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Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing IS going in to production

The Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing (pictured) is going in to ;imited production Last week Citroen revealed a cabrio version of the DS3 Racing – innovatively named the Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing – which was a DS3 Racing with the top chopped off and lots of special design cues. The Cabrio Racing had its first outing this weekend at Goodwood – and is heading for a more public reveal at Frankfurt in September – even though Citroen are calling the Cabrio Racing a Concept. But it seems the Cabrio Racing is more than just a concept and is heading for limited production after Citroen confirmed as much to Auto Express over the weekend.

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 (2010) first details

Peugeot has released details of its new 3008 Hybrid4, the world's first hybrid production car with a diesel engine under the bonnet. So far all car makers dabbling in hybrid technology have plumped for petrol engines, primarily on the grounds of cost and the fact that countries such as the US, Japan and many emerging markets still prefer unleaded to derv.We saw the concept 3008 Hybrid4 in 2009 at the Frankfurt motor show, and now Pug has turned it into reality. The Hybrid4 employs PSA's 2.0-litre oil-burner allied to an electric motor, and offers claimed fuel economy of 74mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km, slipping – just – under the 100g/km barrier.