Ford Ranger Bendix 12997 Clutch Master Cylinder-bendix 1994 Ford Ranger on 2040-parts.com

Who's Where: Satoshi Wada to open independent design studio

Satoshi Wada, former Senior Designer at Audi AG and Nissan Design Japan, is set to open his own design studio. Called SWdesign TOKYO, his ambitious plan follows on from a growing line of design managers who have left successful OEMs to establish their own design practices. Wada, who resigned from Audi AG in Ingolstadt earlier this month, told CDN he is aiming "to create a new vision with my own independent design studio in Tokyo".

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Porsche has released pictures of the most intense 997 yet, the GT3 RS. Due to be released in spring next year in North America, the RS produces 415PS from its naturally-aspirated 3.6l flat-six, enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.2 seconds. Power is sent through the rear wheels only, whose surrounding shoulders widen by 43mm to accommodate the extra track.

CAR scoop: BMW and Toyota's joint sports car plot

BMW is buddying up with Toyota on an all-new sports car platform, set to underpin the replacements for the Z4, 6-series and GT86. The unlikely collaboration stems from an alliance that began in 2011, where BMW and Toyota agreed to co-develop next-generation lithium ion batteries, and for Toyota to use BMW’s fourpot diesels in its European cars. An engineering team is beavering away on the project, with the clock ticking: the suits want to outline the car’s specification before the end of 2013. What does BMW get out of the bargain?