Audi Audi A4 Glove Box 2007 on 2040-parts.com

ZF boss thinks 9 speeds is enough for transmissions

The nine-speed transmission might be where the race to add gears ends, ZF Friedrichshafen CEO Stefan Sommer said. He referred to nine speeds as the "natural limit" because going beyond that number adds weight and complexity that cannot be offset by gains in fuel efficiency. "There is no hard line, but you have to consider the law of diminishing returns.

Who's Where: Gordon Murray, Advanced Concepts Director, Caparo Vehicle Products

Gordon Murray yesterday became Advanced Concepts Director of Caparo Vehicle Products. Murray is best known as one of the founding partners of McLaren Cars which under his technical direction won eight Constructors Championships in Formula One. Within the automotive design community he is even better known for the McLaren F1 supercar of 1994 which he conceived and developed with, amongst others, designer Peter Stevens.

Kia Pop concept (2010) first official pictures

These are the first pictures of Kia's new 2010 electric concept car, the Pop, which is due to make its debut at the Paris motor show on 30 September. Details on the new Kia Pop are sketchy, but at 3m long and with a triple-seat arrangement, it could be that Kia has its sights set on creating a rival to the Toyota iQ. In fact, we can see from the bird's-eye shot that the seating plan mimics that of Toyota's baby with two positions in a front bench and a single rear seat behind the front passenger.