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Color & trim focus: Six of Poltrona Frau’s auto collaborations

Collaborations between the car industry and the world of product design are fraught with difficulties, are usually fleeting and all too often end in (marketing department) tears. One of the few possible exceptions is Italian leather and furniture company Poltrona Frau. Its 102-year history includes the 904 ‘Vanity Fair' chair from 1930 and the more-recent 2009 Archibald chair by Jean-Marie Massaud.

Toyota talks powertrain plans

After trailing many of its competitors in the recent engine- and transmission-technology wars, Toyota Motor Corp. will launch a swath of powertrains in the next several years, a top powertrain r&d executive said. Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain r&d, said that Toyota is investing heavily in turbocharged engines, larger displacement Atkinson cycle engines, continuously variable and fixed-gear automatic transmissions, and new hybrid and fuel cell technologies.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi: more news and pictures

The Formula 1 circus has descended upon Abu Dhabi for the finale of the 2009 championship this week, and when the GP crowd returns in 2010 alongside the track will be Ferrari World, a Ferrari-influenced theme park. It's been delayed slightly, but CAR Online has the latest update on the potentially record-breaking theme park being built next to the F1 circuit on Yas Island. According to the designers, not only will Ferrari World be the largest indoor theme park on Earth, but it will also house the fastest roller coaster.