Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.

Ford Focus RS photo leak

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 June 2008 17:50 These leaked, blinding lime-green photos of the new Ford Focus RS have surfaced on the internet today – nearly a month ahead of the planned unveiling of Ford's new hot hatch. However, CAR has learned that they are computer-generated images of the Focus RS and do not reveal the finished item, which will be launched at the 2008 London motor show in July.The three shots were used in an internal presentation in 2007 and insiders claim the finished car is considerably different. Come back to CAR Online on 4 July 2008 to find out exactly how different it is...So what do we know about the new Ford Focus RS?Ford's latest hot hatch will use the front-wheel drive chassis and powertrain of the regular Focus ST, but beefed up considerably by the boys in the RS division.

Holden restores its futuristic 1969 Hurricane concept car

Holden, General Motors' Australian subsidiary, has resurrected its first-ever concept car: the 1969 Hurricane, packed with then-futuristic technology, some of which wouldn't make its way into production cars for more than a decade. When it was first revealed, the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat sports car showcased in-your-dreams innovations such as a rearview camera, a magnet-based navigation system, automatic air conditioning, electronic displays and a station-seeking radio. Holden designers started restoring the Hurricane concept--code-named RD 001--in 2006, using as many of the original parts as possible.