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2014 Audi R8 to drop manual gearbox

2014 Audi R8 to lose manual gearbox It’s reported that the new Audi R8 – due in 2104 after a facelift in 2012 – will lose the manual gearbox option. It’s at least two years before the next generation Audi R8 arrives in 2014, but if reports from CAR are right then Audi’s next sporting flagship will do without a manual gearbox altogether. With all that’s on offer in the current R8 apart from the manual ‘box being the rather poor R-Tronic ‘box, that may seem like a recipe for sales disaster for the R8.

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.

Holden restores its futuristic 1969 Hurricane concept car

Holden, General Motors' Australian subsidiary, has resurrected its first-ever concept car: the 1969 Hurricane, packed with then-futuristic technology, some of which wouldn't make its way into production cars for more than a decade. When it was first revealed, the mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat sports car showcased in-your-dreams innovations such as a rearview camera, a magnet-based navigation system, automatic air conditioning, electronic displays and a station-seeking radio. Holden designers started restoring the Hurricane concept--code-named RD 001--in 2006, using as many of the original parts as possible.