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Mercedes A45 AMG (2013) first pictures of new hot hatch

This is the Mercedes A45 AMG: the first time Merc’s in-house tuning arm has tried its hand at building a hot hatch. Packing 355bhp, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch paddleshift transmission, the A45 AMG will outpace a Porsche 911, but cost less than £40,000. It’s on UK sale from July 2013, but if you can’t wait that long, Merc’s baby barnstormer is appearing at the Geneva motor show from 5 March 2013.

Cobra Venom V8 concept

Created by UK-based designer Jamie Martin, the Cobra Venom V8 concept is heralded as the true spiritual successor to the classic AC/Shelby Cobra. It celebrates the great Anglo-American partnership that produced one of the most iconic racing cars of the last century. Built atop a lightweight extruded aluminium chassis, the Cobra Venom V8 features carbon-fiber body panels and an F1-style alloy 'protective cocoon'.

Motorcity Europe launches design seminars

UK-based independent design studio Motorcity Europe (MCE) has launched a series of two- and five-day training seminars aimed at broadening the skills, experience and job prospects of anyone working - or looking to work - within the field of automotive design. Held at Motorcity Europe’s design studio in Cologne, Germany, the seminars will see well-known design professionals instruct on a range of design techniques, including sketching and visualizing, clay and digital modelling, portfolio improvement, presentation skills, creative thinking, and automotive and product design business strategies. These seminars are open to students, graduates, design professionals and even non-designers seeking to gain experience in the field.