06 07 Mazda 5 L. Side View Mirror Power Body Color Non-heated 303098 on 2040-parts.com

BMW X4 confirmed – one more time

It was always going to be on the cards after the unexpected success of the X6, but the birth of the BMW X4 – a coupé version of the new X3 – has been the subject of endless rumours, almost since the X6 started to sell in unexpected numbers. We reported as far back as April 2010 that BMW were close to deciding an X4 was a no brainer; after all, with a lot of the world ‘downsizing’ their transport, a smaller X6 should be a seller. By this time last year we heard that BMW had already made the decision and we had it on good authority that the X4 was confirmed and signed-off and would be heading to showrooms by 2013.

Saab go back for another Chinese

Saab are saved (?) by Pang Da Auto There can’t be many companies in China who haven’t had Victor Muller banging on their door armed with a chunk of Saab stock in exchange for a hat full of Chinese currency. A couple of weeks ago we had the news that Saab had signed a deal with Chinese car Maker Hawtai for €120 million in exchange for a big chunk of Saab stock and lots of ‘joint’ venture. But that fell apart last week even before Victor Muller could get to consummate the marriage.

Pininfarina design celebrated in London exhibition

The work of Italian design house Pininfarina will be celebrated in a dedicated exhibition as part of the International Architecture and Design Showcase, set to take place during the 2012 London Olympics. From 22 June to 15 July the ‘Pininfarina in London' exhibition will display the most prestigious products made in Italy including a Ferrari FF and a Maserati GranTurismo during the inauguration. Four sculptures in cedar wood – made by Riva 1920 – represent four Pininfarina design icons: the Cisitalia of 1947, the Dino of 1967, the Birdcage 75th of 2005 and the Cambiano, the concept car launched by Pininfarina in Geneva this year.