Grey Matrix Concepts M1 1 1/2" Phatty Tie-down on 2040-parts.com

Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Nissan backs radical DeltaWing racecar program

Nissan has announced its involvement in a radical new motorsport project, dubbed the DeltaWing, which will race at the Le Mans 24 Hours this summer using Nissan power. The car is the work of Ben Bowlby who originally designed the car as a proposal for the 2012 IndyCar racer, which has since found the attention of Nissan after its rejection by the American race championship. The headlines of the design are that it's half the weight and has half the aerodynamic drag of a conventional racer and is therefore far more efficient.

Video: CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition featured by Faces of GM

‘Faces of GM', one of General Motor's social media initiaives, tells the story of the people behind the brands of GM. Its latest video features our recent collaborative contest, the CDN-GM Interactive Design Competition. It stars several of the winning students as well as the prize giving event which took place on the Cadillac stand at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit last week.