Who's Where: Ken Okuyama parts company with Pininfarina

Pininfarina, the Turin, Italy-based automotive styling house, has announced that its design director, Ken Okuyama, has left the company. In a tersely-worded statement Pininfarina said, "The Company's decision comes as a result of the various external activities Ken Okuyama was carrying out beyond his responsibilities within Pininfarina." Ken Okuyama had been Design Director at Pininfarina since July 2005. During this time, Okuyama's most high-profile work was the Maserati Birdcage prototype, created to celebrate 75th anniversary of the Italian styling house.

Happy birthday, Alfa: Party planned for June and you're invited

After launching a new Giulietta to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Alfa Romeo will continue the party June 26-27 with a huge rally for owners of its vehicles. The global gathering will be held in Alfa's hometown, Milan, Italy. More than 3,000 participants are expected to show up, and the festivities will include a rally through downtown Milan (filmed by helicopter), concerts and the presentation of a sculpture.

Hot turbo engines for BMW's 3-Series

By Angus Fitton Motor Industry 11 August 2006 10:36 Three new six-cylinder engines are joining the BMW 3-Series range. Top of the pile – until the V8 M3 arrives – is the 335d, which runs the twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel engine offered in the 5-series. An explosive 428lb ft of torque (that's more than the V10 M5) and 286bhp means it can surge to 62mph in only 6.2sec.