Howe H3044 Double Barrel Muffler on 2040-parts.com

Dacia Duster is Scottish Car of the Year 2012

The Dacia Duster SUV has garnered its first award in the UK – before it even hits showrooms – winning the Scottish Car of the Year 2012. Top car awards should be for cars that are available for buyers to walk in and grab from their local dealer, and they must bring something that’s not just new, but better too. We’re not sure where that leaves the winner of the 2012 Scottish Car of the Year – the Dacia Duster – as it’s hardly a ground-breaking car and it’s not on sale yet.

Who's Where: Christopher Weil becomes head of Mini exterior design, Marcus Syring head of Rolls-Royce exteriors

An internal reshuffle in Munich has seen Christopher Weil appointed head of exterior design for Mini, replacing Marcus Syring who takes up a similar position at Rolls-Royce. The changes see Weil return to Munich after just over a year as director of automotive design at BMW DesignworksUSA in LA. His portfolio includes the BMW 328 Hommage, F30 3 Series, 5 Series GT, current 7 Series and 4 Series.

Trio of Mitsubishi concepts bound for Tokyo

Mitsubishi is bringing three new concepts to next month's Tokyo motor show, the first to be developed with the automaker's ‘@earth' design philosophy. The carmaker says the three will emphasize Mitsubishi's engineering and advanced technologies that embody environmental responsibility, driving pleasure, toughness and safety. Concept GC-PHEV is a full-size SUV that uses a high output PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) system and is billed as a ‘connected car' offering preventive safety technology, wireless connectivity and driver support.