2001 Polaris Xcf Sp Gates G-force Belt Drive Kevlar Aramid Hg on 2040-parts.com

Mini Paceman Concept (2011): first official pictures

These are the first official pictures of Mini’s not-so-mini Paceman Concept. Mini calls it a Sports Activity Coupe (SAC), but really it’s just a two-door Countryman. And as CAR revealed way back in April 2009, a second sportier version of Mini's biggest model is on the way: the Paceman will almost certainly reach production.

Mercedes color and trim manager on the new SL-Class interior [w/video]

Mercedes has released a video as part of the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, discussing interior design details of the new 2013 SL-Class. In the video Nicola Ehrenberg-Uhlig, manager of color and trim for Mercedes-Benz, explains the choices made when the vehicle was designed and how the design team wanted to convey the car's personality via special materials. Aviation is the theme for the new SL-Class, which in the designers' minds stood for clear design, functionality, speed and power.

Volvo V40 teased again ahead of Geneva [w/video]

Volvo has released an unusual cartoon teaser video for its new five-door V40, together with an additional image. The animated video features a flock of birds perching on power lines before all but one fly off. Being left on its own to dance on the lines, before fading to black with the words 'Be One of a Kind' appearing before advertising the car's imminent arrival.  Meanwhile the image (left), showing the car in silhouette, gives little away about the design, unlike Volvo's first sneak peek (right), released in December last year.