The world’s first ‘flat-pack’ vehicle is launched today – but you won’t be able to buy it at IKEA.

Nevertheless three people can put it together in 12 hours using all the parts which are packed together – many inside one another - in a clever compact kit form.

Called the OX and expected to cost between £10,000 and £15,000, the innovative British vehicle has been created by F1 and supercar designer Prof Gordon Murray in conjunction with entrepreneur, philanthropist and former pilot Sir Torquil Norman.

The OX is the brainchild of Professor Gordon Murray, pictured, who created the legendary McLaren F1 supercar

It is designed to provide a low-cost, back to basics, all-terrain small truck that can operate on and off-road and help communities in remote parts of Africa and the developing world to transport water, food, medicines, fertilisers, building materials and people.

But it is also expected to attract farmers and land-owners in Britain and Europe who want a low-cost load-lugger.

What makes the OX unique is the clever design that makes it relatively easy to pack and stack - like flat-pack furniture – to transport to its destination.

It can be put together with minimal tools (though anyone who has spent countless hours with an allen key, screwdriver and head-scratchingly challenging instruction diagram may beg to differ).

Its creators say three people can create each car flat-pack in under six hours ready for shipping from the UK, and that six flat-pack cars can be stacked in a single 40ft high cube container.

Once delivered to its destination, it takes three people half a day to construct each car from the compact flat-pack.

Inspired by the shelved ‘Africar’ project of the 1980s, five years ago Sir Torquil Norman founded the Global Vehicle Trust, to pursue his ambition to help people in the developing world by providing cost-effective mobility. His dream is to see ‘an OX in every African village.’

It takes three people half a day to construct each car from the compact flat-pack

Professor Gordon Murray, who created the legendary McLaren F1 supercar, was brought on board to create an equally revolutionary lightweight truck that will cope with the roughest roads.

The front cab of the OX seats three people with the driver sitting centrally. Shorter than a sports utility vehicle it can carry twice the weight – nearly 2 tonnes – of cargo. That could be up to 13 people, eight 44 gallon drums, or three large pallets.

Powered by a 2 Litre diesel engine linked to a 5-speed manual gear-box, top speed of the OX is around 75mph with acceleration from rest to 60mph.

The OX is a revolutionary lightweight truck that will cope with the roughest roads

A spokesman for the Global Vehicle Trust said: ‘The brief for the vehicle called for high ground clearance, excellent approach and departure angles, large wheel movement, a multi-purpose layout and a three-person cab.

‘Gordon Murray’s design for the OX is nothing short of revolutionary, and the flat-pack format fundamentally changes the way a vehicle can be bought and transported, providing specific advantages to lead times and overall unit cost.’

Having the driver in the middle seat of three gets around the problem of some developing countries driving on the right, while other drive on the left. Though drive is through just two of the wheels, it has been engineered to perform ‘as well as, or better than’ a four-wheel drive vehicle across a range of surfaces.

A spokesman said: ‘Uniquely, it is capable of being flat-packed within itself, enabling it to be transported more efficiently around the world’.

A light but strong steel chassis is complemented by a shell of waterproof bonded wood composite. The three flat glass windscreen panels are interchangeable in case of breakages, as are the main body and door panels.

There are other innovations. The tailgate detaches completely and can be rotated lengthways to double as a loading ramp.

The rear bench seat bases can be removed from the vehicle and used as ‘sand ladders’ under the wheels to help the OX traverse challenging soft ground.

Old Etonian and former toy-making boss Sir Torquil Norman, who bought and restored the Roundhouse arts venue in Camden, North London, said: ‘My inspiration for the OX goes back to seeing the ‘Africar’ project of the 1980s. This project shares some of the aims of that vehicle, but its execution is radically different. ‘

The front cab of the OX seats three people with the driver sitting centrally to overcome left and right hand drive issues

Global Vehicle Trust is now seeking investors and backers to put the OX into full production

Professor Gordon Murray said: ‘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.

‘The added challenge of a flat-packed vehicle design over the already tough targets for cost, durability and weight saving made for a fascinating and stimulating journey from concept to prototype.’

He added: ‘The most satisfying elements of the project for me are that the OX will make such a difference to so many people and that it has no competitor in any part of the world.’

Launching three prototypes as part of a £3m development over 5 years, Global Vehicle Trust is now seeking investors and backers to put the OX into full production.