Michelin Challenge Design announces 2014 theme: ‘Driven/Undriven: The Duality of Tomorrow’s Automobiles’

Michelin has announced the theme for the 2014 Michelin Challenge Design competition – ‘Driven/Undriven: The Duality of Tomorrow's Automobiles'. Participants will explore the human-to-vehicle connection, focusing on how this can evolve automotive design. The exploration of autonomous vehicles has gathered pace in recent years, with Toyota displaying its autonomous Lexus car at the recent CES in Las Vegas, while other carmakers and even Google have been investing heavily in the concept.

McLaren P11 caught testing

Proof of how far along the P11 is came today with pictures of the car out testing in chilly climes in Sweden (just like the next generation Porsche 911 (998) and the new Baby Rolls Royce, the RR4). McLaren P11 caught testing in snowy Sweden The McLaren P11 is a hand-built carbon composite 2 seater, mid engined car, with a target weight of only 1250kg. Power is likely to come from a Mercedes lump, and probably a tuned version of the 6.2 litre AMG found in the ’63s’, mated to an F1 style flappy-paddle gearbox.

Japan Car: Designs for a Crowded Globe

The Science Museum in London, UK is hosting the Japan Car: Designs for the Crowed Globe exhibition, sponsored by seven Japanese automobile manufacturers. An exploration of the car as a 'mobile cell', the exhibition has been conceived by graphic designer Kenya Hara and architect Shigeru Ban to show how Japanese design reflects the 'soil and spirit' of Japan, depicted by concept cars and models specific to the Japanese market. Speaking to Car Design News, Shigeru Ban explained how the automobile was chosen as the central element to the exhibition because it is a reflection of Japanese culture and tradition.