vehicle remain very slim, including the powertrain. My assumption is that the production version will make use of an electric powertrain, but there is also the outside chance that it uses a small-displacement gasoline engine.

Local Motors expects to have the LM3D ready for presale in the spring of 2016, and it expects deliveries to begin in 2017. The expected base price for this debut model is a shockingly high $53,000.

These are all the details we have on this car for now, but more will become available in the coming months.

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