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

Smart Forspeed concept signals new design direction

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand. Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized Forspeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next Fortwo and the revived Forfour, which will be launched in 2014. "The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts.

Ford promote accessible & affordable technology in new campaign

Ford’s Active Park Assist parks a Focus on the roof of a skyscraper We do sometimes moan that cars are becoming so clever that it won’t be long before the driver’s just the blobby thing behind the wheel to keep an eye open as clever technology does its stuff. That said, modern technology is certainly doing wonders for tasks that many find irksome and difficult behind the wheel, and Ford are cleverly tapping in to their new technology to demonstrate just how helpful their new cars now are for the stressed driver with the Ford Primary Brand campaign. Ford‘s new Primary Brand campaign is focusing on technology like the new(ish) Active Park Assist that uses sensors to measure parking spaces as you drive by (not too quickly – you have to give it a chance) and then, at the push of a button – with the driver just following instructions for brake, gears and accelerator – neatly parks your new Ford for you.

New Ferrari Enzo – F70 / FX70 – on track

The next generation Enzo (current Enzo pictured) is on track for release in 2012. With news the other day that the Lamborghini Urus is being lined up to take on the next generation Ferrari Enzo – the F70/FX70 – we’re now hearing that Ferrari’s plans to replace the Enzo are very much on track. It’s been a long time since the limited production Enzo – just 400 were produced – came to an end, and seven years since it was first announced.