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Nissan to open new studio in Beijing

After last week's announcement of leadership changes at Nissan's North American and European design centers, Nissan Investment Co., Ltd (NCIC), a Nissan subsidiary in China, today revealed plans to expand its global design resources with the establishment of a new design studio in Beijing. "With the addition of 20 designers, Nissan's new studio will enhance our design capabilities, as well as our product competitiveness in China and Asia where the automotive industry continues to see robust growth," said Shiro Nakamura, chief creative officer and senior vice president of design and brand. "Locating the studio where our customers live and work allows us to best respond to their needs and design vehicles that exceed their expectations." Scheduled to open early in 2011, the studio in the Chao Yang district of Beijing will be the first design facility in China established by a Japanese automaker.

2013 Honda Civic Ti Limited Edition

Honda has released a limited edition version of the latest Honda Civic – the Civic Ti – with sporty cosmetic tweaks. Honda wants us to think of the Civic Ti as a ‘Sporty’ Civic – despite no changes to the power or chassis – so they’ve bolted a set of ‘Le Mans’ Alloys from Team Dynamics on to the new Civic Ti – the same suppliers that give Honda wheels for their BTCC cars. As well as the alloys, the Civic Ti gets colour coded wheel arches, a leather steering wheel and gear knob and stuff from the Civic 1.8 litre i-VTEC SE on which it’s based including Climate, AUX and USB, steering wheel controls for audio and electric windows.

Mazda MX-5 gets a spruce up

The Mazda MX-5 is one of our favourite fun cars. It evokes all the joy of the cracking little British Roadsters of the past, like Austin Healeys, Triumph TRs, Lotus Elans and even older Morgans and XK Jags. It does it by being simple, efficient and fun to drive.