Another concept that Audi has submitted for the Design Challenge organized by the Los Angeles Auto Show is the Audi eOra.

This year’s Design Challenge, entitled “Youthmobile 2030”, is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 2009 edition of the Design Challenge required the Southern Californian automotive studios to envisage how a new generation of drivers aged 16 to 23 years old - raised with cell phones, webcams and online communities - will emotionally connect to the automobile in 2030.

The premise for the Audi design proposal was the thought that future generations will be born into a comprehensive digital environment. Enchanted by technology, drivers will be accustomed to the convenience of automation in their vehicles.

The next generation of vehicles will provide autonomy far beyond today’s vision.

Although autonomous driving will provide safety, efficiency, and convenience, it could also lead to a detached and sterile driving experience.

True to its “Vorsprung durch Technik” philosophy, Audi developed two vehicle designs that are truly engaging and that capture the youthful excitement of being behind the wheel for the first time.

The Audi eOra is an accessible representation of freedom and coming of age for the young (and young at heart). It is a sports vehicle that shares the same control logic as the eSpira. Extremely dynamic and efficient, the Audi eOra has a small footprint and unmatched agility.

Like a downhill skier, the eOra “carves” its way down the road with precision. By constantly adapting to the driver’s movements and intentions, the eOra and its driver move harmoniously as one with unrivaled dexterity.

The concept and art for the Audi entry was created by:

Yuval Appelboum, Designer

Benjamin Messmer, Design Intern

Nathan Barbour, Designer

Raul Cenan, Designer

Audi has submitted the Audi eSpira for the Design Challenge organized by the Los Angeles Auto Show. This year’s Design Challenge, entitled “Youthmobile 2030”, is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The 2009 edition of the Design Challenge required the Southern Californian automotive studios to envisage how a new generation of drivers aged 16 to 23 years old - raised with cell phones, webcams and online communities - will emotionally connect to the automobile in 2030.

The premise for the Audi design proposal was the thought that future generations will be born into a comprehensive digital environment. Enchanted by technology, drivers will be accustomed to the convenience of automation in their vehicles.

The next generation of vehicles will provide autonomy far beyond today’s vision.

Although autonomous driving will provide safety, efficiency, and convenience, it could also lead to a detached and sterile driving experience.

True to its “Vorsprung durch Technik” philosophy, Audi developed two vehicle designs that are truly engaging and that capture the youthful excitement of being behind the wheel for the first time.

Using next generation vehicle control logic, the Audi eSpira takes even the smallest body movements and gestures into consideration to provide an unsurpassed command of the driving experience. The eSpira means that most direct, fluid form of vehicle control is only a thought away.

The concept and art for the Audi entry was created by:

Yuval Appelboum, Designer

Benjamin Messmer, Design Intern

Nathan Barbour, Designer

Raul Cenan, Designer

Dacia Duster Trophee Andros. Dacia has chosen to base its challenge in the 2009/2010 Trophée Andros ice-racing season on the so-called 'Silhouette' category. All the circuits visited by the Trophée Andros put reliability to the ultimate test, and this will give Dacia a chance to showcase the fact that robustness forms an integral part of the brand's DNA.

The discipline also places a cap on excessively complex and costly technical solutions, while the chassis, gearbox and tyres, for example, are all carefully governed by the regulations, forcing teams to explore simple, ingenious solutions, an approach which totally fits the Dacia spirit.

Dacia's newcomer will get its first taste of ice racing in the hands of Alain Prost, with the brand seeking to spring a surprise by using the campaign to premiere Dacia Duster, the lines of which preview the 4x4 model that is due to go on sale in 2010. Dacia Duster's high body line and prominent wheel arches are clear pointers to its 4x4 credentials, while the bodywork of the competition version is perfectly suited to the specific demands of the Trophée Andros. The extensive front glazed surface area and the positioning of the windscreen pillars ensure outstanding forward and lateral visibility.

The Dacia brand has forged a reputation for challenging established thinking in the automotive world, delivering all the essentials… at just the right price.

The Trophée Andros stands out as one of motor sport's most exacting disciplines. In ice racing, the track conditions can change very quickly as a result of prevailing weather conditions, and driving calls for precision, rigour and race-craft, three qualities which all come naturally to a champion of Alain Prost's calibre. Speaking about his latest challenge, Alain Prost said, "I am delighted to be driving the Dacia Duster. It is a brand new vehicle, and I am proud to be able to play a part in its promotion to the unusual backdrop of the Trophée Andros. Thanks to the work put in by Renault Sport Technologies, I have every confidence in Dacia Duster's potential and reliability, which together point to an extremely exciting season."

The competition version of Dacia Duster has benefited extensively from the motorsport expertise of Renault Sport Technologies. Its glass-fibre body conceals a tubular chassis which houses a three-litre, 24-valve V6 engine from the Renault-Nissan Alliance range. This powerplant has been carefully tuned in order to optimise its performance potential at the high altitudes at which the races will be held. It delivers peak power of 350hp at 7,500rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm at 5,500rpm. The six-speed sequential gearbox ensures fast, precise gearshifts, even when drifting through corners at full speed. The mid-engined layout offers perfect weight distribution, whilst the low centre of gravity ensures enhanced control.

The double wishbone suspension and long-travel dampers have been specifically engineered to allow Dacia Duster to take in its stride the different conditions it will encounter during the Trophée Andros campaign. The competition version of Dacia Duster is equipped with limited slip differentials which are indispensable for the extreme conditions. This feature, which is also seen on other Renault Sport Technologies-developed competition and road cars, ensures efficient traction irrespective of the road surface, driving style or type of corner. The competition version of Dacia Duster also incorporates a four-wheel steering system for complete cornering control. This mechanical system links the front and rear wheels, and can be rapidly adjusted to meet the demands of each circuit.

Few will ever contest the exclusivity of owning an Aston Martin. Any Aston Martin will do, but it doesn’t get any better than the supercars in the line-up, being the DBS and V12 Vantage.

But if you reckon there are a few too many of these models around, then I suspect you’ll be more than pleased with the Carbon Black Special Editions, which the company has just announced.

Celebrating the enormous success of the DBS and V12 Vantage which have surpassed all sales expectations since launch, the new special editions add a typically understated flair to these acclaimed models. Featuring bespoke Carbon Black metallic paint especially formulated with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep rich patina. Each car will undergo 50 man-hours of hand painting followed by stringent quality checks. For the V12 Vantage the iconic Aston Martin side strake has been fashioned from real carbon fibre backed by a black mesh and complimented with gloss black 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. A bright finished grille and front parking sensors (normally an option) complete the exterior detailing.

It’s all about black inside the car too with Obsidian Black leather with contrasting sliver course stitch – hand stitched of course by craftspeople at Aston Martin headquarters in England.

Special lightweight seats made from carbon fibre and Kevlar replace the standard sports seats, saving a significant 17 kilograms per seat.

Continuing with the all-black theme, the facia, centre stack and centre console are trimmed Piano black along with anodised black tread plates and carbon sill plaques.

Audio in the V12 Vantage is a 700w premium system, which we rate as the best standard fit in car audio system we have heard in 2009, while the DBS is fitted the incomparable Bang & Olufsen Beosound DBS system as standard kit.

Customers who order a Carbon Black Edition V12 Vantage will have the opportunity to experience Aston Martin’s renowned Performance Driving Course (UK and Europe only) free of charge which offers a memorable day helping customers to equip themselves with the skill sets to enhance the enjoyment of their Aston Martin on the track.

The Carbon Black Editions are available to order from the official Aston Martin dealership network now with final pricing (expected to be approximately 5% over current base prices) to be confirmed in the New Year with deliveries to commence from March.