Videos: Chris Bangle shares his views on design and the future of car design

Chris Bangle is a man that needs no introduction on these pages. Both revered and castigated, Bangle's work has undoubtedly been influential for a generation of designers. His unconventional practices – employed at a time when design was still largely segregated from other departments during the development process – yielded many avantgarde and contentious designs, but Bangle's fundamental understanding of the design process, creative vision and desire for change can never be cast in doubt. While Bangle shares his views on the future of the car in the video to the right, the video to the left provides an insight into the former BMW design chief's thought processes and gives us a glimpse into his home and studio in the Piedmont region of northern Italy.

Mini electric test delayed by surge of applicants

Mini USA is taking longer than expected to select 450 lessees for its electric car because of the deluge of about 1,800 applicants. Drivers who are chosen are expected to get cars in April. The program originally had been expected to begin at the start of the year.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI R205 for JDM

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI launches in Japan Subaru has announced a limited run of 400  Subaru Impreza WRX STI 205 which will go on sale in Japan. It won’t please Subaru Impreza nuts in the UK as they’ll get no chance to get their hands on one, but for those in Japan it’s great news. Unlike the rather lame Subaru WRX STI Carbon (or Impreza Pipe & Slippers as we like to think of it), the R205 is hard-core. Subaru has plucked a chunk of bits from the ‘Spec C’ bin to create the R205.