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Volvo Concept XC Coupé shows how new design language translates to SUVs

Volvo's Concept CX Coupé has been revealed in a set of images ahead of its debut at January's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The crossover SUV is the second of three concepts to be developed with Volvo's new design language under vice president of design Thomas Ingenlath, following the launch of the Volvo Concept Coupé in Frankfurt earlier this year. It's understood the new XC90 is coming next year and so this concept is certain to feature some of the elements we can expect to see on the production model.

Who's Where: Walter de'Silva appointed Head of VW Group Design

Volkswagen has just announced that Walter de'Silva, 55, has been appointed Head of Volkswagen Group Design. Since March 2002, de'Silva has been Head of Design at the now discontinued Audi brand group. There, in addition to supervising the Audi brand design, he was also in charge of Seat and Lamborghini.

Honda back in F1 as engine supplier to McLaren from 2015

We reported that Honda were looking likely to be heading back in to F1 as engine supplier to McLaren nearly two years ago, and this morning Honda has confirmed they have formed a joint project with McLaren to supply engines and energy recovery systems to McLaren from 2015 in a joint project with the McLaren team becoming McLaren Honda. The new F1 partnership revives a very successful period for McLaren when it last used Honda engines and Prost and Senna dominated F1 with Honda powered McLarens, and fits in nicely with Honda’s return to making supercars with the new Honda NSX. Formula One engines will drop to a 1.6 litre V6 in 2015 – with a turbo – and it will be very easy for parallels to be drawn with the V6 hybrid plant Honda are using on the new NSX, which is going to do its credibility no harm whatsoever.