2004 Pontiac Vibe 46168 Miles Speedometer Instrument Cluster Gauges 2642286 on 2040-parts.com

Exclusive: Honda to Close European Design Studios

In a surprise announcement, Honda has decided to close design operations in Europe, based in Germany. The decision to shut down both the car design and motorcycle design studios of Honda R&D Europe (HRE-G) in Offenbach, near Frankfurt was taken at the end of September and came as a shock announcement to employees. It represents the latest casualty in cuts for the car design community.

McLaren launches Special Operations unit for customers' custom requests

British sports-car maker McLaren has launched its Special Operations unit, which will help the company's well-heeled buyers customize their cars. McLaren previewed some handiwork from the new division at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, with a custom example of the MP4-12C. The customized sports car had a variety of carbon-fiber trim upgrades and special treatment such as unique orange paintwork, a gloss-black roof, diamond-cut-finish wheels with gloss-back inners, 12C-branded carbon sill panels, a carbon steering wheel and carbon-fiber cover vents for the engine.

Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S (2008): first photos

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 22 December 2008 09:38 Another week, another Maserati special edition. Today Maser shows off the new Quattroporte Sport GT S – the fifth edition of the sports saloon from Modena to grace CAR Online's pages. Maserati calls it the sportiest Quattroporte yet.