1987 Dodge Van / Shop Manual / Shop Book / Original on 2040-parts.com

AutoWeek Design Forum: McLaren evolves with carbon fiber

McLaren Automotive design boss Frank Stephenson detailed his company's transformation from strictly racing to producing road-going models on Thursday at the AutoWeek Design Forum. McLaren is launching the highly anticipated MP4-12C this year, and the company has been hard at work refining the use of carbon fiber, which it pioneered in the iconic McLaren F1. The company cut the amount of time required to design a carbon-fiber tub from 3,000 hours for the F1 to a mere four hours for the MP4-12C.

New Ford Edge SUV revealed – and it’s heading for the UK

The new Ford Edge (above) will arrive in the UK in 2015 The new Ford Edge – new to the UK, but already in Ford’s model range in the US – has been revealed as Ford’s big hope to cash in on the still growing obsession with SUVs of all shapes and sizes in the UK. A big brother to the new Fiesta-based EcoSport and the longstanding Ford Kuga, the new Ford Edge rides on underpinnings that started out as the new Mondeo (well, new to the UK when it finally arrives in the Autumn) and owes its looks, more or less, to the Ford Edge Concept we saw at the LA Auto Show last year. Just like the Edge Concept, the new Ford edge comes with a big statement grill and big alloys, LED lights all round and a choice of three trim levels - Trend, Sport and Titanium – with more than a fighting chance that Ford will add a Vignale version too.

Honda's future plans cut Acura TSX platform

The future of Acura's TSX appears uncertain as Honda Motor prepares to abandon the platform used for the compact sedan. Acura boss Jeff Conrad says the TSX will remain in the lineup "for the foreseeable future." But when Acura moved into the entry-luxury segment with the ILX last year it jammed up its sedan lineup -- both in terms of vehicle sizes and pricing ladders. The ILX and aging TSX are positioned close to each other, as are the TSX and mid-sized TL.