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Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

B.R.A.K.E.S. teen driving school's western debut a smash hit

All four classes of the teen driving school B.R.A.K.E.S. were packed last weekend as 160 teens age 16 to 18 from all over Southern California took part in the school's West Coast debut. "It's a lot more intense than I expected," said 18-year-old Dylan Wright, who spent part of the morning flinging a Dodge Avenger sideways on a wetted-down skidpad.

Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe

Korea's largest automaker is poised to unveil the Concept Genesis Coupe at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show next week. Though these sketches are admittedly exaggerated, the coupe uses the concept Genesis sedan, unveiled it the 2007 New York International Auto Show in April, as the basis for the structure. According to our sources, the sporting coupe concept hints at the forthcoming design direction for a future rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Hyundai called the BK, a luxurious sport coupe specifically for North American market.