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Exclusive: Honda to Close European Design Studios

In a surprise announcement, Honda has decided to close design operations in Europe, based in Germany. The decision to shut down both the car design and motorcycle design studios of Honda R&D Europe (HRE-G) in Offenbach, near Frankfurt was taken at the end of September and came as a shock announcement to employees. It represents the latest casualty in cuts for the car design community.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (2010) bows in

The 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will be at the Frankfurt Motor Show As you can probably guess, the first thing the latest GT3 RS gets is a hike in power, courtesy of the move from the old naturally aspirated 3.6 litre to the 3.8 litre you get in the new 911 Turbo, minus the turbos. But that still gives you 450bhp – up 15bhp on the regular GT3 – all of which gets shoved through a shorter ratio six-speed manual box. No nancy-boy paddles shifters here.

Who's Where: Sangyup Lee to join VW Advanced Design

Sangyup Lee, designer of the acclaimed Chevrolet Camaro, has recently resigned from General Motors to accept a position as Chief Designer of Exterior at the Volkswagen/Audi Advanced studio in California. Lee is scheduled to begin work mid-January 2010, reporting to Jens Manske who was appointed  Executive Director earlier this year. His role is to inspire a newly merged Volkswagen and Audi design staff in the Santa Monica studio.  Mr.