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

Ikuo Maeda to replace Laurens van den Acker as General Manager of Design at Mazda

Ikuo Maeda has been appointed General Manager of Mazda Motor Corporation's Design Division. He replaces Laurens van den Acker, who has decided to leave Mazda to pursue other interests. Following on from the successful tenure of van den Acker, Maeda will lead the Japanese automaker's global design team and be responsible for the overall design and styling of Mazda's global products.

Winners announced in 2010 Car Design of the Year competition

The 2010 Car Design of the Year awards, which took place at the annual Car Design Night at La Sip nightclub in Geneva last night, recognized the winners of the best production and concept cars of 2010 as voted by Car Design News readers in an online poll. With over 1000 votes taken in over a three month period, the winners finally emerged as the Range Rover Evoque and the Pininfarina Duettottanta in the Best Production and Best Concept Car design categories, respectively. Officially unveiled at the 2010 Paris motor show, the Range Rover Evoque represents the best translation from concept car to production vehicle we've seen in recent times.

Google reveals its first self-driving car prototype (video)

Google’s first self-driving car prototype (pictured) Google might not be the first company that springs to mind as a car maker, but Tesla has already proved that Silicon Valley can produce a car that buyers want and Google are intent on following a similar route. But where Tesla’s USP is its long-range electric capabilities – and a desire to build cars for the market – Google’s goal is more technology orientated and is all about developing self-driving car technology that works in the real world. For the last few years, Google has been experimenting with existing cars kitted out with self-driving gubbins, but now they’ve taken the next step and built their own self-driving prototype.