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Future products: Kia seeks lively, upscale look

Kia's redesigned Optima sedan and the Cadenza replacement for the Amanti, both due next year, reflect an emphasis on creating a livelier and more upscale look for the once-bland brand. Indeed, styling has been a crucial element of Kia's new-product push in the past 18 months. The team at Kia Design Center America near Los Angeles--part of the automaker's global design network led by onetime Audi design chief Peter Schreyer--has helped set the new styling direction.

Dacia Duster launched

Dacia has launched the Duster in to the European market Dacia is Renault’s Romanian brand and produces its own cars mostly based on Renault underpinnings. It currently offers none of its cars in the UK, but that could change with the Duster, although the initial roll-out doesn’t include RHD versions. The budget conscious Dacia Duster is Renault’s budget arm’s take on a budget, compact SUV.

Autoweek in review: Sergio Pininfarina dies; ZL1 and GT500 hit the drag strip

The automotive world lost one of its most influential figures this week. Sergio Pininfarina, longtime chairman of his family's Italian design firm, died on July 2 after an undisclosed illness. He was 85 years old.