We sure fetish some hot sketches, so here are some new ones of the V-Dub Scirocco. It is bad enough that we are not getting it here in the states, they don’t have to tease us with more images of it. There are some rumors running around that the new North American manufacturing plant may have room to build the Scirocco. So there is a chance…..

These are some great old school sketches. No digital color here, just good old markers and pastels. When is the last time you used those?

Enjoy the sketches after the jump… Read more

Ford and CCS (College for Creative Studies) recently wrapped up the Big Oval’s sponsorship of a Junior class with the goal of a redesigned Model T for tomorrow’s buyers.  In total, 11 students participated in the assignment, and each had as unique a concept as the next.

Photo courtesy ANDRE J. JACKSON/DFP

The top selection was Dong Tran’s vision of an electric T running on a removable battery pack.  The concept allows for the pack to be utilized outside of the vehicle, and was powered by solar panels on the hood.  Also included in the concept was a novel utilization of the displaced energy generated by the suspension, allowing it to be saved for later use.  Sitting higher off of the ground, the re-envisioned T might be “the little Sport Ute that could,” offering a unique second row that folded away for optimal utilization of storage areas.

Read on for more images and concepts.

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Is this the Buick Invicta? Spotted last night in beautiful Michigan, the silhouette certainly has that Nu-Buick flavor, and it may be the same car we saw several months back. Back then we thought it was a Caddy, but couldn’t be sure. One telling feature may be the wheels (follow the link) on the low-profile tires.

Help us determine what it is, and win a no-prize!

Second photo after the break . Read more

It is always fun to see the ideas students bring to the world of design. Their unpolluted minds give a fresh perspective on what the youth of today wants in their driveway.

This years show consisted of almost 100 students (sophmores thru seniors) showing automotive, product, toy, and interior design. This translates into a lot to take in for one day.

The school year is over in a week or two and many already have internships lined up at companies like Honda, Toyota, Johnson Controls, Fisher Price and many product consultancies. This proves that it was a good show and the students have a lot of talent. Most of the pics in the gallery are from the junior class which shows they will be the ones to watch for next year when they are looking for full time positions.

Check out the gallery of the show and stay tuned as we visit the College of Creative Studies Show next week in Detroit.

Fuel sucks right now, cramping everyone’s driving habits and cutting into my beer money. So hey, lets downsize. Trouble is that there is not many options when it comes to a well designed, stylish fuel sipper. The new Mini Cooper Clubman takes all the great things about Mini and makes them better….err bigger in some directions.

Check out the best small car….. Read more

With gas on rise and pay checks not, everyone is looking for some way to save a buck. We all know how cars just drain your money, but we love them so much we keep paying. Damn these expensive fetishes. Here is a list of the best cars for your money put out by CNN Money.com.

Best Small Car - Mini Cooper

Best Fuel Miser - Toyota Prius

Best for Small Families - Toyota Avalon

Best for Big Families - Chevrolet Tahoe

Best for Midlife Crisis - Chevrolet Corvette

Of all of these the only one I would consider buying is the Mini Cooper. I recently had a chance to test drive the new Mini Cooper Clubman S and I must say I am in love…….

We have been seriuosly slacking here due to vacations, busy work loads and traveling, but we are back and will continue to keep the fetishing going.  We were hoping the less you get it the more you will want it, isn’t that how fetishes work?  Anyway we will start with some good news.  Ford is making money.

In big earnings surprise, Ford reports a $100 million net income in first quarter Ford Motor Company is profitable, and Alan Mulally, the company’s chief executive officer, has beat expectations again as he drives the auto manufacturer’s turnaround faster than expected. Today, the firm reported net income of US$100 million for the first three months of 2008.

Ford has not reported a quarterly profit since the second quarter of 2007.(Detroit Free Press)

I know one of the big contributers to this is the Focus which has just increased production.  Some how consumers love those tacky chrome fender vents decals. Ford’s future is looking bright with the announcement that the Euro inspired styling will take the lead for the new global design language.  The spy shot of the possible new Taurus is also promising.  And the Flex will be here soon.  This will be an interesting one to watch.  Sink or float will be the question.  Its styling and proportions are unique but will the consumers be drawn to it?  One car I am looking forward to is the Verve concepts from Detroit which will be here in a year or two.  While we are talking about all these Euro cars how about the Kuga, I’ll take one of those to.

If Ford does it right they could have a fresh new lineup much like Saturn does.  Only I am sure Ford will do a better job of selling them after they are out.  The future is looking bright, but only if consumers can afford to drive these new fancy cars….

Spring time is here so that means the student shows are starting up. The Cleveland Institute of Art is running their show from April 23-25. The Industrial Design Dept. and other disciplines (Drawing, Painting, Glass, Sculpture, Jewelry & Metals….) will also be showing through the weekend until the29th. If you are in Cleveland check it out and see the future talent. We will take photos and give you the download after.

Leave it up to Karim Rashid to come up with inventive, creative concepts for typically mundane objects.

This time, it’s the champagne chiller. Rashid’s Globalight design for Veuve-Clicquot is absolutely stunning, albeit not the most practical. It is, in all effects, a pure study in the beauty and art of product design.

The giant “hoop” contains the champagne cool and provides a handle to carry it with. The LED-lighted inner ring glows from bright to dull, depending on how cold your champagne is. And… well, that’s it. There really isn’t much to this study in beautiful exorbitance.

For more info, and a great synopsis (with photos) on the project, visit Notcot.com