Collins Tdr-90 Transponder on 2040-parts.com

GT Academy winner Heitkotter's next step is the 24 Hours of Dubai

It all culminates in January at the 24 Hours of Dubai: That's when video-game player and GT Academy winner Bryan Heitkotter will race, professionally, with European GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough in a Nissan 370Z. The GT Academy was a contest that started last December in which Gran Turismo 5 players competed for a seat in a real race car. Thousands entered, 32 players rose to the top, and 16 of those were invited to a seven-day whirlwind racing and evaluation program at the Silverstone circuit in the United Kingdom.

Brief 4 – GMC: CDN–GM Interactive Design Competition

Once again, Car Design News and General Motors are holding an Interactive Design Competition.There are five design briefs to choose from, each set by GM's design teams, and you're invited to submit your entry on the competition website: http://www.cardesigncontest.com/ The fourth of our briefs comes from GMC, GM's truck-and-utility-only brand, and asks you to design of the interior or exterior of a GMC show car to be revealed at the 2030 North American International Auto Show. Your design should focus on a future interpretation of GMC's ‘industrial sculpture' design philosophy. You'll need to bear in mind who the customer for this truck or utility vehicle is, and consider what is the purpose and application of the vehicle.

First sight: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

In recent years, European buyers have been switching their mid-size sedans and wagons for smaller cars, crossovers and SUVs. The Volkswagen Passat, Europe's most successful company car, has defined this market segment pretty much since it arrived back in 1973, and this latest, eighth-generation model has been designed to attempt to reverse that buying trend. When we catch up with design director Dr Klaus Bischoff at the car's unveiling, he's certainly confident that the new car represents a significant step forward.