Dacco B6m Torque Converter on 2040-parts.com

LA Design Challenge 2010 announced

This year will see the seventh running of the annual LA Auto Show Design Challenge when the industry circus hits the US west coast in November. All participating studios have been tasked to envision a 1000lb (454kg) 2+2 vehicle that is both comfortable and secure while delivering satisfactory driving performance without sacrificing the emotional connection and beautiful styling today's consumers demand. For the first time, design studios from outside the US – from both Germany and Japan – will compete for the prize.

Renault Twizy gets the Formula One treatment

Renault has applied the state-of-the-art kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) used in its Formula One drivelines to the pint-sized Twizy electric car. The result? A new zero-emission concept whose claimed 0-62-mph acceleration time matches that of the French carmaker's fastest production car, the RenaultSport Megane 265, at 6.0 seconds.

Autoweek in review: What you might have missed

Here's a look at some big stories that you might have missed this week: -- The Detroit auto show opened to the media this week, with big reveals of the Dodge Dart, the Ford Fusion, the Cadillac ATS and two Chevrolet concepts. See all our coverage here. http://www.autoweek.com/section/detroit -- Autoweek editors announced their show favorites, crowning the Ford Fusion, Acura NSX concept, Dodge Dart and Porsche 911 Cabriolet with the Editors' Choice Awards.