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College Exhibition: Institut Superieur de Design 2009

Valenciennes in northern France might not be the most glamorous of French towns but it's been quietly turning out transportation design graduates for over 20 years. The Institute Superieur de Design (ISD) isn't as well-known as Strate or Creapole in Paris, nevertheless it has a growing reputation as one of the most focused design schools in Europe with an enviable record of internships and employment of its graduates. Last month CDN was invited to join the final assessments of this year's graduate cohort.

Ford speed-limiter option becomes more popular in Europe

An adjustable speed limiter ranks high on the popularity list with Ford buyers in Europe. Ford says it sold more than 220,000 cars with the system last year on the Continent. The take rate has been particularly high on the Mondeo sedan (86 percent), the S-Max wagon (85 percent) and the Kuga SUV (83 percent).

Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV previews the MLC, Mercedes’ take on the BMW X6

The Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV (pictured) preview the new MLC The arrival of a Mercedes MLC – a coupe version of the ML – has been clearly signalled for some time but now, with the debut of the Mercedes Concept Coupe SUV at the Beijing Motor Show, we get the first clear sight of Mercedes SUV/SAV to rival the BMW X6. The Concept Coupe SUV may be a coupe version of the Mercedes ML, but its a far more glitzy, design-led SUV than the rather boxy ML with lots of curves and contours and a surprising amount of glass. A huge statement nose with lots of bling and an oversized 3-pointed star dominate the front of the Coupe SUV, a dramatic coupe roofline, contoured flasks, big 22″ alloys and a back end that takes design cues from the new S-Class Coupe but with slim lights that extend the full width of the car.