Bmw 3-series E46 Tarpaulin Cover on 2040-parts.com

Michelin Challenge Design 2007: The not so ugly truth about rising vehicle safety standards

Can cars be safe and beautiful at the same time? That may not have been the case a few decades ago when automakers were forced to hang those big, ugly so-called federal bumpers off the ends of their vehicles.  With vehicle safety standards on the rise around the globe are designers today feeling a little '70s deja vu when it comes to meeting the challenges of making cars safe as well as more fuel efficient? "(Back then) we said it was the end of automotive styling," says Patrick Le Quement, senior vice president for corporate design at Renault and one of the world's most influential automotive designers.

Nurburgring redesign plans unveiled

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 13 November 2008 09:19 Anyone who’s been to the Nurburgring recently will have seen building work on a massive scale. So what’s going on? It’s all part of a €215 million investment that’ll see Europe’s most famous race track build on its uber track day reputation to become what marketing boss Stephan Cimbal describes as a motorsport theme park that’s open 365 days a year.

Nissan 370Z prices announced

Nissan 370Z prices announced By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 27 January 2009 12:21 Nissan has announced prices for UK-spec 370 Z sports cars, and punters will be pleased to learn that the entry-level Zed will cost £26,895 – a mere £166 more than the 350Z. All cars of course come with a rear-wheel drive chassis and 328bhp 3.7-litre V6, but base-model 370Zs also have climate-control, electric seats, 18-inch wheels, automatic xenon lights, plus aux-in and Bluetooth connections. For an extra £3300 you can get the GT pack, which replaces your measly 18-inch alloys with 19in forged Rays items, gives you electric heated leather seats, upgrades your stereo and adds the Synchro Rev Control, which automatically blips the throttle on downshifts.