Toyota at the Paris motor show 2008

By Gavin Green Motor Shows 02 October 2008 19:16 Toyota showed the latest, third-generation Avensis, a car that typically whips up as much excitement from car enthusiasts as the Eurovision Song Contest does with music aficionados. The Avensis is one of those cars that typically provides loyal service to company car reps before naturally seeing out as its days as a minicab, pine scent dangling from rear-view mirror. The new one though is a much tidier effort in its styling, and the Tourer (estate) version is bordering on the svelte.

Finalists announced in Fiat UK's 'Smiles per Hour' design competition

Fiat UK has picked five finalists in the ‘Smiles per Hour Design Competition', a design contest we first told you about back in July. The aim of the competition was to find a budding designer in Britain who would develop a clever and amusing new way to travel. Following an initial judging process, the selection for best designs comprised of Simon Tarrant's 'Street Rower'; Nick Rawcliffe's 'Snowbone'; Natalie Daghestani's 'Hylo female commuter shoe'; Steven Spong's ‘Longbow'; and Harley Zblewski's 'Suitcase Car' -  a design we first saw at Coventry University's annual Degree Show in June.

Dassault Systèmes and Riversimple partner for eCar Design Contest

Dassault Systèmes, in collaboration with Riversimple and the 40 Fires foundation, launched their eCar Design Contest recently, designed to encourage cooperation and the development of ideas on an open source platform. The companies had been in talks for some time regarding a joint project and this competition – a completely holistic, closed-loop approach to the building, sale and use of a car – is the result of their successful collaboration. Christopher Reitz, head designer at Riversimple, says, "The open source platform is a fantastic tool.