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First Sight: Ferrari 599 GTB

Ferrari have announced the first details of their latest V12 berlinetta at the North American International Auto Show - the new 599 GTB. The new model is a direct replacement for the 575M Maranello and represents the latest interpretation of a theme that has seen such classics as the 250 GT, the 275 GTB, and the 365 GTB4 (Daytona).   According to Ferrari, the new car is a concentration of their most innovative and technologically advanced engineering solutions applied to a mid-front engined two-seater coup?.

College Exhibition: Elisava University Show 2005

Students from the Transportation Design Masters program at Spain's Elisava School of Design presented their work in the 2005 Degree Show entitled 'Real Transportation', held in October at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona. This was the sixth edition of the Transportation Design Masters course. The projects by this year's students aimed to bring creative solutions to real transport issues, while taking into account aspects such as mobility, aerodynamics, environmental impact, ergonomics, legislation, materials, production, security, technology and aesthetic principles.

Car Design News 2005 Reader Survey

We're pleased with how things have gone, but Car Design News must continue to evolve, to become more interesting and more useful. We can only do this properly with some feedback from our readers. We need you to help us understand better what we're doing that's good, what we're doing that's bad and what we could be doing that we're not ?

Braunschweig University of Art Show 2005

Transportation Design students from Braunschweig University of Art in Germany presented their work at the 2005 graduation show held in July. The show displayed final thesis projects as well as projects from the last term. Graduating student Ingo Brueckmann presented an open roadster as his diploma project.

Design Contest: LA Auto Show previews 2006 Design Challenge

Dec 2, 2005 - The Los Angeles Auto Show has revealed entries for the second annual Design Challenge, part of the 'Design Los Angeles' automobile designers conference. Now in its second year, the conference bridges designers interests by providing workshops, leading design speakers and the opportunity to address common issues. More than 400 designers attended last year's inaugural event.

What's New: December 2005

Hyundai HCD9 Talus concept Following the Neos III concept shown in Tokyo, Hyundai will be revealing the HCD9 Talus sports concept at the North American International Auto Show in January. Hyundai will also be showing the all-new Santa Fe SUV. Mazda CX-7 At the Detroit show Mazda will showcase the CX-7, a CUV that uses the same platform as the Ford Edge, but with more expressive, less macho styling to befit Mazda's 'Zoom-Zoom' philosophy.

Design Services: Motorcity Europe

A recent Business Week article stated that "never before has design been so vital to an auto maker's success, maybe even to its survival". Much of the reason for this is the close parity in quality between different brands and the general high quality of new cars; according to J.D. Power, vehicle quality has improved 24% in the past five years.

Coventry University students prepare for the MA Design Degree Show

MA students from England's Coventry University Automotive Design course are preparing for their annual degree exhibition. This year's Show, entitled '15' will present fifteen students work from the fifteen month course in the new Coventry Transport Museum in the centre of the city.   The projects on show cover the full spectrum of vehicle concepts ranging from a luxury car inspired by Chanel perfume to a future proposal for a New York taxi and students have taken a wide variety of starting points for their project research.

Design Contest: Ferrari 'New Concepts of the Myth'

Automotive design students from all over the world gathered in Maranello this week for the award ceremony of the 'Ferrari - New Concepts of the Myth' design competition. The winners were announced and awarded their prizes at Galleria Ferrari, within walking distance of Ferrari headquarters and Ferrari's Fiorano test track. The coveted prizes are six months of exciting and very demanding work at Ferrari and Pininfarina creative centres, under the leadership of Ferrari's Donato Coco (in Maranello) and Pininfarina's Ken Okuyama (in Torino).

CCS- American Iron and Steel Institute Challenge 2005

Transportation Design students from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit recently presented projects done in conjunction with the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Three students were selected from the college to complete an internship: Chris Piscitelli, Sylvian Bryan and Sang Hoon Shin. They took on the challenge to design a 'functional, innovative and extreme-inspired vehicle that integrates environmental responsibility, cost efficiency and advanced steel materials.' Aside from the peripheral criteria, it is the 'extreme' theme that sticks, the brief satisfyingly encouraging students to really provoke with their imaginations.With the Challenge now in its 17th year, AISI puts its considerable resources to good use, Piscitelli, Bryan and Shin each receiving much support during their internship program, which includes producing scale models of their designs.

Donato Coco announced as new Ferrari Design Chief

Donato Coco has been appointed as Ferrari's new Chief Designer, starting November 14. It is a move that fills the void left by Frank Stephenson, who earlier this year moved to head the Fiat, Lancia and Light Commercial Vehicles styling center. "Coco will have the job of stimulating and directing the creativity of Ferrari's partners, which in terms of styling include our historic partnership with Pininfarina," Ferrari said.

Holden shows Efijy concept at the Australian International Motor Show

Holden's designers and engineers have delivered a knockout showcar at last month's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The Efijy (effigy - n. a stylistic representation of someone or something famous) is a stunning nod to the classic 50s FJ Holden with steroid-fed hot rod lines.

What's New: November 2005

Volkswagen CrossPolo At the recent Motor Show in Essen, Germany, Volkswagen showed their new CrossPolo. It is an adaptation of the existing car that seeks to extend the range's popularity in Europe, adding extra cladding around the car's ankles. Like the Audi A6 Allroad, it also features (matt) brightwork for the roof rack and door-mirrors, while the central parts of the front and rear graphics are also lightened for contrast against the grey bumpers.

Show Review: Goodwood Revival 2005

For three days each year, Goodwood steps back fifty years as owners and drivers the world over bring their historic cars face-to-face in sixteen consecutive races. With participants and spectators alike dressed in tweed and fur, the post-war atmosphere is utterly convincing and quite unique, and brings battles on the track that Bernie Ecclestone can only dream of. For three days each year, Goodwood steps back fifty years as owners and drivers the world over bring their historic cars face-to-face in sixteen consecutive races.

What's New - October 2005

Mercedes-Benz has released pictures of their F600 Hygenius, designed in their advanced studio in Yokohama. It is the latest in a series of research vehicles by DaimlerChrysler that encase their latest technologies: appropriately, the fuel cell is the focus this time. The car is proportionally similar to the B-Class, with gawky graphics blending windows with headlamp lenses.

2005 Interior Motives Design award winners announced

 The Interior Motives Design Awards were held on the second press day of the IAA in Frankfurt. Now in its third year, the awards ceremony is a regular fixture, inked into schedules as a chance to meet and make acquaintances. Each year, Interior Motives proposes a range of design briefs to leading universities, giving their young talent the opportunity to have their work viewed by leading designers and win up to $5000.

First Sight: Honda Civic - North America

 This is the new US market, 8th generation Honda Civic that follows on soon from the announcement of the 8th generation European Civic about to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the Civic Si Coupe concept shown at Chicago earlier this year. Although relating closely to its hatchback European sibling, the US market Civic is available as a four door sedan or two door coupe - underscoring the principal difference in market preference between Europe and America for this size of car. Specification The Si Coupe is available from launch with the 2.0 liter, 197bhp VTEC engine, whilst the sedan and standard coupe have a 1.8 liter, 140 bhp VTEC engine.

College Exhibition: IAAD - 'Italian Sportivity: The New Generation'

Demonstrating the development of new concepts for Alfa Romeo and Ducati, the Automobile Museum of Turin, Italy, has been hosting an exhibition entitled 'Italian Sportivity: The New Generation'. The work was produced by Transport Design students from Turin's Institute of Applied Arts and Design (IAAD). Working with designers from both companies, IAAD students were given a pair of options to chose from: two wheels or four; Ducati or Alfa Romeo.

College Exhibition: Scuola Politecnica di Design Show

Masters students on the Transportation Design course at Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, Italy have recently displayed the results of a project done in collaboration with Lamborghini. Twenty students were faced with the delicious task of reinterpreting the legendary Espada, the four-seater front-engined GT designed by Gandini under Bertone in 1968. Guided by Professor Marco Bonetto, the project spanned one year and included the active involvement of Walter De'Silva, Director of Design for Audi Brand Group (Audi, SEAT, Lamborghini), and Luc Donckerwolke, Design Director of Lamborghini.

Luc Donckerwolke appointed as Seat Design Director

Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke will be appointed as Seat Design Director, starting next month. Donckerwolke moves within the Audi Brand Group to replace Walter De'Silva who retains his position as the group's Director of Design. In his new position, Donckerwolke will also take over the Spanish company's Design Centre, currently run by Steve Lewis who is moving on to assume new responsibilies within the Audi Brand Group.

University of Huddersfield Degree Show 2005

Transportation Design students at England's Huddersfield University displayed their work in the annual degree show in June. The exhibition at Huddersfield University also included a display of the production model of the Toniq R sports car that has been designed and produced by former students of the Transport Design course. In late June the exhibition moved to central London.

Northumbria University Show 2005

The 14 students graduating from the BA (Hons) Transportation Design course based in Newcastle in the north east of England have been exhibiting their work in their studios at Northumbria University as well as at the Lingotto building in Turin, Italy. The summer degree exhibitions were held in June. The work students exhibited comprises of either a major concept or evaluation project as well as competition work submitted early in the final year.

College Exhibition: College for Creative Studies Student Exhibition 2004

Jul 20, 2004 - On the evening of May 14th, Detroit's College for Creative Studies opened it's 79th Annual Student Exhibition with a patron preview. The entire campus was transformed into a gallery to display works by many of the year's students. The CCS Student Exhibition is one of Detroit's major cultural community events.

What's New - July 2005

Volvo C70 Volvo has released pictures of the second-generation C70, to be launched in September at the Frankfurt Motorshow. The new C70 seats four with a two-faced three-stage folding hardtop meaning there will be just one body style: rivals Mercedes CLK and SAAB 9-3 must wait until the next generation before they can claim the same. Designed as a coupe from the outset, the C70 answers the perennial cabriolet problem with an elegant profile, roof up or down.

College Exhibition: Royal College of Art Show 2005

For the 18th year Pilkington Automotive sponsored the RCA's Vehicle Design Awards. Leslie Lau won the Best Design Interpretation Award for his Emotive-HYDRO:GEN electric vehicle design, a futuristic look at the automobile which retains the spirit of driving passion. Aimed at the single urbanite and powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, the vehicle also seeks to address issues of recyclability through the use of recycled pulp, most commonly found in egg boxes, in the exterior body panels.

Show Review: 100% Design 2005

London has recently hosted 100% Design, the city's response to the Milan Furniture Show that currently dominates the product design calendar. Just as the Italians have spread their show over the city, Londoners have begun to do the same, introducing 100% East in the arty East End, and using more floorspace at Earls Court, the exhibition centre that formerly hosted the British Motor Show. 100% Design is complemented at Earls Court by 100% Detail and 100% Material.

A tribute to Ermanno Cressoni

Last week the car design community suffered a great loss. Ermanno Cressoni or 'Arch' as many of his designers affectionately referred to him, passed away on Thursday 30th June in Milan after battling with cancer for 13 months.'Arch' was a reference in car design and his contribution to our profession was much more important than stated in the press. As Alfa Romeo Centro Stile Director he directed the Alfetta berlina, the famous chrome GTV grille from the early seventies is attributed to him, as is the Giuglietta sedan of the late seventies, the Alfa 33, the 75, and many of the racing Alfas we adore from the late 60s and early 70s.

College Exhibition: Coventry University Design Degree Show 2005

  John Buckingham's Lagonda project was one of several Aston Martin projects featured this year. This is a front-engined limousine in the style of the 1976 Bill Towns Lagonda with a compact cabin, shallow DLO and a very long, high tail combined with a much more 'delicate' aesthetic than existing full-size limousines. Unusual features include a shark nosed form with concave sculpted fenders inspired by the DB3R and a full-width light bar visor contained in an inverted Aston grille.

Interior Motives Design Conference 2005

Patrick le Quement, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design, Renault made the opening address in which he remarked that "the most profound change I and my team have made is the investment in interior design". He took the audience through a succinct overview of the recent history of Renault design and how far it has evolved from being 'the art of dressing up the hunchback' as a senior Renault manager remarked several decades ago. One of the interesting Renault Design processes he talked about was its 'Trends Missions' where groups of four or five designers make trips into creative areas adjacent to car design for a few days to explore, research and bring back to the studio valuable insight that enriches the design group as a whole and informs the many issues and tasks being grappled with, one of the most important at the moment being defining 'what is Renault'.

General Motors Europe announces new European Design Center

General Motors' global Design organization is a multi-national team with eleven design centers around the world. The offices are linked via virtual reality studios and projects are shared around the globe. The organization is led by Ed Welburn, GM's global vice president of design.