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Exclusive: Pierre Castinel resigns from Head of Design role at Tata

Tata's Head of Design, Pierre Castinel, has resigned from his post to accept a position at PSA, Car Design News has learned. Castinel was originally hired to develop the design direction and form a brand identity for Tata's full line of vehicles, including cars, pickups, SUVs, MPVs, trucks and buses, but things haven't been going well at the Indian automaker. According to insiders, Tata closed Castinel's design studio in the British midlands last year, forcing the UK-based team to move into the automaker's engineering center in Warwickshire.

Martini Mustang makes more with less weight

The Martini Mustang is based on a supposition. “Suppose Ford executives had a chance business meeting with the owner of Martini Racing,” wondered Steve Strope, founder of Pure Vision Designs in Simi Valley, Calif. “This meeting could have taken place during a European F1 or rally race, perhaps.

Audi R8 spyder appears headed for Frankfurt show

The much-anticipated Audi R8 spyder likely will make its world debut in production guise at the Frankfurt motor show in September. The drop-top version of the head-turning German supercar would share mechanicals with the coupe, which offers a V8 making 420 hp and a V10 with 525 hp. The R8 has a mid-engine layout and channels power to the ground with all-wheel drive.