2007 Mitsubishi Outlander Sirius Satellite Control Module 8701a103 on 2040-parts.com

Porsche 918 Spyder races toward production

OK, let's put the usual arguments to rest first: The Porsche 918 Spyder is going to be even faster than the Carrera GT in a straight line. That's based on Porsche's own computer simulations in anticipation of the production version of the gasoline-electric-powered 918 Spyder, which is due to roll off a dedicated line within a decommissioned paint shop at Porsche's Zuffenhausen, Germany, headquarters next year. The claimed 0-to-62-mph time is 2.8 seconds; 0-to-124 mph is 8.9 seconds, and top speed should be about 202 mph, thanks in part to series of active aerodynamic functions, including a multistage rear wing.

Ford's automotive assembly line celebrates 100th anniversary

A mere century ago, on Oct. 7, 1913, Henry Ford rigged up a rope tow to get Model T chassis across the floor of his Highland Park assembly plant -- essentially winching cars across the factory floor and adding a set schedule of parts at certain intervals. The implementation may have been a bit primitive, but Ford was on the cusp something big: applying the concepts of the moving assembly line to the complicated, costly process of automobile production.

Ford EcoSport for Europe heading for Geneva 2013

The Ford EcoSport – a butch little SUV based on the Ford Fiesta – is heading for a European reveal at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The new EcoSport arrived in Delhi last year as Ford’s take on the funky little urban warrior market – think Nissan Juke – and it looks a properly purposeful little urban runaround, with its butch stance and statement grill. We thought when the EcoSport launched in India that it seemed more than likely that Ford would start to market the EcoSport in Europe, and last September – at Ford’s ‘Go Further’ event in Amsterdam  Ford confirmed the EcoSport would arrive in the UK and Europe, and now it’s heading for a European debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.