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

CCS/GM E-Flex project

Cadillac V-Flex Evan Mai Evan Mai presented the Cadillac V-Flex, a mid-engine electric race car that uses GM's E-Flex platform in a new configuration and advances Cadillac's art & science design language.  The race inspired proportion and layout of the V-Flex draws heavily from Le Mans prototype and F1 cars. Power would come from an electric motor with a range extending internal combustion engine. The Li-ion battery placed in the bottom center of the vehicle could be swapped from underneath the car during pit stops. Aluminum heat sinks in the rear efficiently dissipate heat away from the motor and battery while performing as a rear spoiler.  The front grille serves to communicate the Cadillac design philosophy and also serves as a functional aerodynamic enhancement.

Aston Martin won’t be proclaiming ‘Powered by AMG’ on its Mercedes-engined cars

Aston Martin won’t be using ‘Powered by AMG’ badges It was a long time coming, but Aston Martin finally found a way to replace their ageing engines by doing a deal with Mercedes AMG to use their very impressive powerplants. And it seems that, depite AMG’s willingness to provide Aston Martin with modern engines, AML aren’t going to be required to put AMG badges on the bodywork or engines of their very beautiful cars. Speaking to Autocar, Mercedes boss Dieter Zetsche said that Mercedes were very happy to have done a deal with AML and equally as happy to be subtle about the arrangement.

Autodesk Automotive Days - Munich 2009

Autodesk's Automotive Days design conferences, launched in Munich in 2008, have highlighted the key growth area of digital prototyping. And at last month's conference the focus was once again broadened to include coverage of conceptual design and creative visualization (at the very beginning of the design process) and design for manufacture - at the culmination of the process. Speakers from Autodesk outlined the innovative features of their latest product suites, while keynote presentations from leading automotive designers such as Frank Stephenson of McLaren and Volvo's Rickard Franklin showed in fascinating detail how the benefits of these software systems were being maximized in busy corporate design studios.