ENG Automotive Design Summit 2005

 A sunny Stockholm was the venue for the 3rd Automotive Design Summit organised by European Networking Group (ENG) and this year the event, for the first time, was supported by Car Design News. The summit took place April 18-19 in the stylish Clarion Hotel in the heart of Stockholm, close to the 'Gamla Stan' or old town, and was enjoyed by around sixty delegates from the international automotive design community. The two-day summit opened with an interesting introduction by Sebastien Rosel, Product Manager from Dassault Systemes on the new Catia V5 software.

Ford S-MAX Vignale Concept revealed

The Ford S-Max Vignale (pictured) arrives to top the S-Max range The arrival of the Ford Mondeo Vignale Concept last year made it clear Ford were ready to do a 21st century version of the ‘Ghia’ badge engineering to create a range-topping sub-brand with the Vignale badge with all the whistles and bells on it. Today’s arrival of the Ford S-MAX Vignale Concept reinforces that conclusion. Just like the Mondeo Vignale, the S-Max Vignale comes with plenty of upmarket materials and toys, like 21″ alloys, chrome mirror caps, Vignale Grill, embossed leather with quilting, tablet docking and a Milano Grigio paint job.

Microsoft Windows in the Car to rival Apple CarPlay

Microsoft Microsoft has announced a concept version of the Windows operating system aimed at in-car entertainment for the connected car. Although details are limited at this stage, 'Windows in the Car' is set to challenge the already confirmed Apple CarPlay and Google’s Open Automotive Alliance, which is also aiming to bring the Android OS into vehicles. Windows in the Car: features, apps, technology As with the rival options, Microsoft’s in-car OS would be based on its existing Windows Phone software, adapted to suit the different demands of the driving environment.