Drake Billet Grille Insert - Jp-190008-black on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Editions arrive with first owners (video)

Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Editions arrive with first owners The Alfa 4C seems like its taken a very long time to arrive, but the first 4Cs are now in the hands of their owners with Alfa making a bit of a show of the first deliveries of the Alfa 4C launch edition. To garner a bit of PR from the handing over of the first five 4Cs, Alfa Romeo had a bit of a hand over ceremony at the Balocco Test Centre in Vercelli, Italy. The lucky recipients of the first 4Cs (none from the UK) were Pierluigi De Silvestro from Switzerland, Philippe Walch from France, Carlos Diniz from Germany, Aldo Mariani from the Netherlands and Stefano Zanotti from Italy.

Mini Rocketman concept (2011): a guided tour

Anders Warming, Mini's new chief designer who took over from Gert Hildebrand in December 2010, spoke to CAR about the new Rocketman concept car at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Here's the Danish designer's guided tour to the Rocketman - and thoughts on Mini design in the future. CAR: Mini Rocketman: tell us about the front view Anders Warming: 'The front view of the car has to be instantly recognisable Mini, but it also has to have a face that really tells you that the brand is going to the future. That’s why we are emphasising the light rings around the headlamps: the icon of a Mini, but now with LEDs.