1997 Mercedes-benz R129 Sl320 Central Locking Vacuum Pump 1298001548 on 2040-parts.com

Mazda appoints Brit Kevin Rice as new European design chief

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 18 August 2014 10:13 Mazda has appointed Kevin Rice as its new European design director to replace the retiring Peter Birtwhistle. Rice joins at a key time for Mazda, which is replacing its model range at a rate of knots. It will show the new 2 supermini at the Paris motor show in October 2014, following the 3 mid-sized hatch and 6 family car which are both less than two years old.

Top Gear test track added to Google Street View

TOP GEAR fans can follow in the tyre tracks of The Stig after the BBC show's test track was added to Google Street View. The location at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Surrey, has been the venue for star guests such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Damian Lewis to drive a lap for the programme. Test driver The Stig - at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black - accompanied the Google car as it did a circuit of the 2.82km track.

Toyota GT86 Convertible (the Toyota FT-86 Concept) at Tokyo with roof up

The Toyota FT-86 Open Concept (pictured) gets a roof and new paint job for Tokyo 2013 The Toyota FT-86 Open Concept (effectively a roadster version of the GT86) made an appearance earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, and now Toyota are lining up a new version of the FT-86 for their home show in Tokyo. The FT-86 Open may be billed as a concept, but it’s clear Toyota are keen to see the GT86 Roadster go in to production, and the latest FT-86 for Tokyo demonstrates that with a new paint job and the first views of the fabric roof in place. Complementing the FT-86′s new red paint job it gets door handles, windscreen surround and door mirrors in contrasting grey and the interior gets a set of red carpets.