Opel to Reveal Astra GTC Sport Hatch Concept at Paris Motor Show

General Motors' Opel division will reveal a concept version of the upcoming Astra GTC three-door sport hatch at next month's Paris Motor Show. Appropriately named "GTC Paris", the study will give us a taste of the production model that's planned to arrive in European showrooms during the first half of 2011.

The teaser you see pictured above is from the concept model's seats which are laser-etched with the phrase "And the speed was pure beauty" from Richard Bach's novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.

No other details were provided, but there's a good chance the study may preview the range-topping OPC version fitted with a 240HP+ turbo engine and designed to rival both the VW Golf GTI and Scirocco.

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Land Rover Unveils 2011 Freelander 2 Facelift, gets 2WD Version

Today, Land Rover whisked the covers off its Freelander 2 that benefits from a rather inconspicuous cosmetic redesign, a revised 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine available in two flavors and for the first time in the model's history, a two-wheel drive version.

The exterior styling of the 2011 Freelander 2 has been updated with a redesigned front bumper assembly, a new and less pronounced front grille aligned with the hood, revised headlamps and tail lights, a full width tailgate appliqu� and new 18- or 19-inch alloy wheel designs.

Inside, changes are limited to the revised instrument dials and four new seat styles with the option of a Premium Pack that also includes Windsor Leather upholstery, an 8/6 way electric seat, plus unique carpet mats and covered center stowage.

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VIDEO: Saab Design Chief Jason Castriota Drives the New 9-5 Saloon

Saab's newly appointed design boss, Jason Castriota of former Bertone and Pininfarina fame, wasn't around when the Swedish automaker crafted the all-new 2010 9-5 saloon, so it's interesting to see what he has to say about the styling of the premium sedan. In this video, as well as sharing his insight on the 9-5's design, Castriota also took the car for a quick spin.

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Interested? Hyundai's i10 2010 World Cup Football Car for Sale

While we doubt any sane private buyer would care about owning a small Hyundai decked out with 'grass' bodywork and interior, a giant football and goal posts, we guess that a car dealer or a sports shop could use the car as an attention grabber for their store.

In any case, one of Hyundai's two i10 2010 World Cup promotional cars has been put up for sale on eBay with all proceeds to benefit "BEN", an automotive industry charity in the UK for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependents.

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Reborn Lancia Stratos HF Spy Photos the Real Deal?

A pair of spy photos showing what appears to be a reworked or a similar version of the 2005 Fenomenon Stratos Concept testing out at Fiat's Balocco circuit near Milan have been making the internet rounds today. According to the unnamed person who took the pictures, the prototype was spotted on June 21. It goes without saying that we can't vouch for their authenticity nor for the date and place the shots were taken.

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SEAT Palma: Design Proposal for a Spanish Audi A5 Sportback

Not long ago, we shared the news about some allegedly leaked sketches for numerous future SEAT cars -that may or may not be official- including some that showed a design proposal for an Audi A5 Sportback-like hatch. Now, a member of the Hungarian site 'Hvtm' has taken an A5 Sportback and turned it into a SEAT by restyling the car's nose and rear end as well as the profile. Check out both pictures after the jump and tell us what you think in the comments section below.

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Ford Offers Free 400HP ECU Upgrade on all 2011 F-Series Super Duty Pickups with V8 Diesel

Don't you just hate it when you buy a product and then a month later the company decides to release an upgraded version? Take owners who purchased a 2011 F-Series Super Duty diesel earlier this year, for example.

When the pickup was first launched onto the market, its 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel churned out 390HP and 735 lb-ft at 1,600rpm. Now Ford has presented a slightly more powerful version of the V8 producing 400 ponies and more significantly, 800 lb-ft of torque.

In what Ford describes as 'an industry first', the company has decided to upgrade the engines of all those past and any future (don't forget, there are vehicles sitting in dealer lots) 2011 F-Series Super Duty pickup customers free of charge.

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