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Video: Yasushi Nakamuta on Mazda 3's 'unique' design process

It may be leaden with PR-talk but this short presentation by Yasushi Nakamuta, Mazda's director of advanced design studio at the press unveiling of the new Mazda 3 in Melbourne is still worth a couple of minutes of your time. But while the 3 is undeniably attractive we can't help but feel that the 'unique' design process Nakamuta describes (which appears wholly conventional to us) has resulted in little more than a thoroughly normal product. Take a look for yourself at the video to your left.

2014 Subaru XV – less choice, more refinement

The 2014 Subaru XV (pictured) gets a bit of a tweak The Subaru XV arrived in the UK in 2012, and it’s a perfectly able and reasonably-priced compact crossover from Subaru. But within a year of launching the XV Subaru decided to inject a bit more appeal in to the XV with a price cut of £2,300 across the range and now, not more than six months later, they’re fiddling with the XV range again. The 2.0 litre petrol XV gets new valve-train components to cut engine noise and revised suspension, with extra soundproofing improving NVH levels across the range, a revised power steering system for added stability and feel  and thicker and reshaped suspension lower arm and extra reinforcement around the base of the A-Pillar for better crash performance.

2012 Chevrolet Corvette upgrades focus on track performance

To keep up on the track with the Vipers and Super Snakes of the world, Chevrolet has upgraded the Corvette for 2012. There's no change to the engines or their output for 2012, but you will shave a few seconds off your lap times with the newly optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Zero Pressure tire. Only offered on the Z06 and ZR1 models, the package includes the tires, 285/30-19 in front and 335/25-20 rear, and lightweight aluminum Cup-style wheels in satin black or machined finishes.