Royal College of Art and SABIC collaborate on new ‘VISIcON’ program and design competition

The Royal of Art and chemicals manufacturer SABIC has announced the launch of a three-month research program and competition called 'VISIcON'. Over 30 post-graduate students from the college's Vehicle Design program are studying and analyzing how SABIC's thermoplastic lighting materials and LEXAN polycarbonate (PC) glazing technologies can be used practically and creatively to improve the lighting and illumination of future vehicles. VISIcON asks students from the RCA's automotive students split into three groups: the Automark group's emphasis on developing and enhancing brand identity through lighting; Urban Flow's focus directed towards discovering innovative exterior lighting; and Inside Out studio is working on improving and extending the use of light in the vehicle interior through lighting components and PC glazing.

New Mazda3 i-stop announced

The Mazda3 i-stop has been released utilising a new type of stop-start technology We won’t go on about our review of the new Mazda 3 as you’ve heard it all before, but it is a very good car. And the addition of a model with stop-start certainly adds something new to the range, particularly for buyers who drive most of the time in town. Mazda label this as part of their ‘Sustainable Zoom-Zoom’ strategy.

Lexus IS-C Convertible gets F-Sport options.

Lexus has launched a range of F-Sport accessories for the new Lexus IS Convertible With the Lexus IS Convertible having launched in Japan this week, and the Lexus IS 250C arriving in the UK in July (and the Lexus IS 350C to arrive sometime next year), Lexus are looking for ways to ‘Up-sell’ the range, particularly as it looks like it will totally eclipse the woeful SC430. With prices starting from low £30k, there is no doubt a big push to get people to spec up their cars. And what better way than to offer some nice Lexus F-Sport bits and pieces to bolt on to your new pride and joy.