Intake Manifold Pressure Sensor (map)/capteur Pression Du Collecteur D'admission on 2040-parts.com

SEAT hints at new Nurburgring lap record

Repeated references to the Nurburgring during the press conference at the launch of the new SEAT Leon Cupra strongly suggest that the 280hp hot hatch has broken the front-wheel drive lap record. SEAT is waiting until the 2014 Geneva Motor Show before saying any more, but has already hinted that its new Leon Cupra is significantly faster than the current Renaultsport Megane record holder. On Bing: see pictures of the new SEAT Leon Cupra at the Nurburgring SEAT Leon Cupra and Cupra 280 review (2014 onwards) To set a new front-wheel drive production car record on the Nordschleife, the SEAT Leon Cupra would have to lap the 13-mile circuit – actually a public toll road that now plays a vital part in new car development – in less than 8 minutes and 7.97 seconds.

Concept Car of the Week: Mazda Taiki (2007)

Mazda had been doing fantastically well with its concepts since the end of 2006, and its offering for the 2007 Tokyo motor show didn't buck the trend. The fourth in the 'Nagare' series that explored the idea of 'Flow, it lined up on the Mazda stand with its older brothers for the first time, and was understandably a most impressive display and one of the highlights of this show. Here's what Nick Hull had to say about the Taiki at the time.

Ford announces new Silicon Valley research laboratory

Ford has announced plans to open a new R&D center in California's Silicon Valley with a view to creating a hub for collaborative technology projects. With neighbors including Google, Microsoft, facebook, Apple and Stanford University, it's certainly setting up shop in the right part of town. Its location also connects Ford's Advanced Design Studio in Irvine, CA and Ford employees working with connectivity platform partner Microsoft Corp.