1986 Sportster Spring Pressure Plate Clutch on 2040-parts.com

LA Design Challenge 2011: studios compete to design Hollywood car

This year's LA Design Challenge will see competitors from around the world battle to design Hollywood's next movie car. Participating design studios from General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz Germany (Smart), Mercedes-Benz Japan (Maybach) and Mercedes-Benz US will all be showcasing their creative talents in an effort to secure top honors. Automobiles in Hollywood films produced throughout the years have become some of the most iconic symbols of the films – perhaps as important as the movies themselves.

BMW Concept Active Tourer [w/Gallery]

BMW will be presenting its new concept, the BMW Concept Active Tourer, at this month's Paris motor show as part of the ongoing development of the BMW brand and its model range. With a length of 4,350 mm, a width of 1,834mm and a height of 1,560mm, the wedge-shaped BMW Concept Active Tourer targets the premium market along with families, and because of the car's long wheelbase of 2,670mm and a high roofline it allows for a spacious interior. The car's front face features the signature front-tilted BMW radiator grille and wraparound headlamps with two large air inlets underneath, designed to emphasize the car's width.

New Ford Kuga (2012) to debut at Los Angeles Motor Show

2012 Ford Kuga / Escape to debut at Los Angeles 2011 - based on the Vertrek Concept (above) Yes, strictly speaking the debut of the new Ford Kuga at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November is actually for the 2013 Ford Escape. But in the new ‘One World’ of Ford the new Escape – based on the Ford Vertrek Concept from this year’s Detroit Motor Show – will, with just a few changes, become Europe’s new Ford Kuga. What makes it even more certain that the Escape is much the same as the Kuga will be is news on the engines.