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Toyota awards winning entries of the dream car art contest

Cars inspired by balloons, birds, marshmallows and bananas were among the winning designs in the 2014 Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

More than 1,000 UK youngsters aged eight to 15 took on Toyota's challenge of designing a car of the future so there was no shortage of colour, creativity and invention.

This year produced highly imaginative ideas for cleaner, safer vehicles that fly, swim, combat floods, and even help babies sleep. Technology was a clear focus, with foldable and colour-changing body panels, touchscreens and remote control via smartphone applications winning the judges' votes.

Toyota recently held a prize-giving reception for the winners and their families at its Surrey HQ, hosted by Matt Harrison, President and Managing Director of Toyota GB, and Masanori Nohara, Executive Director and Co-ordinator. Four winners in three age groups all received Apple products, a goody bag and a certificate to mark their achievement. They will now have the chance of winning a trip to Japan as part of the global Toyota Dream Car Art Contest.

The winners

Under-eights

1st Place
Luo-Tong Sim, ‘Balloon car'. A light, solar-powered balloon-like car that is accident-proof and pollution-free. It is made from recycled materials and can be folded into a bag.

2nd Place
Thehan de Silva, ‘Rocket car'. A rocket powered car that can drive on the road, go underground or underwater and fly into space.

3rd Place
Ella Lewis, ‘Marshmallow car'. A soft edible car made from marshmallow.

4th Place
Lachlan O'Neil, ‘Red Eagle'. A solar-powered car that can fly above traffic.

Eight to 11 years

1st Place
Eva McLeod-Quinn, ‘Aqua car sub plane'. The car has a retractable, photo-chromatic window. Wings are concealed underneath and the wheels are retractable when used as a boat or submarine.

2nd Place
Denisa Rissa, ‘Super multi-coloured foldable car'. Foldable body panels allow use as anything from a two-seater coupe to a nine-seat MPV.

3rd Place
Elliot Luckins, ‘Solar powered frog car'. This solar-powered frog-shaped car is designed to be suitable for floods.

4th Place
Lisa Masters, ‘Help Mobile'. Made to help babies sleep and act as a shelter for homeless people.

12 to 15 years

1st Place
Megan Cahill, ‘Toyota Emotion'. The Toyota Emotion features a finger print lock, plug socket for charging devices and a touch screen.

2nd Place
Rachel Rissa, ‘Duo traveller'. This swan-shaped car can go in the water so it's great for the beach.

3rd Place
Marlin Harrison, ‘The Precedo'. A hydrogen-powered car with colour changing body panels that will cater for disabled drivers.

4th Place
Isaac Stanesby, ‘Fruit Mobile'. A car made out of fruit that doubles as a juice bar.