Bendix 78215 Brake Hose (crown Vic) on 2040-parts.com

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.

Interior Motives magazine reboots

This evening saw the launch of Car Design News' all-new specialist interior design publication Interior Motives magazine.  Senior designers gathered together at Le Sip nightclub in Geneva for the annual Auto Design Night were among the first people in the world to get a look at the Spring 2009 relaunch edition of Interior Motives, which features a completely new treatment and a cutting-edge design format conceived to give readers an exclusive look behind the scenes of the most important interior designs unveiled during the last few months. Published every quarter, the new Interior Motives magazine features never-been-seen photos, sketches, renderings and breakdowns of the build process, offering unparalleled insight into the thinking behind these important new interiors and the people that created them - both at OEMs and the suppliers they collaborated with. The perfect accompaniment to Car Design News' up-to-the-minute news, interviews, essays, auto show coverage and detailed online design reviews, Interior Motives breaks new ground in the publishing sector, providing unparalleled depth and incisive quotes from the people and companies that are pushing interior design in new and exciting directions.

New Volvo V40 & Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Goodwood Festival of Speed debut

The new Volvo V40 and the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid will get their UK debut at the Moving Motor Show at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Volvo have been on something of a roll since the Chinese took the reins, and are starting to look like they’re capable of moving from the no man’s land between mainstream and premium in to proper premium car territory. The new Volvo that jumps out as capable of taking on BMW and Mercedes is the new Volvo V40, a very stylish and appealing package that looks like it will be able to hold its own against the new A Class and 1 Series.