06-08 Kawasaki Kx250f 250f S/o Two Brothers Exhaust Cf on 2040-parts.com

One Lap of the Web: Mock the Week Edition

-- Mazda Europe designer Peter Birthwhistle talks about the future of Mazda: potential hybrid and electric powertrains for the Skyactiv-obsessed company, and how we'll all be driving Mazda-branded pods in the 22nd century. But he also mentions, rather interestingly, how certain Mazdas capture a quintessentially long-hood, RWD look -- and not just the Miata, either, which is RWD. No, it's the exhaust systems on those Skyactiv engines that force a longer, larger hood compartment, and the "long, flowing looks" not usually found on FWD engines.

SPD Workshop with Chris Bangle

Famed designer Chris Bangle will be hosting a four-day workshop at the Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) in Milan, Italy this summer, following on from last year's successful workshop series. The university has announced that it will be holding the workshops from 9 July to 15 July, revolving around a theme entitled: 'An Endeavor in Discontinuity: Exterior Car Design of the Future'. The workshop is billed as a unique design experience, which will allow participants from all over the world to work in close contact with one of the most innovative designers of the current scene.

Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost wins engine of the year

Ford's 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine was named the 2013 International Engine of the Year on Wednesday, marking the second consecutive year it has done so. The engine also took home the highest score in the history of the awards, along with a “Best Engine Under 1.0-liters” category. The tiny engine packs a respectable punch for its size, producing 123 hp and 148 lb-ft or torque (Specs may be different pending specific model the engine is in).