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Saab: 'we will sell new 9-3 architecture to others'

Saab won’t only buy in technology from other manufacturers, but will sell its own Phoenix platform (which will underpin the next 9-3) to car companies as well. That’s the message from Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson and Spyker CEO Victor Muller. CAR has just sat down with the pair at the LA auto show, so read on for more.

Suzuki refreshes Swift with five-door Sport and 4x4 model

Suzuki is offering its cracking little warm hatch, the Swift Sport, with five doors for 2013. The family-friendly model shares its powertrain with the three-door Swift CAR ran (and loved) as a long termer last year – that means a naturally aspirated, 1.6-litre engine good for 134bhp, a six-speed manual gearbox and 0-62mph in 8.7sec. Suzuki says it expects one-third of Swift Sport customers to opt for the five-door model – sales have so far averaged 1200 a year in the UK.

Ford streamlines design process with latest 3D technologies

Ford has released details of its use of new digital technologies in streamlining its design process. Designers use what they call the 3D CAVE – Computer Automated Virtual Environment – to recreate a car's interior by projecting images onto the large white walls and roof. 3D polarizing glasses framed with motion sensors are used to transport them into the car's virtual interior.