2004 Yamaha Rx1 Er Frame, Under 2, P/n 8fa-2196e-00-00 on 2040-parts.com

MIT develops self-transforming materials that behave 'like robots without robots'

A cross-disciplinary research lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a suite of programmable materials, including carbon fiber, printed wood grain, textile composites, rubbers and plastics, that self-transform when exposed to an external stimulus. Director of the Self-Assembly Lab, Skylar Tibbits, presented a TED talk on 4D printing in 2013, where he demonstrated how a flat sheet of material could effectively build itself when exposed to water, like a robot without a robot. Following positive feedback from industries including aviation, automotive and manufacturing, his lab has been working on developing materials that change according to different activation sources, including heat, light, and air pressure, in addition to water – all of which have automotive relevance.

Jaguar F-Type Coupe revealed – sort of

But, as expected, Jaguar are heading full tilt towards a production F-Type Coupe that will follow the lines of the appealing CX-16, as evidenced by the patent image filings (above) acquired by Auto Motor und Sport. The show an F-Type Coupe that delivers almost all of the style the CX-16 did – just as Land Rover managed when they turned the LRX in to the Range Rover Evoque – which will disappoint no one. In fact, the coupe – with its roof line flowing down from the A-pillar right to the tail – is better looking than the Roadster and more evocative of the E-Type.

Mustang GT (2011) – First pictures Leak

The leaked picture of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 litre See, stuff does happen over Christmas. Even if it is unofficial stuff. A week or so ago we ran a couple of interesting Ford Mustang stories.