Changes at Nissan Design

Nissan yesterday announced a series of changes within its higher-level design structure - with VPs responsible for design in Europe and America effectively swapping roles. Alfonso Albaisa, who became VP of Design at Nissan Design Europe's London-based studio in 2007, will be going back to Nissan Design America's San Diego studio as VP of Design. It marks a return to the West Coast for Albaisa, who originally joined Nissan in 1988.

Kia GT could spawn Coupe and Estate

Kia GT could spawn 2 door coupe and estate variants The Kia GT Concept from Frankfurt is heading for production in 2013, and it looks like it could be joined by a Coupe and Estate. It’s not just Hyundai who are starting to push in to the luxury and performance territory currently dominated by the Germans, sister company Kia is getting in on the act too, with cars like the very convincing Kia GT we saw at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year. The Kia GT is a four-door swoopy coupe with RWD and a 3.3 litre turbo V6 kicking out 390bhp, 394lb/ft of torque and looking every bit as convincing as anything that could be considered competition.

Skoda Fabia RS 2000 (2011): the open-air hot-hatch

Skoda is the latest of the VW Group brands to unveil a showcar at the 30th annual Worthersee GTI festival in Reifnitz, Austria. Earlier in the week Audi unveiled their bloodshot-eyed meanie, the A1 Clubsport Quattro concept. Now the value-brand VW makers from Mlada Boleslav have unveiled the Fabia RS 2000.