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Designer insights: highlights of Auto Design Prague 2014

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, might not seem the most obvious choice for an automotive design conference. But when one considers the country's history of innovation in the arts and architecture, its long-lived automotive marques like Tatra and Skoda, and Prague's central location in Europe, it makes perfect sense. Conference speakers included the program design director for Citroën DS, Ivo Groen; Volvo vice president of design Thomas Ingenlath; Jaguar advanced design director, Julian Thomson; Gert Hildebrand, head of design for Qoros; and Johann Lemercier, program manager at Ferrari design.

Lotus Evora Facelift heading for Frankfurt

Lotus Evora Facelift expected at Frankfurt based on the Mansory Evora (above) It’s a ‘back to reality’ story from Lotus, for a change, with the news that, possibly, they are going to take a facelift Lotus Evora to the Frankfurt Motor Show. Of course, we’ve been here before. Earlier in the year we reported that Lotus were taking an Evora with a facelift off to Geneva, but that turned out to be a Mansory version of the Evora, seemingly with the blessing of Lotus as it appeared on their stand.

SsangYong Korando Sports arrives

SsangYong has extended the appeal of their budget SUV Korando by launching the Korando Sports, a cross between a family car and a pick-up. Now SsangYong are pitching in to the Bob the Builder market with their take on vehicles like the Mitsubishi L200 (which has just been given a five year warranty by Mitsubishi) with the SsangYong Korando Sports. The Korando Sports is a double cab pickup with four doors and five seats that SsangYong says offers a working vehicle with 4WD, 2.3 tonne towing capacity and all the appointments of a family car.