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Interior Motives China Conference 2010: Day 1

Despite Europe being grounded due to volcanic ash, the third Interior Motives China conference got underway in Beijing with a record number of delegates and speakers – proof, as if it were needed, that this event is now one of the most important in the global car design calendar. This year's theme was 'New brands and the search for a design identity', and among the audience were young Chinese designers keen to learn more about international car design techniques, as well as veteran western designers hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the market they are creating vehicles for.  Session 1: The Market for Design Edward Wong, Director of Transportation Design at China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), set the mood for the conference in his long, flowing 'Chang San' robe (very traditional Chinese attire). He opened the conference and invited panellists to share their views on what China's needs are and explore what makes the market so unique.

Want wagons? Kill the crossover

Cadillac boss Bob Ferguson recently told Automotive News that GM is considering an ATS wagon. Autoweek contributor and GM big shot Mark Reuss is on record speaking in favor of wagons. And whether they know it or not, American car buyers need a station wagon, but not a wagon built to satisfy station-wagon fetishists.

Zonda R officially unveiled

Pagani Zonda R – Only for the track With the Zonda about to bite the dust for an all new model in 2010/2011, Zonda has officially revealed the Zonda’s swansong – the track-only Zonda R. Looking like a super-version of the Zonda F (although with only 10% of the same components) the 7.3 litre AMG engined track car produces a huge 750 bhp, with a 0-60 of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 250mph. A complete new carbon fibre monocoque, carbon fibre intakes, a 6-speed sequential ‘box and an F1-style exhaust make this the meanest Zonda to hit the road (or the track, in this case).