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

Infographic: How much clay do Ford’s design studios use each year?

Ford has offered an insight into its clay modeling processes with a series of videos and an infographic that charts the process involved in turning a designer's sketch into a full-size model. The infographic uses data taken from all of Ford's global design studios in 2012 to give an idea of how much clay is used in a year, plus how much paint and di-noc film is used to cover each model. Ford has also released a video that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the firm's clay modeling studio in Merkenich, Germany, including interviews with members of the modeling team.

Not every Chrysler dealer gets to sell SRT Viper

The redesigned 2013 SRT Viper will be sold at about one in five Chrysler Group dealerships, says Ralph Gilles, head of the high-performance SRT brand. To qualify for the sports car, dealerships will have to train staff, buy special tools and improve their facilities. "We're going to open it up to any dealer who can put the money forward and the training, but it's going to be pretty difficult to hit all of those things," Gilles said during a broadcast interview with journalists in Detroit this month.

Lexus LF-LC Coupe heading for production

It looks like the impressive Lexus LF-LC Concept is heading for production as Lexus tries to inject some sportiness in to their brand. The stunning Lexus LF-LC Concept we saw at the Detroit Motor Show in January was certainly the most impressive Lexus concept for some time, although Lexus made it clear it was just a showcase of what their US designers were capable of envisaging. But we thought at the time that the LF-LC had potential as a proper halo coupe for Lexus (ignoring the stand-alone, madly priced LFA) that could be brought to market as an LS Coupe – the Lexus LC, perhaps?