Beck/arnley 101-4927 Suspension Control Arm Toyota Corolla on 2040-parts.com

Kia Picanto (2011): the first design sketches

Kia will replace the Picanto city car in spring 2011 - and these are the first pictures of the new 2011 small car. The production Picanto will be shown at the Geneva motor show in March, with UK sales slated to begin soon after 'from late spring 2011.' It's yet another design from Kia's European styling studio in Germany led by ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer. This time a three-door will be sold alongside the five-door Picanto.

Keyless ignition trends toward standardization

A federal plan to require automakers to standardize keyless ignition systems in the wake of Toyota's unintended acceleration problems is likely to mirror industry guidelines issued in January, an automaker group said. Large automakers except Toyota said they already comply with the guidelines crafted by SAE International or plan to do so. These "recommended practices'' seek to counter the variation, driver confusion and safety problems that have ensued since automakers started installing push-button ignition in luxury models.

New Lexux RX? No, it’s a BYD S6

The BYD S6 SUV. Or is its a LExus RX? You may remember back in May that we reported on a Porsche Cayenne clone from Chinese car maker BYD, which appeared to be a complete rip-off of the SUV from Stuttgart.