Spy shots: Aston Martin DB9 replacement spotted

Fresh from the Autoweek in-box, we bring you these new spy photos of Aston Martin's DB9 successor, lightly camouflaged and frolicking in the snow. To paraphrase digital editor Andy Stoy, the bad news is it that looks like every other Aston. But the good news is that it looks like every other Aston.

Mini Countryman (2010): first official pictures

This is the Mini Countryman, the fourth addition to Mini’s range – after the regular three-door hatch, the Convertible and the Clubman – and also the first current-generation Mini to have four-wheel drive and four regular passenger doors. No, Mini says the Countryman is a crossover, and the four-wheel drive system – called Mini All4 – is an option. Think of the Countryman as a slightly bigger and more practical Clubman with a longer wheelbase than other Minis, four proper doors and a conventional lift-up rear hatch, but to make sure it looks a bit more butch Mini has given the Countryman a bigger, bluffer nose than its siblings.

Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura talks style with AW

Nissan's design chief Shiro Nakamura stopped by One AutoWeek Tower on Friday afternoon during his visit to Detroit to share some insight on current and future styling trends for his company. Nakamura, who is best known to enthusiasts for his work on the GT-R, says the current state of design is relatively strong, and the business may be on the verge of another golden age. Nissan is also pondering the look of a version of the Leaf for its luxury Infiniti brand.