Finalists announced in Car Design News-Opel/Vauxhall interactive competition exterior design phase

Car Design News is pleased to announce the finalists in the exterior design phase of the Car Design News – Opel/Vauxhall interactive design competition. Pierin Giacomo and Victor Uribe of IED school of design in Turin (who are finalists in the interior phase) are joined by Jadir E Minutti, from IAAD in Turin, Italy and Lina, from Creapole school in Paris, France. The approaches of the students to the exterior design phase differed greatly, and because of this the judges felt that four, rather than three, students merited being invited to Geneva where the winner of the exterior design phase will be announced, together with those for the interior phase which closed in December 2010.

Renault Fluence Z.E.

Honoring its 2009 Frankfurt motor show pledge to offer EV's by 2012, Renault has announced the Fluence Z.E., which will soon be offered alongside its conventionally-powered sibling. In making its transition to EV, the Fluence has undergone several changes; the most obvious being the battery pack which dictated an increase in the car's overall length. The extended rear quarter panels, which equate to the 130mm growth, add a sizeable visual weight to the rear of the car.

Automakers sign up to Apple 'Eyes Free' Siri button

Apple has announced that the leading carmakers have signed up for the addition of an ‘Eyes Free' button that will activate Siri for in-car Apple products. Siri – the innovative voice activation system developed for the 4S, Apple's latest iPhone – can be activated by pressing a steering wheel mounted button and allows the driver to access the same information available when not driving. Apple reported at its 2012 Worldwide Developer's Conference that Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Toyota, Land Rover, Jaguar, Chrysler and Honda have all signed up to offer Eyes Free within the next 12 months.