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BMW announces DesignWorksUSA studio and ConnectedDrive lab in Shanghai

BMW has opened both a DesignWorks studio and a ConnectedDrive lab in Shanghai, China, as a means of gathering information and insight into the Chinese market as the company looks to increase its presence in Asia. Adrian van Hooydonk, Director BMW Group Design, said, "Creating this foothold for both BMW Group Design and DesignworksUSA in Shanghai is of great importance from both strategic and creative standpoints." President of BMW Group DesignWorksUSA Laurenz Schaffer said, "Our new studio in Shanghai places DesignworksUSA at the epicenter of the most rapidly growing and influential consumer market in the world and provides an indispensable resource for shaping our global perspectives for clients." The new studio will perform functions including product, transportation, automotive, environmental and interaction design; color, material and finish design; design communication, research and strategy as well as sustainability consulting. Designers from DesignworksUSA studio in Los Angeles, Munich and Singapore will supplement a local design team.

Alpina unveils B4 Bi-Turbo at Tokyo Motor Show

It didn't take long for German tuning house Alpina to debut its version of the new BMW 4-series, and they've chosen the Tokyo Motor Show to unveil the new model. Under the hood of the Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo is a 3.0-liter straight-six engine with two turbochargers, making 410 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. Alpina has tweaked the suspension a bit as well, installing their adaptive-sport suspension and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Camaro V6 gets power boost from integrated exhaust manifold

General Motors has managed to wring out more horsepower from its 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 and get better fuel economy, too. And the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro gets the benefits. It starts with the old Lotus adage of adding lightness.