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CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition 2014 now open!

Car Design News and General Motors are pleased to announce the 2014 edition of the CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition is now open for entry. This is the fourth running of the contest that challenges the design students of North America to create GM's future, with the guidance of professional designers and fellow students. Up for grabs are six, three-month paid internships that offer the chance to work alongside GM's design teams at the world-famous Tech Center in Warren, MI.

First sight: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

In recent years, European buyers have been switching their mid-size sedans and wagons for smaller cars, crossovers and SUVs. The Volkswagen Passat, Europe's most successful company car, has defined this market segment pretty much since it arrived back in 1973, and this latest, eighth-generation model has been designed to attempt to reverse that buying trend. When we catch up with design director Dr Klaus Bischoff at the car's unveiling, he's certainly confident that the new car represents a significant step forward.

Video: Watch a Mini Countryman do a backflip

We've seen a backflip on a snowmobile, we've seen the double backflip from Travis Pastrana on his dirtbike, and we saw Rhys Millen almost land a backflip in his off-road truck on New Year's Eve. Apparently, Mini thought it would cap the fad's run by flipping a car. Extreme sportsman, freestyle skier and rally driver Guerlain Chicherit made the attempt at the winter sports resort of Tignes in France.