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

Who's Where: CCS appoints Sally Erickson Wilson as chair of new color and materials design MA

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) has appointed Sally Erickson Wilson as associate professor and chair of its new Master of Fine Arts degree program in Color and Materials Design. Erickson Wilson moves to the school from Johnson Controls where she was design manager responsible for leading the North American fabric design team. As chair of the course, Erickson Wilson will be responsible for the graduate curriculum and will help students to develop an eye for color differentiation, materials craftsmanship and quality assessment.

Vauxhall Insignia facelift stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Ten years on from the very first Insignia concept, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in 2003, Vauxhall is showcasing a new, facelifted Insignia here at Frankfurt 2013. Part of the update to the Insignia is a new internet connectivity feature, which should make life on the road for travelling professionals a bit easier – now you can locate your nearest non-VAT qualifying hot food snack retailer in next to no time… We’re also fans of the rationalised trim range, down from 14 grades to eight for the new car. While the Insignia’s updated engine range boasts impressive efficiency (as we’ll see in a minute), we can’t help wondering if this might have been a good time to introduce a hybrid or range-extender powertrain, trumping Ford and its forthcoming Mondeo Hybrid in the process.

Audi A4 Allroad quattro ready to roll

The Audi A4 Allroad quattro - launches at Geneva in March [ad#ad-1] It looks like Geneva is going to be more of a highlight than the recent Detroit Motor Show, which turned in to something of a sombre occasion. No surprise really, considering the US auto industry is in the worst shape of any in the world (been there, done that – remember BL in the ’70s?). But Europe, despite the current economic woes, makes the best cars in the world, and is going to be out in force in March.