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2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK revealed

Following its premature unveiling in a French-language marketing video late last year, Mercedes-Benz has now issued official photographs of the new SLK. Set to make its debut at the German carmaker's 125th birthday celebrations in Stuttgart at the end of January--prior to North American sales beginning this summer--the popular two-seat roadster was thoroughly re-engineered with a new rear-wheel-drive platform and more contemporary engine and gearbox combinations. The car will make its auto-show debut in Geneva.

Gilles Vidal: innovative materials key to Peugeot's future

Future Peugeots will be defined by their use of materials in a bid to shift the brand upmarket, according to design director Gilles Vidal. Raw, unprocessed materials, he says, will not only prove more ecologically sound, but also more engaging. And his plans don't stop there.

Exclusive First Sight: Pininfarina Sergio concept

Upon receiving the call from Pininfarina's PR man, asking if Car Design News would like to head to Torino for a preview of its latest concept car (not a hard offer to accept), we had no other information than its name – Sergio – and an abstract teaser shot of a detail. Driving through lovely, crumbly Turin, and out into the zona industriale towards Pininfaina's Cambiano base, the fear strikes: what if the car's a disappointment? What if it's simply some unremarkable supermini – maybe even an electric one?