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Ferrari California (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 29 May 2008 08:30 This is the Ferrari California – the new 2+2 GT unveiled today. There’s a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, a 454bhp 4.3-litre V8 with direct injection, a folding metal roof and space for four. Right, concrete numbers on the Ferrari California please… The engine is a 4300cc V8, using the existing block from the F430 but with a new head to accommodate direct injection. It’s the first time Ferrari has used DI and helps the California produce 454bhp at a heady 7500rpm.

Who's Where: Mamoru Aoki and Koji Nagano promoted to Nissan executive design directors

Mamoru Aoki and Koji Nagano have been promoted to Nissan executive design directors, reporting to head of design Shiro Nakamura. Mamoru Aoki is now responsible for the design and development of all Nissan brand passenger and electric vehicles as well as design strategy and is based at the carmaker's Design Center in Atsugi, Japan. Koji Nagano – previously design director at Infiniti – now manages the design development of the new Datsun brand and Nissan brand light commercial vehicles.

Former General Motors CEO Robert Stempel dies

Former General Motors CEO Robert Stempel, who led the automaker during a turbulent period of recession and restructuring in the early 1990s, has died at the age of 77. "Bob was a very popular chairman with employees, and his many accomplishments as a visionary engineer included leading the development of the catalytic converter, one of the great environmental advancements in auto history," GM said in a statement. "His knowledge of battery development led to the push for the EV1 electric car, and Bob continued to build his expertise in the electrification of the automobile after he left GM in 1992." Stempel died Saturday in Florida, the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press reported Monday night.