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

Tesla increases Roadster production

By Nick Eaton Motor Industry 11 September 2008 11:30 Tesla Motors is about to ramp up production of its Roadster, having secured supply of a new single-speed gearbox from BorgWarner. Tesla began producing the Roadster in March 2008, but all 27 cars so far delivered to customers have effectively been interim models because the original two-speed ‘box was deemed too fragile for long-term use. The original thinking was that the Roadster would require two gears to achieve the best possible acceleration, and on that point Tesla was right.

Lexus Fashion Workshop designers make car parts fashionable

Lexus is moving from the road to the runway with a new ad campaign set to appear in Vogue magazine. As part of the Lexus Fashion Workshop, the carmaker challenged four fashion designers to create wearable pieces using materials from a dismantled Lexus CT hybrid. The challenge is "elevating the notion of recycling to an art form," according to Lexus, which says the CT hybrid is 90 percent recyclable.

Toyota Prius points the way to design future

For a glimpse of Toyota's future design trends, check out the Prius. The third generation, debuting Monday in Japan, stays true to the line's role as a vanguard of futuristic styling and sports many new elements that will be popping up soon in other models. Chief among these are the sharply creased corners, the forward placement of the Toyota badge, a lowered grille and styling that Toyota's global design chief Wahei Hirai calls "free-form geometrics." The goal was to create an avant-garde, high-tech look that also screams green.