Pace cadets: At AMG academy, students take their finals with their right feet

Mercedes-Benz USA launched the AMG Challenge in 2002, a program touted as "a chance to experience the thrill of driving the newest Mercedes AMGs on some of America's best racetracks." This year, MBUSA abandoned the Challenge in favor of the AMG Driving Academy, a multistage driver-development program pioneered by AMG in Europe. The difference? According to Greg Clark, AMG manager, "the Challenge was more about the cars, while the Academy is more about the driver." Having participated in both the Challenge and now the Academy, we'd say that difference is subtle, at least as it applies to the one-day program.

Syd Mead exhibition opens in New York

A selection of the work of Syd Mead – the designer behind some of the most iconic vehicles in films such as Blade Runner and Aliens – has gone on display at the BravinLee Gallery in New York. The exhibition of the works, which span the forty years of his career to date, is sure to excite fans of the visionary designer, who continues to inspire designers young and old. Daniel Simon, the concept designer behind such films as Marvel's Captain America and TRON Legacy, for example has worked closely with Mead.

Alfa Romeo to go all-RWD

And Alfa Romeo's saga of restructuring, postponing and rejiggering continues, swathed in announcements, reports, rumor and innuendo. A few months ago, the product plan at the Italian automaker centered around the existing MiTo and Giulietta (cousins of the 500 and Dart, respectively), the almost-at-hand 4C, the upcoming Giulia sedan and the Duetto, a roadster based on the next Miata. Forget that.