20x9 Black Ultra Drifter (194) Wheels 6x135 +30 Ford Expedition F-150 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.

Porsche Panamera Hybrid: Official +video

The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid – Geneva Debut & on sale June After we had Porsche’s Geneva Motor Show press release last week, we were in no doubt that the elusive ‘Hybrid’ Porsche said they were taking to Geneva would be the Porsche Panamera Hybrid. And so it is. The Panamera Hybrid – officially the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid – is the next stage in Porsche’s quest to game the taxation system, and create powerful and appealing cars that don’t get clobbered by the taxman.

VW Golf R leaks ahead of Frankfurt

The 2010 VW Golf R with 265bhp and 4Motion It won’t surprise you to learn that VW has dropped the heavy and thirsty (though quick) 3.2 litre V6 in the last hot Golf in favour of the 2.0 litre turbo found in the Scirocco. This engine deliver 265 bhp and should give the Golf R a 0-60mph of around 6.3 seconds – or less with the DSG ‘box. The Golf R will also get VW’s 4Motion all wheel drive to add to the mix, and a raft of styling changes.