DAVID ADAMS takes a look at the OX, an innovative project out of the UK which aims to address transport problems in the developing world…
PICTURES: Courtesy of Global Vehicle Trust.
Billed as the world’s first “flat-pack vehicle”, a new UK-developed truck called the OX is aimed at providing a cheap and easily constructed yet robust alternative for those who face transport problems in some of the world’s poorest nations.
The OX was designed by Gordon Murray, one of the world’s pre-eminent car designers who is perhaps best known as the designer of the McLaren F1 roadcar although he has said the new vehicle – which can travel for some 1,200 kilometres on a single tank of petrol – is among the most interesting project’s ever been involved in.
“The OX design and prototyping programme is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and challenging I have undertaken during my 45 years of car design, including my years in F1,” he is quoted as saying in a brochure touting the benefits of the vehicle. He added that most satisfying aspect of the project is that the OX “will make such a difference to so many people and that it has no competitor in any part of the world”.
The five year project to develop the vehicle came about after UK businessman and philanthropist Sir Torquil Norman founded the Global Vehicle Trust and approached Professor Gordon about designing a light-weight truck for use in the developing world where it could provide greater mobility for people living in rural areas in countries with poor infrastructure.
The result, which was recently unveiled in London, is a blocky-looking two-wheel drive vehicle which can be shipped in a flat-pack and then assembled by three trained “but not necessarily expert” people in just 12 hours.
It boasts a three seat cab with the driver seated in the middle and can carry a total of 13 people or as much as 2,000 kilograms of cargo, such as eight 44 gallon drums.
GVT has spent about £3 million creating working prototypes of the vehicle and is now seeking partners to take the project through to large scale production.