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Volkswagen’s budget brand close to production (2013)

VW is approaching the critical phase of its plan to launch a range of aggressively priced base products. How aggressive? Well, we´re looking at €7000 for a four-door family saloon, €7500 for a boxy estate and about €8000 for a basic MPV.

Concept Car of the Week: Mazda Ibuki (2003)

With the Ibuki, Mazda designers synthesized the most successful of the first generation MX-5's iconic elements and evolved their forms to make them even more memorable and simple. To do so, they used a strong geometric theme throughout the car inside and out: LED headlamps; front air intake; tail lamps; rear view mirrors; release handles and interior details down to the pedals – every shape follow the same oval theme. Zooming out, the silhouette – as well as the top view – is also oval, making the Ibuki look more like a toy than a car, which is a real bonus for a small roadster.

SPD Workshop with Chris Bangle

Famed designer Chris Bangle will be hosting a four-day workshop at the Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) in Milan, Italy this summer, following on from last year's successful workshop series. The university has announced that it will be holding the workshops from 9 July to 15 July, revolving around a theme entitled: 'An Endeavor in Discontinuity: Exterior Car Design of the Future'. The workshop is billed as a unique design experience, which will allow participants from all over the world to work in close contact with one of the most innovative designers of the current scene.