2008 Polaris Sportsman 500 Camshaft Cover on 2040-parts.com

How Lumiscaphe software delivers for Eagle Ottawa

Real-time visualization software is transforming the speed and ease with which design teams can develop interior proposals, saving time and money in the process, as Lumiscaphe's visualization designer and Eagle Ottawa China's Design Director of the Asia Pacific region discussed with Car Design News. "Until very recently we relied purely on flat and trimmed leather samples and photography when visiting clients," explains Erik Vogas, Eagle Ottawa China's Director of Design, Marketing and Innovation in Shanghai. "Physical samples are always the most compelling, but we are also impacted by the timing and cost constraints of creating those samples.

ZAP electric car

California-based ZAP has completed the initial concept phase for a new electric vehicle claimed to hit a top speed in excess of 100 mph with a range of 100 miles per charge.  "With ZAP's experience over the past 12 years and the groundwork we have already laid, we know that electricity is the future of the auto industry," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider.  "At the same time, we believe we have a design that will serve a niche no other manufacturer in the auto industry is seeking to fill." More details of the car will become available at the end of the month.

Video: Jaguar XF clay model gets axed

Jaguar recently gave a trio of clay modelers the task of deconstructing the original model of their carefully and lovingly sculpted XF sedan by handing them axes and sledgehammers in front of a camera crew. The modelers – dressed in black t-shirts and jeans – are shown taking apart the model piece by piece, perhaps taking out their frustration with designers who feel the need to get a little too hands-on with their artisan handiwork. Perhaps some other car manufacturers could using this as inspiration to destroy some of their cars, maybe – naming no names – before reaching production.