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Car-buying confidence hits new high

THE NUMBER of people who believe they will buy a new car in the next three years has jumped to 71%, according to the latest AA Car Purchase Index; up from 55% last year. Of the 19,786 survey respondents who said they were going to buy a new car, 42% said they would choose a petrol engine, with 38% saying definitely diesel. A further 13% don’t know what fuel type they will opt for, but 7% will choose some kind of hybrid and 1% will go fully electric – a total of exactly 100 respondents.

Former VW and Renault designer Markus Haub turns artist with 'Racing Legends' collection

Former Volkswagen and Renault designer Markus Haub has merged photography, painting and digital effects to create a 'Racing Legends' series, which focuses on racecars from the 1960s and ‘70s. Haub, a Pforzheim University graduate, who now teaches at the Barcelona campus of the Instituto Europeo di Design school (IED) when not producing his unique artwork, uses software to manipulate his photography which is then printed and made into a collage. He then works into it with paint and other artists' tools, creating what you can see here.

Ssangyong C200 at the Seoul motor show 2009

By James Foxall Motor Shows 02 April 2009 14:49 What’s new on Ssangyong’s Seoul motor show stand?There was palpable relief on the Ssangyong stand in Seoul as the motor show press day followed a company conference where its rejuvenation package had been outlined to worried importers. This is being led by the C200, a Nissan Qashqai-style crossover SUV that will come in both two -and four-wheel drive formats. Production of Ssangyong’s first ever monocoque car starts in November 2009 and it’ll be on sale in the UK for March 2010, promising a cheap alternative to traditional makers.