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Videos: Volkswagen's exterior and interior designers highlight the Up's design elements

We've enjoyed the design of Volkswagen's new Up since we first saw the vehicle in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Devoid of any extraneous detailing, the simple, product design aesthetic is pared back to represent the crux of VW's design philosophy: pure, simple and solid.  The result is a harmonious design that stands out from the pack, with simple surfacing and subtle detailing; the Up's design is pure and minimalistic, which serves to exude quality in the product. Inside, the vehicle is brimming with space-saving design details.  From an IP devoid of central air vents to a thin headrest that visually extends the height of the interior, the Up is a success story in space efficiency, but it is also finished to a high level using quality materials.

CAR's review of 2009: photos of the year

CAR designers Andy Franklin and Alex Tapley have pored over our photographers' output from 2009 and announced their favourite pictures of the year. We've set up a slideshow in the player below and you can flick back and forwards through CAR Magazine's best photos. CAR's famous for the quality of its photography and it's a tradition we're happy to uphold.

Renault Alpine A110-50 at Monaco? Possibly, but surely this isn’t it.

Is this a new Renault Alpine (left), or a Photoshopped Renault DeZir (right)? The rumour mill says Renault will revive Alpine with a tribute to the A110 – the Alpine A110-50. But the photo doing the rounds surely isn’t it.