Renault spy scandal: Former COO 'had to leave'

Patrick Pelata fell on his sword to save his boss and friend -- and maybe his company. Pelata, often called one of the industry's best product strategists, was part of a small team of executives Carlos Ghosn brought to Nissan Motor Co. in 1999 after Renault bought a controlling stake in the Japanese company.

Group 2 Dodge Challenger echoes past SCCA racers

Among muscle cars--even among Dodge Challengers, new or old--the Classic Design Concepts Group 2 Challenger stands out. Winner of the Chrysler Design Excellence Award at the 2008 Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas last November, the Group 2 Challenger moves from concept to production this month as Michigan-based Classic Design Concepts begins building its version of the Dodge performance coupe. The Group 2 appearance package, inspired by the wide-body SCCA Trans-Am Group 2 race cars of the 1960s and '70s, includes custom carbon-composite lightweight front fenders and billboard-style rear fenders, aerodynamic front spoiler wings, Group 2 badging and mongo 20-inch wheels and tires.

Visteon unveils C-Beyond concept

Car Design News was recently invited to a preview of Visteon's C-Beyond concept, which makes its full debut at the Paris motor show in September. Based on a Citroën C4 Picasso, the C-Beyond is a showcase for new technologies – primarily focused on the car's interior, which permit a degree of flexibility and design expression. The C-Beyond simply looks like a C4 Picasso that incorporates new LED lighting technology.