Honda Big Red Hat on 2040-parts.com

Future products: Kia seeks lively, upscale look

Kia's redesigned Optima sedan and the Cadenza replacement for the Amanti, both due next year, reflect an emphasis on creating a livelier and more upscale look for the once-bland brand. Indeed, styling has been a crucial element of Kia's new-product push in the past 18 months. The team at Kia Design Center America near Los Angeles--part of the automaker's global design network led by onetime Audi design chief Peter Schreyer--has helped set the new styling direction.

Ford B-Max to go in to production

Ford are to begin production of the Ford B-Max crossover. The Iosis Concept (pictured) gives us a clue on how it will look. It’s been a while coming, but it looks like Ford’s replacement for the Fusion is now ready to go in to production in Romania as the Ford B-Max, sitting below the newly sorted S-Max and looking to take on the likes of the new Vauxhall Meriva.

New Nissan Navara NP300 pick-up arrives

The glitzier new Nissan Navara pick-up (pictured) arrives Double cab pick-ups are an odd creation, but they make a practical – and tax-efficient – option for users who need both a car and a pick-up, so the arrival of the new 2015 Nissan Navara pick-up matters to many. Styling on the new Navara isn’t dramatically different to the current model, but the 2015 Navara does look a bit more glitzy with its new chrome grill, chrome mirrors,  detail crease down the side, black B-pillars and some very non-utilitarian colour choices like Savannah Yellow. Inside, Nissan has moved the Navara up a notch or two in quality and ergonomics with a high-res colour display, aluminium trim (well, trim that looks aluminium), decent seats and a new steering wheel.