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Volvo Plug-In Hybrid by 2012

Volvo are working on a plug in Hybrid for 2012 offerng 50g/km Co2 emissions Laudable though this intent is, it’s a little like the Vauxhall / Opel Ampera – it relies on technology that doesn’t yet exist to deliver what it promises. But to get things moving, Volvo are going to be running a number of Volvo V70 diesel-electric Hybrids round Europe this year, to guage customer feedback and try to establish exactly what the consumer wants. They also want to establish exactly what the consumer can live with in terms of ‘Re-fuelling’.

Citroën Cactus concept with Air Bump technology confirmed for Frankfurt debut [w/Video]

Citroën's Cactus concept featuring a mysterious sounding 'Air Bump' technology will be taking center stage at the carmaker's stand at this year's Frankfurt motor show. The carmaker has released just one image of the concept along with a 21-second video (see left) showing a spongy panel labeled ‘Air Bump' being poked. Although this doesn't really tell us much about what this new technology actually does, we suspect the panels featured in the video are inserted into the bumper and can protect it from the smaller-scale collisions that can happen in everyday life.

Whos Where: Peter Schreyer to head Kia Design

In what's regarded as a major boost for Korean car maker Kia, it has been confirmed that Peter Schreyer will be moving from Volkswagen AG to lead Kia's global design operation. Schreyer will oversee the design activities of the company's regional design centers in Frankfurt, Los Angeles and Tokyo as well as the Namyang Design Center in Korea. While Schreyer's move to Kia comes across as a big surprise for many within automotive design circles, his departure from Volkswagen doesn't.