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First Sight: Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe

The third installment of Mercedes-Benz's ‘small' car family will receive its global preview with a close-to-production concept set to debut at the Beijing motor show next week, but Car Design News has gained an early peek of the official images and details. The Concept Style Coupe heralds the much-vaunted ‘mini-CLS' compact four-door coupe production car (rumored to be dubbed BLS or CLA) that's slated to go on sale in the second half of 2013. It's based on the same new platform – called MFA for ‘Mercedes Front-wheel drive Architecture' – that has already spawned the new A- and B-Class cars.

Land Rover fomalizes deal with off-road partner Bowler

Land Rover finalized a deal with Bowler on Thursday that formalizes an existing arrangement as Bowler—a U.K.-based builder of rally raid cars—has been a working with Land Rover for more than a decade. Bowler competition vehicles will now compete with “Powered by Land Rover” badges, a slogan that will also be highlighted in customer and marketing events. Bowler will also get access to Land Rover parts and benefit from “technical and development support” from the firm.

Nissan NV2500 concept

Nissan North America today unveiled the NV2500 concept at its Technical Center headquarters in Michigan. The van concept provides a preview of Nissan's entry into the North American commercial market in 2010. "The Nissan NV2500 is a rolling idea lab - bringing a new perspective to the commercial vehicle segment," said Bruce Campbell, vice president of design for Nissan Design America, which developed the concept.