SEAT’s future model plans

SEAT Last week MSN Cars went to visit SEAT at its major base of operations – the Martorell factory in Spain. Here we spoke to CEO Juergen Stackmann and executive vice president for research and design Dr. Matthias Rabe about the brand’s future model plans.

Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

July Debut For Citroen’s New C1 City Car

THE BATTLE for hearts and minds in the city has just got hotter with the launch of Citroen’s second generation C1 urban runabout. Although the diminutive French hatch shares much with its Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo stablemates, the C1’s bold new exterior look shares more with recent arrivals such as the firm’s new Picasso people carrier. On sale in July, UK buyers will be able to choose from three trim levels with prices ranging from £8,245 for the entry-level Touch to £11,935 for the range-topping Flair.