Design Contest: 2005 World Automotive Design Competition announced

The World Automotive Design Competition, sponsored by Alias and hosted by the Canadian International Auto Show, is back with more participating design schools and an impressive list of prizes. Design students from twenty-six schools around the world have been invited to design a World Car that visually identifies its cultural origins and, at the same time, has appeal, and can be sold throughout the world, in at least five countries on three continents. The vehicle should be easily recognized as coming from a particular culture.

Aston Martin at the Paris motor show 2008

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 03 October 2008 10:13 The buzz around Aston Martin continues. The now independent brand is teasing motor show visitors with a styling buck of the One-77 (the ultra-exclusive £1.2 million supercar that’ll be limited to a run of, yep, 77 when it arrives in 2009) that reveals just its front right and rear left aspects, plus there’s an automatic DBS on display and talk of exciting future Aston Martin projects. James Bond’s favourite Aston now comes with Touchtronic – a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox that’s borrowed from the DB9 but substantially beefed up.

Ford Focus RS rolls off the production line

Ford has announced this afternoon that the much awaited Ford Focus RS has now started to roll off the production line at its plant in Saarlouis, Germany. Long awaited, and much anticipated, the Focus RS is going to be available in 20 countries throughout Europe, with its biggest markets being Germany and the UK. Ford Focus RS rolls off the production line The Focus RS has a number of unique features – apart from its performance – including a wider track and wheel arches, new front and rear bumpers and a choice of three colours – Ultimate Green, Performance Blue and Frozen White.