01 Malibu Rear View Mirror on 2040-parts.com

Mini at the Salone del Mobile, Milan

Mini is using this year's Salone del Mobile in Milan to showcase its 'flair for design.' As with previous years, Mini will be using sites at Milan's Università degli Studi and the Triennale Design Museum for its installations that highlight the brand's 'Creative Use of Space' philosophy. The running theme between the two works is the progression of the brand, from its roots, through to the future of mobility. The Università degli Studi instillation is entitled 'Mini Sintesi' and was initiated by Italian design magazine INTERNI under the watchful eye of Gilda Bojardi.

CCS students tackle GM project

Seniors studying Transportation Design at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Michigan, have recently completed a project with General Motors that has been underway since late 2009. General Motors challenged the students to design an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) that focused on the brand identity of Buick, Cadillac or Chevrolet, utilized the EREV components, and optimized aerodynamic attributes. Design features that incorporated sustainability materials and efficiency were also considered important components of the design development.

London Motorexpo competition shows future EVs

London's 2012 Motorexpo show has showcased the work of the winners in its competition to design an electric vehicle of the future. The brief, to create a circa 2032 zero-emmission city car capable of transporting four adults and luggage, was won by Michael Vlcek, a first-year student at London's Royal College of Arts' (RCA) Vehicle Design department. Vehicles of the future Vlcek's proposal displayed a car with electric motors mounted in the wheel housings to maximise interior space, and a front-hinged opening to allow access via the rear of the car, where Vlcek positioned the rear lights on vertical vanes to improve aerodynamic stability.