Rolls Royce redesigns sought in new competition

Hip Shing Hong Group, Stefano Tordiglione Design and online design platform It's Liquid have launched a competition to redesign a Rolls Royce for a factory-turned-office project in Hong Kong. The contest, focused around the themes ‘Innovation', ‘Energy' and ‘Creativity', is giving the winners the chance to see their design displayed in the lobby of the new building. They will also receive a cash prize of HKD 20,000/EUR 2,000, while the second- and third-placed designers will earn themselves HKD 10,000/EUR 1,000 and HKD 5,000/EUR 500 respectively.

Pothole app gets goverment backing

A NEW SMARTPHONE APP to report potholes has been given backing by the government. The Department for Transport has given £30,000 to help develop the app, which has been launched by the Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC). The app is part of the CTC’s ‘Fill That Hole’ pothole reporting website.

Toyota to unveil 2013 Avalon in New York

Toyota is set to debut an all-new US-designed sedan at the 2012 New York International Auto Show next month The teaser sketch, which only shows the new car's rear, suggests a departure from the rather bland, conservative design of the current model. The outgoing Avalon very much a traditional three-box design, whereas the teaser image suggests the new model may feature a fastback roofline in the mold of the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS. A 'four-door coupe' if oxymorons are your thing.