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Mazda outlines weight-loss program

Mazda Motor Corp. will reduce its vehicle weights by at least 220 pounds beginning in 2011, with a combination of lighter-weight materials, smaller vehicle footprints and new engineering processes, a top executive says. The typical Mazda vehicle has gained 80 pounds with each successive redesign, “mostly in larger tires and wheels, and safety equipment,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president of product development and quality for Mazda North American Operations.

Renault R-Space concept car (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

Renault will show off a glimpse of its thinking for the Scenic segment with the new R-Space concept car at the 2011 Geneva motor show. It’s a 4.3m long show car that’s designed to inject some pizzazz where today’s Scenic prefers a more sober style. The new-fangled Renault look as pioneered by incoming design chief Laurens van den Acker is present and correct: there’s a large diamond on the nose and heaps more character than the current MPV.

Hyundai ix-Metro, first hybrid and electric car

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 September 2009 00:01 Hyundai is taking aim at Nissan's Qazana with its new ix-Metro concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. The compact utility vehicle is one of a burgeoning number of small 4x4s in the pipeline – and is set for production within two years. The Hyundai ix-Metro will drop its BL/Rover inspired name and instead adopt the ix-15 or ix-25 moniker when production starts, slotting in neatly under the new, Tucson-replacing ix-35.