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

Schreyer: More than a designer of products I wish to be an architect of Hyundai's brand image

There's no denying Peter Schreyer has been instrumental in turning around Kia's image from a manufacturer of wheeled white goods in a creator of design-led products. Now his attention turns to sister company Hyundai in his role as chief design officer for both companies and his plans are no less ambitious. "More than a designer of products I wish to be an architect of Hyundai's brand image," he told an audience at Hyundai's European headquarters, explaining how his job is not simply 'styling' but communicating the brand's message right down to details such as the seatbelt warning buzzer.

Designer Tom Matano part of start-up car company in Louisiana

A new auto company backed by Texas billionaire investor T. Boone Pickens and staffed by former Mazda design chief Tom Matano plans to build "environmentally friendly" vehicles in Louisiana. V-Vehicle Co., of San Diego, will bring about 1,400 workers to a Monroe plant that once belonged to General Motors, according to a statement Wednesday from the Louisiana Economic Development Web site.

Hennessey HPE700 Twin Turbo Corvette to bow in Boca

If you saw the 455-hp Chevy Corvette Stingray and thought, “I’ll hang on to my money for something faster,” and then you saw the 625-hp Corvette Z06, and said, “It’s a little too wild-looking for me,” the Hennessey HPE700 Twin Turbo Corvette might be just right The Texas-based tuner will reveal its latest, surprisingly tasteful offering at the Boca Raton Hangar Party that kicks off the Boca Raton Concours on Feb. 21. Hennessey claims 707 hp at 6,400 rpm along with 661 lb-ft of pavement-shredding torque in this new modified ‘Vette.