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Michelin Challenge Design 2007: The not so ugly truth about rising vehicle safety standards

Can cars be safe and beautiful at the same time? That may not have been the case a few decades ago when automakers were forced to hang those big, ugly so-called federal bumpers off the ends of their vehicles.  With vehicle safety standards on the rise around the globe are designers today feeling a little '70s deja vu when it comes to meeting the challenges of making cars safe as well as more fuel efficient? "(Back then) we said it was the end of automotive styling," says Patrick Le Quement, senior vice president for corporate design at Renault and one of the world's most influential automotive designers.

Bonkers KTM X-Bow GT with 435hp

KTM’s X-Bow is the Austrian firm’s answer to the Caterham Seven – a lightweight, two-seater track car that makes no sacrifices when it comes to luxuries. Which is why KTM added a bit more in the way of creature comforts (including a windscreen) for its more relaxed ‘GT’ model. And now German tuners Wimmer Rennsporttechnik have got their hands on the X-Bow GT, playing with the engine to turn up the heat… Please click on the image above to read more on the KTM X-Bow GT by Wimmer Rennsporttechnik…

The Designers, Pt6 – Laurens van den Acker, Renault

Car Design News launched its first-ever Car Design Review yearbook at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring the award-winning Production Car and Concept Car Designs of 2013. If you're interested in buying a copy of the 160-page yearbook this interview appears in, alongside trend reports, bespoke car design infographics and a special feature on Marcello Gandini, our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Car Design Review can be purchased here. Name Laurens van den AckerRole VP design, Renault GroupAge, nationality 48, DutchLocation Paris, FranceEducation Delft University of Technology, Holland "I hope 2013 was the end of the crisis in Europe.