Kitchen specialist Franke has launched a new downdraft hood in stylish stainless steel and black glass - the first of its kind in the Franke range. The chic downdraft hood, launched at the end of May, has been produced as a response to consumer demand and forms part of Frankes 2013 range update. The FDW 908 IB XS Downdraft Hood efficiently glides in and out of sight at the touch of a button and is therefore perfect for creating the sleek lines required for open plan living. It can also be located anywhere in a kitchen design. Combing functionality with style, the hood features a black glass and stainless steel casing and measures 880mm. It can be mounted from either the top or bottom of the worktop and the motor can be fixed on either side. The hood provides powerful localised extraction with extraction rates of min 265, max 565 and intensive 725 m3/h and noise levels of min 49, max 66 and intensive 71 DB, removing steam and odours whilst remaining quiet. Other key features of include electronic touch control, optional remote control, 4-speed plus intensive speed settings, an energy 1000 motor,LED bar lighting and comfort lighting, automatic cut-off timer and a filter saturation indicator. Franke Communications Manager Franke Jeanette Ward says Downdraft hoods are the less is more of kitchen extraction and work especially with the sleek design lines of open plan living. Retailers have been asking us to introduce this style into our range and this gives them a premium design and specification to work with.