German Thermostat A4 Tt Beetle Golf Jetta Passat on 2040-parts.com

Automakers scrap diesel plans

Mainstream carmakers have put the brakes on nine diesel-powered vehicles that had been scheduled for 2010. Honda, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Toyota have halted diesel programs because of spiraling costs and other problems. Financial problems halted the programs at some companies.

2013 Kia Carens price & specification. Costs from £17,895.

That’s a subjective call, but the new Carens is a decent looking effort from Kia at a sensible price point with decent equipment levels and offers plenty of family lugging abilities in to the bargain. All Carens models in the UK come with 7 seats and yet is 20mm shorter than the old Carens, But thanks to an extra 50mm in the wheelbase Kia reckons it offers all the space if bigger rivals and, with a flexible configuration for the seating, means the new Carens can accommodate the needs of a mix of load and people carrying with alacrity. The new Carens comes in three trim levels – catchily named 1, 2 and 3 – with 7 seats, cornering lights  LED running lights, electric heated door mirrors, AirCon, electric windows, Cruise, Radio/CD with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth and a rear conversation mirror.

CCS- American Iron and Steel Institute Challenge 2005

Transportation Design students from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit recently presented projects done in conjunction with the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Three students were selected from the college to complete an internship: Chris Piscitelli, Sylvian Bryan and Sang Hoon Shin. They took on the challenge to design a 'functional, innovative and extreme-inspired vehicle that integrates environmental responsibility, cost efficiency and advanced steel materials.' Aside from the peripheral criteria, it is the 'extreme' theme that sticks, the brief satisfyingly encouraging students to really provoke with their imaginations.With the Challenge now in its 17th year, AISI puts its considerable resources to good use, Piscitelli, Bryan and Shin each receiving much support during their internship program, which includes producing scale models of their designs.