McLaren 12C Can-Am at Pebble Beach

A (currently) one-off McLaren MP4-12C – the McLaren 12C Can-Am – is heading for Pebble Beach, previewing a track-day MP4-12C. The McLaren MP4-12C is a one-off track-focused MP4-12C, developed by the same McLaren GT team which developed the MP4-12C GT3 race car, and its heading for Pebble Beach this month to tempt US track-day enthusiasts. Developed without the constraints of a racing series, the 12C Can-Am is based on the GT3 car and adds a new aerodynamic package – which improves downforce by 30 per cent – with a carbon fibre splitter with little winglets atop, a huge rear tray of a spoiler and a carbon fibre diffuser.

Kia Carens MPV (2012) first official pictures

Kia has taken its compact family wagon, the Carens back to the drawing board with the release of the all-new 2012 model, bringing it up-to-date with Kia’s current design direction.   The Carens is the last model in Kia’s line up to receive the ‘tiger nose’ facelift under the direction of chief designer Peter Schreyer, best known for designing the Mk 1 Audi TT.   The revised Carens takes on a sharper, more ‘athletic’ shape than the former chunkier model, offering a more practical, cab-forward take on the sportier looking new Ceed on which it is based.

Opel hires 2011 CDN-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition winner

Opel has taken on the winner of last year's Car Design News – Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition, Victor Uribe, to work as the latest addition to its creative design team. Uribe, a Transportation Design graduate from Istituto Europeo Di Design in Turin, Italy, emerged as the winner in the exterior design category for his submission, ‘Lounge in Motion', and won himself a six-month internship at the Opel/Vauxhall's European Design Studio in Rüsselsheim, Germany. "I met fantastic people who taught me a lot and helped me to refine my design skills.