Chevrolet 350 Turbo Transmission Short Shaft on 2040-parts.com

Ford warms up new era of car-guy leaders

A minor temblor shook Dearborn, Mich., today with the announcement that Mark Fields, president of the Americas, climbed the golden corporate ladder to grab the chief operating officer ring, setting him up to succeed Alan Mulally in a couple of years. The move did not come as a shock-it only confirmed the whispers of auto industry Royal Watchers. The biggest news for those who care about cars, however, is two-fold: Jim Farley, Ford's global marketing boss, also takes the helm of Lincoln.

VW New Compact Coupe at Detroit motor show 2010

This is Volkswagen’s New Compact Coupé (or NCC for short), a new coupé concept car just unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. And although it’s just a show car for now, this gorgeous A5-alike two-door is expected to go into production within the next two years. Under the bonnet is a 148bhp/177lb ft direct-injection and turbocharged 1.4-litre TSI engine, which drives the front wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

Audi Allroad Shooting Brake unveiled at 2014 Detroit Motor Show

This is Audi’s Allroad Shooting Brake show car, unveiled on the eve of the Detroit Motor Show. It's a reminder that Audi is gunning for sales from Mercedes-Benz and BMW - and a warning that there isn’t a niche it isn’t prepared to plug. The tri-motor, all-wheel drive hybrid, complete with 400hp and 480lb ft of torque, promises to be a fast, usable crossover when it appears on sale – and Audi is hinting that might not be too far away.