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Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

Ford S-MAX Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ford is clearly pretty pleased with the performance of its S-MAX model line, and why not? The car has carved out an enviable niche for itself as the big MPV for people who don’t want to be saddled with a borderline minibus by their over-productive loins. The new S-MAX Concept, unveiled at Frankfurt by Barb Samardzich, Ford Europe’s vice president of Product Development, continues those themes.

Porsche Museum hosts Colección Goméz

The Porsche Design Museum is opening a new special exhibition today, September 20th. Called the ‘Colección Goméz' the museum will display 24 works of art created by 19 South American artists who have used Porsche 911 GT2 hoods pressed into service as a ‘canvass'. The new exhibition is the brainchild of Jorge Gómez, both an art lover and big fan of the Porsche brand.