Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Report: Interior Motives China Conference 2009 - Day 1

Interior Motives returned once more to the exciting city of Shanghai for its second China design conference, themed ‘China: Changing the landscape of car design'. Held straight after the first Shanghai auto show press day - a day topped off by the Car Design Night, attended by some 300 or so designers - this two-day event saw 27 of the world's foremost car design experts and nearly 250 delegates gather together to debate the future of Chinese car design. Session 1 - Harnessing design awareness Tony Williams, UK design director of China's biggest carmaker, SAIC, kicked off the session by explaining how trend research was finding more savvy and confident Chinese consumers who want their character reflected in the products they buy and "cars they want rather than just need".

Smart designs eBike

Smart has joined its fellow car manufacturers in designing a bicycle and is putting it into series production. The main components of the eBike such as the frame, battery housing, handlebars, lights and mudguards have been designed and developed specifically for Smart. The two-color concept is, so it's makers claim, recognizable as classic Smart, with the plastic battery housing forming a contrast to the aluminum frame.

2014 Kia Forte trims, slims, adds FlexSteer

The all-new 2014 Kia Forte debuted at the LA Auto Show in November, and it will hit dealerships in the first quarter of this year. Powertrains and trims are consolidated, the interior is updated and the small sedan will now feature something called FlexSteer, which adjusts the weight of the wheel from comfort to normal to sport. Equipment on the second-generation sedan will rival that of almost any of the luxury brands, even in base trim.