Indian Primary Case Plug on 2040-parts.com

What the Future Holds, Nobody Knows

It's a testament to the talent, charisma and relative celebrity of Ian Callum, Derek Jenkins and Franz von Holzhausen - heads of Jaguar, Mazda and Tesla design, respectively - that they managed to captivate a crowd of industry insiders at the tail end of the Los Angeles Auto Show's second press-preview day. This despite being given a nebulous topic to discuss with a moderator who knew little about the subject. Dan Lyons, a technology columnist at Newsweek, oversaw the panel discussion that was to focus on "Tomorrow's Cars...Practical Transportation or Groundbreaking Design?" He asked only one question on that topic before digressing into a more general discourse on the design strategies of Jaguar, Mazda and Tesla.

Frankfurt auto show: Mercedes-Benz previews the electric B-class

Mercedes-Benz revealed an electric-powered B-class with range-extending capabilities at the Frankfurt motor show. This rounds out the company's line of standard gasoline- and diesel-engine versions in the second generation of the multipurpose fiver-seater. Set to go on sale in selected markets in 2013, the B-class E-cell Plus is propelled by a 136-hp electric motor that draws electricity from a lithium-ion battery mounted low within the car's MFA platform structure.

Video: BMW 7 Series

BMW has released new images and a lengthy press release detailing the design process for the new 7 Series sedan, set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. We'll spare you the hyperbole here, but stay tuned for a Design Review of the Munich-based automaker's new range topping vehicle once we've seen the car in the metal in Paris. In the meantime, check out these videos of the new 7 Series in action and hear what BMW Cars Director of Design, Adrian van Hooydonk, has to say about the design of the new flagship.