Corvette Radiator Insulator, Left, Lower, 1997-2004 on 2040-parts.com

Honda opens Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles

Honda inaugurated its new Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles last week, coinciding with the LA auto show's first press day. It's the third design studio for the Japanese manufacturer in the region and is poised to lead the development of Honda's advanced automobile design activity. The new studio is located in the heart of Downtown LA, which has been experiencing a resurgence in the past decade.

Porsche Panamera Convertible coming

Porsche are planning a 2 door Panamera Convertible That new Porsche 928 now looks an even more likely possibility after Automotive News reported that Porsche are looking to make a convertible Panamera. But it won’t be a four door convertible, but a two door. The report says that is to help with rigidity (we buy that) and to keep weight down (yeah, just like they have on the saloon), but what it does mean is that Porsche could easily engineer a fixed-roof, shortened Panamera to create a high-end GT in the style of the 928.

Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake Goodwood FoS debut

The estate version of the Mercedes-Benz CLS – the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake – will debut at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake – well, a concept CLS SB – bowed in at the Beijing Motor Show in 2010 and although we’ve seen it running around the roads, it’s seemed no closer to production. But it looks like Mercedes has now had long enough to play with the oxymoron that is a coupe estate and the CLS Shooting Brake will get its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of June.