‘Imported from Detroit’ 300C goes AWD

The Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition is returning for 2014. For the first time, it will be offered with all-wheel drive with an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect for better fuel economy. Fashion icon Varvatos put his stamp of approval on the special edition slab-sided sedan.

BMW X1 gets updated for 2014

The 2014 BMW X1 (pictured) gets a tweaked front end The BMW X1 arrived back in 2009 as a high-riding Sports Activity Vehicle (BMW’s preferred description for their compact SUV come crossover) and had a bit of a facelift for 2012 to keep it fresh. Now, two years on from the last facelift, BMW has decided they need to up the ante a little (especially with more competition arriving in the shape of the new Mercedes GLA) so the BMW X1 is getting a mild makeover for 2014. The only real changes you’ll notice are tweaks to the front end of the X1 with new accents on the bumper and a bigger air intake, daytime running lights across the X1 range, new 17″ alloys and the availability of Sparkling Brown metallic to the paint colour options.

Autodesk Automotive Days - Munich 2009

Autodesk's Automotive Days design conferences, launched in Munich in 2008, have highlighted the key growth area of digital prototyping. And at last month's conference the focus was once again broadened to include coverage of conceptual design and creative visualization (at the very beginning of the design process) and design for manufacture - at the culmination of the process. Speakers from Autodesk outlined the innovative features of their latest product suites, while keynote presentations from leading automotive designers such as Frank Stephenson of McLaren and Volvo's Rickard Franklin showed in fascinating detail how the benefits of these software systems were being maximized in busy corporate design studios.