Polaris Decal-tank Side Lh At 7173463, Models A05mh76ac on 2040-parts.com

Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment contest pits auto designers against Detroit talent

Local creative and design talent from outside and inside the car industry will go head-to-head in a multi-round competition for the title of Sketchmaster in the Middlecott Sketchbattle Experiment (MSBE). To be held at an underground afterparty for the Auto Show Charity Preview on 17 January at the Kunsthalle Museum in Detroit, the self-styled car design fight club will be attended by industry leaders, designers from Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota and Tier One suppliers. Car enthusiasts, artists and designers from around the globe will also be present.

Future products: Coupe in Subaru's pipeline will be an image booster

Subaru plans to extend its lineup in late 2011 or early 2012 by adding a sporty coupe developed with Toyota. Also, an Impreza hybrid that uses technology from Toyota is expected in 2012. Toyota now owns about 17 percent of Subaru.

AC Schnitzer upgrades third-gen BMW X5

The Geneva motor show probably brings together more companies related to carmakers than any other show on the calendar (except maybe SEMA). This year, we'll see Brabus, ABT, Mansory and -- of course -- AC Schnitzer. Schnitzer is based in Aschen, Germany and specializes in BMWs and Minis.