Fiat 1500 Osca Tachometer on 2040-parts.com

Who's Where: James Hope appointed Director of Design at Chery Motors

James Hope has been appointed Corporate Director of Design at Chery Motors, the Chinese state-owned carmaker. He joins Chery from General Motors, where he held the position of Assistant Chief Designer since February 2008. Hope took up his new position on 16 January, based in Chery's Shanghai satellite studio from where he will report directly to Chen Anning, Chery's Head of Product Development.

Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost sets 16 world speed records

The new Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost has set 16 world speed records in two days of testing at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine. Who’d have thought that a little 3-cylinder engine in a Ford Focus could ever be an appealing prospect? But it’s become very clear that Ford’s little boosted 3-pot is quite the star and, for almost anyone who does a normal mileage, by far the choice over a diesel-engined Focus.

Jaguar at Le Mans – the Cat returns

Jaguar returns to Le Mans for 2010 (click for bigger image) 2010 marks the 75th anniversary of Jaguar and a close look at the state of Jaguar after so long in the business of making cars sees it in better shape than at any time for the last forty years. The current range of cars – soon to be joined on the road by the new Jaguar XJ – is the best on offer for a generation, and there’s a new feel about Jaguar; confident; forward looking; innovative. Jaguar is quickly become a desirable marque once more, and the future plans for Jaguar seem set to cement that growing feeling.