Volvo S60 Polestar Gothenburg debut

The Volvo S60 Polestar – a BMW M3 basher – is due to debut in Gothenburg on 16th June 2012 and could get as much as 500bhp. Yes, Volvo are busy downsizing their engines and trying to up the quality perception of their cars at the same time, in an aim to join the proper premium club inhabited by the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar. But that doesn’t mean Volvo should forsake performance in their cars, because even if performance models are not the bread and butter for premium car makers they are the golden halo that casts a premium gloss on lesser models.

Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo brought to life by Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo brought to life by Mercedes-Benz The new Gran Turismo 6 is a big deal (out on 6th December) and Mercedes-Benz are making sure they’re able to grab a bit of the glory by building a full scale concept of the Mercedes AMG Vision Gran Turismo Supercar. The Vision Gran Turismo car has been created by Mercedes design team without the constraints of the real world, so we get a Mercedes supercar that goes a little beyond practical realities. There’s a great big statement grill that looks like an evolution of a 1950s Mercedes racer, a long bonnet, a compact cabin area and a back end with a tapered roof construct and huge bulging arches.

Exclusive: Phil Zak appointed Chief Designer at Hyundai America (updated)

Phillip A Zak will become the new Chief Designer at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, California, filling the role previously held by former GM designer Joel Piaskowski who left Hyundai to become Head of Advanced Design at Mercedes-Benz's North American Design Center in January of this year. Zak joins Hyundai from his previous role as head of exterior design at GM Europe - a post he has held since August 2007 - and will work in parallel to European Chief Designer Thomas Buerkle (who worked at BMW before joining the Korean automaker), developing vehicles for the North American market. As is the case with Buerkle, Zak will report to Hyundai Design Director Mr.