#3253 Honda Vt500 Vt 500 Shadow Rear Brake Pivot / Shaft on 2040-parts.com

Hyundai ix35 facelift to cost from £16,995 – extended model range & specs

The ‘new’ Hyundai ix35 (pictured) costs from £16,995 Hyundai revealed the mildly facelifted ix35 back in March (and a better looking version for the Korean market a couple of months later) and now, with the new ix35 on sale next week, we have news of prices and specs. We covered the tweaks Hyundai have made to the ix35 back in March – and they’re really quite minor – but the trim levels are also changing and the more powerful 2.0 litre diesel is biting the dust. The ix35 range now kicks off with the ix35 S 1.6-litre GDi 2WD manual at £16,995 which comes with 16″ alloys, central locking, USB and AUX, AirCon, Hillstart Assist and Downhill Brake Control (designed to help those who can’t really drive).

GM Korea doubles size of its design center

GM has invested $40million in its Korea Design Center, doubling the size of the facility. The expanded studio opened on 25 April, and will give improved support for both exterior and interior design. As well as more studio space, the upgraded facility now includes improved exterior modeling and 3D printing facilities, an outdoor viewing area with three turntables, and a virtual reality studio – the latter allowing design reviews to take place in real time with GM's network of nine other design centers in six other countries around the world.

McLaren MP4-12C GT3 (2011) track testing begins

McLaren has begun testing its latest track weapon, the MP4-12C GT3 ahead of the 2012 FIA GT3 season.  How different is the MP4-12C GT3 from the roadgoing edition? The MP4-12C GT3 is based on the standard machine but modified for FIA GT racing by McLaren GT - a joint venture between McLaren Automotive and CRS Racing, a UK-based team currently competing in FIA GT with Ferrari F430s.  Externally you'll notice the race-spec fixed rear wing, undertray diffuser, front splitter, louvres and vents. Underneath there's a new suspension system, ditching the road car's linked suspension for FIA-compliant conventional dampers and anti-roll bars. Akebono is supplying race-specific brake components, and Bosch Motorsport has installed its ABS system. The car sits 100mm wider on its new suspension and has suitably flared bodywork as a result.  It's still the McLaren's bespoke 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, tuned for racing.