2010 LA Design Challenge entrants revealed

Entries for the 2010 Los Angeles Design Challenge have now been revealed. The futuristic proposals, which called for designers to envision a 1000lbs (454kg) 2+2 vehicle that delivers comfort, safety and satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the emotional connection today's consumers demand from their vehicles, come from the west coast design studios of seven automakers – General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo. For the first time since the Challenge's inception, studios outside California have also been allowed to enter the competition.

Skoda Superb Estate – UK details

The Skoda Superb Estate We got the launch of the Skoda Superb Estate at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September, a month or so after Skoda did the usual tease with the Superb Estate. As we said at the time, it makes you wonder why people buy more expensive ‘Prestige’ estates when the Superb offers so much. I guess it’s just badge-snobbery.

Ferrari 550 Barchetta Zagato GTZ sells at Bonhams

The Ferrari 550 Barchetta Zagato GTZ - fetched £350k at Bonhams Regular readers may remember that we exclusively reported that Zagato were working on five Ferrari 550 Barchettas to create the Ferrari 550 GTZ just over a year ago. That report caused all sorts of grief as Zagato and their photographer threatened us with all manner of hellfire and brimstone for spoiling their secret. The resulting grief meant we had to take down their photos, but our story stood.