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

Autodesk European Automotive Days 2008

The 2008 Autodesk European Automotive Days conference was held last week in Munich, bringing together 200 automotive design and visualization experts. Autodesk presented their strategy and vision for industrial design, with an emphasis on 'digital prototyping', where even at the concept stage the digital model is treated not just as a set of surfaces, but is integrated within the engineering process as as a functional digital prototype, with the aim to eventually replace physical models entirely. There was also a recognition that traditional techniques continue to have an important place alongside digital workflows, as the workflows and technologies continue to evolve.

Jaguar EATS Mercedes ‘Magic Body Control’ Chicken (video)

Jaguar EATS Mercedes ‘Magic Body Control’ Chicken Mercedes-Benz recently produced a fun video to demonstrate their Magic Body Control using a bunch of chickens to show how, despite undulations, bumps and potholes, MBC would keep everything in shape. The video of the ‘Magic Body Control Chickens’ was a rare glimpse at German humour (although the humour may well have been an accident) and a great way to demonstrate MBC. But we wonder if Mercedes sense of humour will stay intact with Jaguar’s latest video?

Mercedes-Benz prototypes spotted

Modern technology makes it harder for automakers to hide their upcoming products from prying eyes. Take, for example, these images sent to us from Autoweek subscriber Jonathan Peters while he was in Utah. Peters speculates that what he saw was a gathering of a varied Mercedes-Benz cars being tested, along with cars from other carmakers for comparisons.