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GMC Granite concept (w/ Video)

The biggest surprise at the 2010 NAIAS was GMC's Granite concept - a design that expands (or rather contracts) the truck/crossover brand's 'professional grade' philosophy to a compact hatchback aimed at urban hipsters and early adopters. Conceived by Frank Saucedo's Advanced Design team in California and then built at GM's Design Center in Detroit, the Granite combines the basic proportions of the Nissan Cube and Scion xB with a military/industrial feel inspired by the current G-Star and Diesel fashion lines. Watch the videos to the left to see the young international design team present the rationale behind the new concept, and read our opinion of the Granite in our 2010 Detroit Auto Show Highlights.

Peugeot Onyx Concept: Paris 2012

The Peugeot Onyx Supercar Concept is a concept that will never be built and based on the underpinnings of the Peugeot Le Mans car. So Paris 2012 gets treated to the appealing Peugeot Onyx – a Gallic Jaguar C-X75, if you like – looking sexy and sleek on the floor in Paris with its copper and carbon fibre body and use of unusual materials like crystal glass and compressed paper. But it seems, as if we didn’t already know, that Peugeot aren’t planning to build an Onyx supercar – or at least not in their current financial muddle - and have even nicked its underpinnings from their own Le Mans 24hr diesel engine car to give the Onyx some eco and supercar credibility.

Kia's chief designer seeks a sporty car to blow the doors off its image

Kia's design boss wants to add a sports car or convertible to lend more appeal to the brand. No such car is officially in the pipeline, said Peter Schreyer, Kia's chief design officer. Kia first needs to get on more solid footing, he said.