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Who's Where: Gert Hildebrand appointed Head of Design at Qoros Auto

Gert Hildebrand, former General Manager of Mini Design, was appointed Head of Design at Qoros Auto in January this year. In his new role, Hildebrand is responsible for overseeing a regeneration of the existing design and styling processes at the joint venture company, a collaboration between Qoros and Israel Corporation, which was founded in 2007. One of many high level designers making the transition to China, Hildebrand is is currently tasked with leading the creation of the new Qoros brand, which was unveiled at a presentation in Shanghai last week.

Mini Inspired By Goodwood (2011) first official pictures

It was only a matter of time before Mini and Rolls-Royce - the two most disparate points of the BMW group - joined forces on some special editions. And so it is that Mini will show the Mini Inspired By Goodwood at the 2011 Shanghai auto show. Just 1000 Minis Inspired By Goodwood will be built (in Oxford, not Goodwood), with worldwide sales starting in spring 2012.

Lexus IS 2011: the Estate returns – but Hybrid only

The Lexus IS SportCross - the 1st generation Lexus IS Estate The Lexus IS Range is Toyota’s answer to BMW’s 3 Series and Audi’s A4. And it does a very creditable job, particularly for those drivers for whom quality of finish and lots of toys are much further up the list than driving dynamics. But despite there originally being a Lexus IS Estate – the Lexus IS SportCross – when the IS first launched in 2000, Lexus saw fit to drop that when the current IS turned up in 2005.