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Dongfeng Aeolus A60

Dongfeng Aeolus A60 is set to go on sale in the Chinese market this month for the first time. The car, which uses the platform of the Dongfeng Nissan Bluebird Sylphy, features large headlamps that flank the chrome-topped front grille, creating a DRG reminiscent of its predecessor, the Aeolus A30 as well as some European and American sedans. A rising beltline runs from front to rear, lengthening the appearance of the car and addin a more dynamic character to waht is a very conventinal three-box sedan.

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport Limited Editions announced

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport Limited Editions announced January isn’t the hottest sales month for car makers, so a limited edition or two to get footfall in car showrooms is a good idea. So Skoda has revealed a pair of Rapid special editions for the UK in the Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport to put a bit of extra fizz in sales. The Skoda Rapid SE Connect starts life as a a Rapid SE with the 85bhp 1.2 litre petrol engine and comes in either Brilliant Silver or Denim Blue with 16″ alloys, parking sensors, SatNav and DAB.

Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.