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

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.

GM considers flagship sedan for Cadillac

Cadillac is considering a large, flagship sedan to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series, a top General Motors official says. Mark Reuss, GM's president for North America, told Automotive News last month that a new flagship is on the table as GM maps its go-global strategy for Cadillac. A flagship would be a continuation of how GM has been positioning Cadillac's lineup to go head-to-head in each segment with BMW, Mercedes and Audi.

Italdesign Giugiaro transforms 'Golf Vision 2020' winning design into hard model

Italdesign Giugiaro transformed an Istituto d'Arte Applicata e Design (IAAD) student's thesis project into a 1:4 scale model after it was chosen by Giorgetto Giugiaro as the best Masters project in the ‘Golf Vision 2020' challenge. The challenge, launched in collaboration with the carozzeria and Volkswagen, asked students to design the Volkswagen Golf of 2020. The best designs from the Bachelors and Masters courses were picked at the end of the year by renowned designer and school sponsor, Giorgetto Giugiaro.