1974 Gran Torino Elite Front Bumper on 2040-parts.com

Driven: Mazda RX-8

The two most obvious elements of its unusual make-up are its rotary engine and rear-hinged rear doors with integral B-pillars. What became clear during our week with the RX-8 was how these two aspects of its design form the basis of many other unique qualities... Sports coupe and GT coupe The rotary engine of the RX-8 has a very distinct power delivery that is a defining part of the car's character, but it is also a very small lump of metal compared to a similarly powerful conventional reciprocating piston engine, enabling more of the car's overall length to be devoted to cabin space.

Alfa's U.S. return likely for 2012, Marchionne says

Fiat's on-again, off-again plan to return Alfa Romeo to the United States is on again, this time with a target date of 2012. A Chrysler Group spokesman has confirmed remarks made by CEO Sergio Marchionne in Toronto. “I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada,” Marchionne was quoted as saying Friday.

SPD starts collaboration with VW Group Design on Masters program

Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) and Volkswagen Group Design are starting a new five year collaboration program focused on the development of experimental mobility projects for Lamborghini, Audi and Volkswagen. The Milan, Italy-based university is offering eight scholarships to participate to the one year Master Program in Car and Transportation Design, which will take place from 21 October 2010 to October 2011. The university is currently accepting applications from students and professionals from all over the world, with the aim of providing training with the protagonists of automotive design.