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NHTSA safety consultant dies at 64

Miami trauma surgeon and preeminent car-crash researcher Jeffrey Augenstein would often tell the story of the time he was talking to a crash victim who collapsed and died from hidden injuries in the middle of the conversation. The experience led Augenstein to research and then call attention to the unexpected injuries that could occur when drivers interacted with airbags. It's but one example of the achievements of Augenstein, who died recently at age 64.

Volkswagen 'will build the XL1' - Piech

Volkswagen will build the radical 313mpg XL1 eco cigar in 2013, Ferdinand Piech revealed at the Qatar motor show. In an interview with Automotive News, the VW chairman said: 'We want to go into series production with this car starting in 2013.' He insisted it would go on sale to real people, not just as media demonstrators. And VW chief exec Martin Winterkorn added the XL1 would be sold in Europe first, then be rolled into the US and Chinese car markets.

Marcello Gandini laments today's 'fake' concepts

Marcello Gandini has branded current concept cars fakes and "little more than maquettes" in an interview about Bertone's extensive concept car history. The enigmatic designer, whose work with the design house stretches back to the late ‘60s, expressed his dislike of today's "fiberglass cars" and claims they can't hold a candle to the well-built concepts of old. He praises Nuccio Bertone's vision and his insistence on producing fully working, "almost driveable" concepts throughout the coachbuilder's existence.