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Contest: Volkswagen Slipstream wins 2007 LA Design Challenge

Volkswagen's Slipstream concept has won the fourth annual Design Challenge competition, part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designer's conference. The award was presented during the second press day of the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.  The theme of this year's competition, RoboCar of 2057, asked eight automotive design studios in California to form their vision of the future by depicting a vehicle that incorporates artificial intelligence engineered to make life easier and more attractive to consumers 50 years from now. Designers entered two-dimensional renderings and concept descriptions predicting how the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence will integrate into the automobile to make life safer, more practical and attractive, and the entries were judged by multi-discipline design professionals who selected the winner based on its originality of creative concept, integration of robotics and level of adaptation to a variety of environmental conditions and consumer needs.

Japan Car: Designs for a Crowded Globe

The Science Museum in London, UK is hosting the Japan Car: Designs for the Crowed Globe exhibition, sponsored by seven Japanese automobile manufacturers. An exploration of the car as a 'mobile cell', the exhibition has been conceived by graphic designer Kenya Hara and architect Shigeru Ban to show how Japanese design reflects the 'soil and spirit' of Japan, depicted by concept cars and models specific to the Japanese market. Speaking to Car Design News, Shigeru Ban explained how the automobile was chosen as the central element to the exhibition because it is a reflection of Japanese culture and tradition.

Lada Priora Coupe

Launched at the Moscow motor show earlier this week is the new Lada Priora Coupe.  Based closely on the lower medium Priora sedan platform, the Coupe has no carry over exterior elements except for its headlamps. Core features are a full depth grille graphic, contemporary prominent wheel arches that blend into a raised lower side surface and circular interior air vents denoting the car's sporting orientation. With dimensions of 4250mm long, 1696mm wide and 1430mm high, and a new found level of manufacturing quality, this Russian designed and manufactured Lada will go head to head with Hyundai Accent Coupe.