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Gilles Vidal on Peugeot's Design Direction

Peugeot's new 508 sedan and sport wagon unveiled in detail last week represent not only a new pair of family cars to compete against the likes of the Ford Mondeo and Opel/Vauxhall Insignia but the start of a new design direction for the brand. When asked whether he was going to kill off the brand's current low-down big and gapey grille graphic for something more subtle across its whole production range new director of style at Peugeot, Gilles Vidal exclusively told Car Design News: "Yes... definitely.

Who's Where: Frank Stephenson to move to Fiat

Frank Stephenson, Director of Ferrari-Maserati Concept Design and Development, is to move to Fiat to become Head of the Fiat, Lancia and Commercial Vehicle Styling Centre, based in Turin. Fiat Auto has seen a number of senior management changes within the last week, as part of an overall restructuring of the group. These include the appointment of Karl Heinz Kalbfell, Chief Operating Officer of Alfa Romeo, who is to become Chief Executive Officer of Maserati and replace Martin Leach who is now leaving the Company.

Volvo makes breakthrough in battery tech

Volvo has developed a new way of ‘storing’ energy for its future electric vehicles. The Swedish firm is exploring the concept of lightweight structural energy storage components made from carbonfibre, containing “nano structured batteries and super capacitors.” This technology is said to offer a lighter, more compact solution to the problem of energy storage, potentially removing the need for the heavy, bulky batteries used in current electric vehicles. On Bing: see pictures of the Volvo S80 Find out how much a used Volvo S80 costs on Auto Trader The investigation into the new technology is part of an EU-funded research project, undertaken by Volvo – the only major car manufacturer involved – and nine other organisations.