Bwd Automotive R210 Horn Relay on 2040-parts.com

Maeda named new Mazda design boss, replacing van den Acker

Ikuo Maeda is the new head of design at Mazda Motor Corp. The man who is credited with styling the Mazda's flagship sports car takes over for Dutchman Laurens van den Acker, 43, who has decided to leave the company "to pursue other interests," the automaker said in a statement today. Van den Acker, who joined Mazda in 2006, will remain at the automaker until April 10 to ensure a smooth transition for Maeda, Mazda said.

McLaren 650S priced from £195,250 and does 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds

The new McLaren 650S (pictured) costs from £195,250 It’s only ten days since the McLaren 650S was revealed as a more hardcore version of McLaren 12C supercar – and with more than a hint of P1 styling – but McLaren are already building it and have revealed performance and price details. Available as either a 650S Coupe or 650S Spider, the starting point is £195,250 for the Coupe and £212,250 for the Spider, that’s almost £20k more for the 650S Coupe than the 12C Coupe and £17k more for the Spider. But apart from the more dramatic styling, increased downforce and tweaks from the extra power – the 650S gets 641bhp – to the improved handling and dynamics, you also get increased levels of optional equipment including carbon racing seats from the P1, rear parking camera and full carbon fibre interior.

Cycle or walk, charity urges parents

PARENTS could save a collective £2 billion a year if they ditched the school run and accompanied children to lessons on foot or by bicycle, says a transport charity. On average, each set of parents could reduce costs by £642 a year if they did not use their car to ferry their offspring to and from school, said Sustrans. Around 11 million journeys a day are made between home and school, while, on average, primary school children live 1.8 miles from school, which is a 25-minute brisk walk, or 15-minute bike ride.