Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Subaru Canada reveals ‘Driving Confidence’ contest winners

Subaru Canada has revealed the top three designs from its ‘Driving Confidence' competition. The Canadian division of the company collaborated with the artist web site deviantART and called for "original creations that celebrate the bold design, superior handling, and meticulous engineering that Subaru vehicles are renowned for." The challenge asked for competitors to push their creativity "to the limit", which many of them did with some impressively-abstract designs. The winner won $2,500 for "Born to Rally in the Snow," the second place received $1,000 for "Unleash the Beast," while third place was awarded $500 for "Subaru Slot Car Set." The runner-up was "Subaru Impreza WRC Rally 'The Pass 2'." All of the submissions are being displayed at Subaru's booth at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto and in the gallery above.

Opel Trixx concept for the Geneva Motor Show

Opel/Vauxhall has released first details of the Trixx small car concept to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Martin Smith, Opel/Vauxhall executive director of design, says: "Trixx shows our vision of an innovative, ultra-compact car in the three-metre-class, with an expressive, exciting design, and meets a variety of mobility requirements with its clever, highly versatile interior concept." Trixx has an inflatable rear seat, sliding electric doors, and a push-button roof hatch that allows it to carry extra-long objects upright. The versatile car can carry up to three adults and a child, and as a one-seater it turns into a substantial load carrier.

Ssangyong relaunches brand with Giugiaro-designed Korando

Korean brand Ssangyong is back from the dead. After looking odds-on favorite to become another automotive casualty of the global recession after Chinese owner SAIC put it into receivership in early 2009, the 4x4 specialist has found a new owner in 2010 – signing a memorandum of understanding with Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra in August – and has just re-launched its brand with a new car designed by Giugiaro. The fourth-generation Korando mid-sized crossover – prefaced by the C200 concept shown at the April 2009 Seoul motorshow – is due on sale in January 2011 pending the expected completion of the Mahindra deal in November this year.