Front Brake Disc on 2040-parts.com

2014 World Car Awards shortlist announced

The shortlist of finalists for the 2014 World Car Awards (WCAs) has been announced, revealing the cars that will compete for the 2014 World Car of the Year, as well as the World Luxury Car, the World Performance Car, the World Green Car and the World Car Design 2014 awards. MSN Cars’ very own Peter Burgess is amongst the 69 global motoring journalists who have whittled down the contenders in each of the categories – there are supposed to be 10 of each, but some tied results at this stage mean some of the awards have slightly more finalists this year. The next stage reduces the field down to three cars vying for each award.

Syd Mead exhibition opens in New York

A selection of the work of Syd Mead – the designer behind some of the most iconic vehicles in films such as Blade Runner and Aliens – has gone on display at the BravinLee Gallery in New York. The exhibition of the works, which span the forty years of his career to date, is sure to excite fans of the visionary designer, who continues to inspire designers young and old. Daniel Simon, the concept designer behind such films as Marvel's Captain America and TRON Legacy, for example has worked closely with Mead.

Audi A3 Cabriolet (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Completing the quadruple A3 bodystyle line-up is this new drop-top: the Audi A3 Cabriolet. The new soft-top is bigger yet lighter than the old convertible A3, and has morphed into a more resolved silhouette courtesy of its booted rear instead of the old version’s chopped hatch profile. Plus, for the first time ever, an S3 Cabriolet is set to join the range, offering a 155mph breeze in your hair, and 0-62mph in around 5.0sec.