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When car design meets Art Nouveau

Gray Design has revealed a new concept car called the Nouvair, inspired by the Art Nouveau design movement. The Nouvair, a retro-looking coupé complete with a long hood and trailing rear end, takes inspiration from the techniques and flowing lines favored by one of the pioneers of the movement, Czech painter and decorative artist Alphonse Mucha. Despite the release of five pictures, Gray Design didn't reveal any technical details, just confirmation of its name and its inspiration.

Who's Where: BMW Group reorganizes Design operations

BMW Group has announced changes to its design organization, in keeping with the company's stronger focus on its brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce. Under the overall direction of Chris Bangle, Director of BMW Group Design, brand specific design studios have been set up for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, as well as for the areas BMW Motorrad and BMW M. These new brand studios will accompany the entire development process for new models from the first sketches to the start of production.

Volvo and Polestar offer post-sale software upgrades

Volvo's performance arm, Polestar, will offer software upgrades for the T6 and 2.5T engines that will increase horsepower and torque. The upgrade should calm Volvo fans who missed out on the limited-edition Polestar C30. For the T6 engine in the 2010 Volvo XC60 and 2009-2010 XC70 Polestar will offer a bump in output from 281 hp to 311 hp.