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Chris Bangle begins work with Changan Automobile on its design strategy and methodology

Chris Bangle is to consult with Changan Automobile to help develop its design strategy and processes in his first official automotive project since leaving BMW in 2009. Bangle – through his company Chris Bangle Associates (CBA) – will work with Changan's team in its European design center in Turin, Italy, reporting to design director Chen Zheng. And while his role will be linked to the brand's Chinese products, his focus will be on the design team's methodologies and philosophy; its management and its process of critique, rather than the hands-on design of its products.

McLaren 650s Configurator goes live

The McLaren 650S Configurator The new McLaren 650S arrived at the Geneva Motor Show last week – and as the 650S Spider too – and looks, and performs, far better than the 12C. That seems to point to the McLaren 12C being allowed to whither on the vine as McLaren’s customers opt for the new 650S instead of the 12C – even with a price difference heading towards £20k – although officially you can still buy a 12C (although we hear 12C production has been halted). We hear McLaren have already built a number of 650S models and now they’ve even got the 650S Configurator up on their website so customers – and dreamers – can spec up their new 650S.

July Debut For Citroen’s New C1 City Car

THE BATTLE for hearts and minds in the city has just got hotter with the launch of Citroen’s second generation C1 urban runabout. Although the diminutive French hatch shares much with its Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo stablemates, the C1’s bold new exterior look shares more with recent arrivals such as the firm’s new Picasso people carrier. On sale in July, UK buyers will be able to choose from three trim levels with prices ranging from £8,245 for the entry-level Touch to £11,935 for the range-topping Flair.