Hyundai puts Michel Nandan in charge of WRC effort

Hyundai has appointed former Peugeot WRC technical director Michel Nandan to head up their assault on WRC. As Hyundai matures in to a credible mainstream force, improving brand perception is crucial to its long-term goals and 2012 is all about improving Hyundai’s brand experience and perceptions of the brand. A part of that focus is to take Hyundai back in to WRC rallying with a much modified i20, where Hyundai are hoping for a better experience than they had when they went rallying a decade ago – which should be a given considering the big strides Hyundai has made in its cars in the last few years.

Exclusive: Spyker drop Peking-Paris D12 in favour of D8

The Spyker Peking-Paris D8 will show at Frankfurt and cost just under £200k The Spyker Peking-Paris has been threatening to make its way in to production for what seems like a very long time now. However, Spyker has been beset by problems – mainly financial – for years, which has limited both their production and development capabilities, but recent investment from Russia has finally solved those problems, and Spyker is again starting to move forward. Cars UK has learnt that the clincher for the Russian investment was the investor’s love of the Peking-Paris, so with money in the kitty Spyker are pushing ahead with the car at speed.

Lexus to make its official Goodwood Festival of Speed debut in 2013

Lexus is to officially be a part of the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed and will show the 2013 Lexus LS, new GS and the LFA supercar. Lexus is working hard at the moment to make their cars more dynamic and more appealing to drivers – not just those looking for reliable, Japanese luxury, so what better way to get in front of those who cherish the ‘Drive’ than at Goodwood? So Lexus is tipping up at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July to be an official part of the best petrolhead festival – in the world – and take the opportunity to show their latest models, and a bit of Lexus supercar goodness too.