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Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

Spyker B6 Venator Spyder Concept at Pebble Beach 2013

You might know Spyker for trying to rescue Saab a few years back, but the independent Dutch brand actually has a history stretching back well before the now defunct Swedish brand started. Spyker was born in 1880 as a carriage builder and repairer and built its first car in 1898. Its latest is the 2013 B6 Venator Spyder Concept unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours.

Renault Captur Compact SUV production version teased

Renault has started the tease for their Clio Crossover – likely the Renault Captur – ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The booming market for compact crossovers to blat round our congested urban landscape sees car maker scrabbling to offer up a product that can take the fight to cars like the Nissan Juke, and Renault’s offering in the market will arrive at the Geneva Motor Show in March – the Renault Captur. Before you get too excited, the production version of the Renault Captur appears to have little in common with the Captur Concept we saw at Geneva in 2011 – except for the name – and looks likely to be nothing more than a high-riding Clio 4 with added butchness.