Designers dress up Mini Cooper

Canadian design duo DSquared2 has released initial sketches of the Mini Cooper Countryman it outfitted for this year's Life Ball, which is on May 21 in Vienna, Austria. Each year, the small-car maker commissions designers to dress up a Mini to be auctioned off at the Life Ball, which donates proceeds to the fight against HIV and AIDS. The “Red Mudder,” as the car is called, is branded with a maple leaf on both doors and a DSquared2 logo on the front shield and wheels.

SS safe for Chevy under Reuss's watch

From 1960s Chevelles to modern Camaros, speedy Chevrolets have always been identified with two letters: SS. But does the tradition-laden performance designation have a future in the new General Motors, which is under pressure to cut costs, make money and meet stricter fuel-economy regulations? “Absolutely,” Mark Reuss, GM vice president of global engineering, told AutoWeek.

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge would get over 500bhp

Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge would get over 500bhp The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept was actually revealed in photos by Infiniti 10 days ago, but now it’s had a proper Detroit reveal and, although just a concept, it offers promise. Yes, the Q50 Eau Rouge is about Infiniti cashing some of the kudos they get from sponsoring Red Bull, so we get lots about the Q50 being inspired by F1, F 1 flappy paddles, F1 aerodynamics… But the fact is that the Q50 Eau Rouge does look promising and Infiniti has made a decent fist of adding go faster bits and bobs – including carbon fibre, inside and out – without making the Q50 look silly. But what’s most interesting is that the Q50 Eau Rouge perhaps has the potential to tackle cars like the Mercedes E63 and the BMW M5 if, and it’s still an if, it goes in to production.