Garmin Aera 550 on 2040-parts.com

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport Limited Editions announced

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport Limited Editions announced January isn’t the hottest sales month for car makers, so a limited edition or two to get footfall in car showrooms is a good idea. So Skoda has revealed a pair of Rapid special editions for the UK in the Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport to put a bit of extra fizz in sales. The Skoda Rapid SE Connect starts life as a a Rapid SE with the 85bhp 1.2 litre petrol engine and comes in either Brilliant Silver or Denim Blue with 16″ alloys, parking sensors, SatNav and DAB.

'Project paradise' up for grabs

IT COULD be project paradise for keen car owners this month, when a series of fabulous cars in need of restoration go under the hammer. The Anglia Car Auctions Classic event will take in project cars from across the decades, with one amazing lot more than 100 years old. There are sought-after Alfa Romeos, including a 1978 Alfasud that was raced by former British Touring Car champion Steve Soper and a 1988 Spider, the latter of which has an estimate of just £500.

Who's Where: GM's new Asian and European design studio appointments

New additions have been made to the design management teams at General Motors, both in Asia and in Europe. Effective today (August 1), Friedhelm Engler begins his new role as Director of Design for the Pan Asian Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), based in Shanghai, China.  He is responsible for all design related activities in the joint venture between General Motors and the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC).