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Suzuki X-Lander concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Anyone out there remember the Smart Crossblade – a bizarre roofless version of the first generation Smart Fortwo with very little in the way of doors. Well, whatever the designers of that were taking, Suzuki’s been having a go on it, too. Meet the X-Lander hybrid concept.

6th l'argus Design Competition announced

This week French magazine L'argus de l'automobile launches its 6th Utility Vehicle European Design competition. The contest runs until the 5th November, with the task to design a new commercial vehicle on the theme: "How to optimize urban goods delivery in large cities". Traffic flow is an issue for most of today's cities.

VW Phaeton - the new one coming in 2015

A brand new Volkswagen Phaeton Mk2 will be launched in 2015, based on a new architecture being masterminded by cousins Audi. Dubbed VW631, the new VW Phaeton will be based on MLM Evo (modular longitudinal matrix) which makes provision for a plug-in hybrid option, an aluminium-intensive body structure and a much more advanced and less nose-heavy dynamic layout. Although VW chairman Martin Winterkorn has in the past black-flagged the Avantissimo (A8-based) and the Passat Variant Plus (A6-derived), there is still a lot to be said for a second more practical bodystyle in addition to the four-door notch which is almost compulsory in this segment.