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AW Design Forum: Nissan design boss challenges cookie-cutter design

Using provocative words such as “guilty” and “fearful,” Nissan Design America chief Bruce Campbell was blunt in his assessment of the current state of car styling: There's too much sameness. Speaking at the AW Design Forum on Thursday morning in Detroit, Campbell pulled no punches, pointing to the bad economy, global design--and fear--as reasons for blandness in sheetmetal. “We are guilty of this sameness.

Video: The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo concept build process

Porsche has released a video featuring Style Director Michael Mauer charting the design process of the Panamera Sport Turismo concept. The 10-minute YouTube video, which also features General Manager Advanced Design Style Mitja Rorkert, follows the build process through each modeling phase right up until the presentation of the show car at this year's Paris motor show. "It always presents a special challenge when we develop a new kind of car for the Porsche brand," says Mauer, "precisely because we haven't been in the segment before, and the question of whether it matches the Porsche brand always looms in the background." We were impressed at the Panamera Sport Turismo concept's unveiling, particularly with its stance and detail execution, so the video is a chance to see just how this concept came into being.

New Porsche 911 Turbo gets a bigger engine and cranks out 500 hp

There are plenty of good reasons to go to the Frankfurt motor show in September, but this seals the deal--Porsche will use the show for the rollout of the new 911 Turbo in coupe and convertible versions. Porsche on Friday gave us photos and details on the newest 911. Here are the high points: -- New 3.8-liter flat-six engine rated at 500 hp.