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Chris Bangle begins work with Changan Automobile on its design strategy and methodology

Chris Bangle is to consult with Changan Automobile to help develop its design strategy and processes in his first official automotive project since leaving BMW in 2009. Bangle – through his company Chris Bangle Associates (CBA) – will work with Changan's team in its European design center in Turin, Italy, reporting to design director Chen Zheng. And while his role will be linked to the brand's Chinese products, his focus will be on the design team's methodologies and philosophy; its management and its process of critique, rather than the hands-on design of its products.

SAIC wins LA Auto Show Design Challenge

China's SAIC, the parent company of Roewe and MG brands (yes, Morris Garages and what used to be Rover), took the top spot in the LA Auto Show Design challenge with its Mobiliant Concept, beating other contestants like BMW DesignworksUSA, Subaru, Mazda, Changfeng, Quoros, and others. The theme for this year's challenge at the LA Auto Show was "Biomimicry & Mobility 2025: Nature's Answer to Human Challenges." Entrants were directed to propose design concepts that integrated the concept of biomimicry into transportation concepts. Quite a challenge and quite an open theme, especially when you consider that last year's theme was pretty straightforward: "Highway Patrol Vehicles in the Year 2025." In 2012 the Subaru SHARC concept took the top prize.

Mercedes-Benz revives its classic Gullwing two-seater as the SLS

Mercedes-Benz's gorgeous 300SL--or Gullwing, as it is affectionately now known--has been reborn five decades after the iconic two-seater first sent the motoring world into a spin at the New York auto show in 1954. We were the first to report Mercedes' secret plans to resurrect the Gullwing following Dieter Zetsche's decision not to forge ahead with a second supercar in collaboration with its Formula One partner, McLaren. Now we can confirm the name--SLS--along with details of its state-of-the-art construction, unique driveline, performance and much more.