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Pumped up Chevy previews new Lacetti

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 07 September 2006 08:47 Chevrolet has issued this sneak preview of its forthcoming family hatch – disguised as a World Touring Car. Disregard the pram handle wing, snowplough undertray and steroidal wheelarch extensions, and you have the car to replace the current Lacetti in around 2008. The production model should use GM's next-generation Delta platform, which will also underpin the next Astra and a proposed Saab hot hatch.

Skoda MissionL

Skoda is the latest manufacturer to join the queue of those releasing teaser shots ahead of the 64th Frankfurt motor show next week. Following on from the somewhat understated VisionD shown in Geneva ealier this year, is the MissionL. Unlike the VisionD, the MissionL concept is said to be close to a final production-ready design that will be launched through Europe, Russia and China.

Nissan opens new design studio in Beijing

Delayed by the deadly earthquake that hit Japan earlier this year, Nissan Motor Co.'s new design center in Beijing finally received a proper opening this week, when global design chief Shiro Nakamura showed off the studio as a new source of ideas for Nissan and Infiniti. Nissan Design China, as the Beijing-based center is known, "is not a studio to just generate ideas for China," Nakamura said in an interview with Car Design News. It's equipped to handle designs of show cars and production cars for both Nissan and Infiniti brands, aimed at customers in China, as well as around the world.