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

Designing the sound of tomorrow's electric cars

By 2019, the European parliament has ordered that all new electric cars sold in the EU must be fitted with a device that emits noise to make them more audible to pedestrians. With safety legislation in America and elsewhere set to follow, this presents an opportunity to completely rethink the sound electric cars make. It's a chance to take it beyond a warning sound by considering something that harmonizes with its surroundings.

Concept Car of the Week: Saab Aero X

In January 2005 Bryan Nesbitt, then-executive director of GM Europe Design, charged the 15-strong Saab Advanced design team in Gothenburg, Sweden, to create the "ultimate vision of the brand". The design team – led by head of Advanced Design at Saab, Anthony Lo – worked on a number of sports car proposals, which were considered 'the jet fighters of the road.' The chosen proposal by Alex Daniel was for a large, front-engined sports car that would become one of the most universally acclaimed concept cars of recent times. Of course the Aero X's door arrangement – complete with huge, forward-hinged canopy – is its party trick, but even without the theatrics the car's proportions, surfacing and graphics are exceptional.

Ferrari releases teaser image of Enzo successor

Update: Ferrari has released a new image of the Enzo successor's rear, which we've attached above. Of the 288 GT0, F40, F50, Enzo and its upcoming successor, Ferrari Technical Director Roberto Fedeli says, “Let's refer to them as our 'specials.' " That works for us. In a day and age when a Porsche Boxster S delivers performance on a par with yesterday's supercars, that particular appellation seems to have lost much in the way of meaning.