01 Yamaha Raptor 660 Yfm660 01-05 Frame Chassis W/ Bos J on 2040-parts.com

Seat Leon Cup Racer revealed

Volkswagen’s Spanish daughter company, Seat, has unveiled the new Leon Cup race car. Set to get a public airing at this week’s Woethersee fan meet in Austria, the new front-wheel drive hatchback runs a heavily tuned version of parent company Audi’s EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine developing about 325 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. In standard guise, drive is channeled through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Detroit Electric delays SP:01 again

Detroit Electric, the new startup with an old name, said it is delaying production because it hasn't secured a lease or purchase agreement for its manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Mich. It is also talking to some new partners, though the company declined to name them. North American president Don Graunstadt told the Detroit News, “To further elaborate at this juncture is, unfortunately, not possible as Detroit Electric have entered into negotiations with other parties that have the potential to impact our business strategy and timing,” Graunstadt said.

The Designers, Pt6 – Laurens van den Acker, Renault

Car Design News launched its first-ever Car Design Review yearbook at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring the award-winning Production Car and Concept Car Designs of 2013. If you're interested in buying a copy of the 160-page yearbook this interview appears in, alongside trend reports, bespoke car design infographics and a special feature on Marcello Gandini, our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Car Design Review can be purchased here. Name Laurens van den AckerRole VP design, Renault GroupAge, nationality 48, DutchLocation Paris, FranceEducation Delft University of Technology, Holland "I hope 2013 was the end of the crisis in Europe.