Kodiak Stainless Impeller #5 on 2040-parts.com

Exclusive: Honda to Close European Design Studios

In a surprise announcement, Honda has decided to close design operations in Europe, based in Germany. The decision to shut down both the car design and motorcycle design studios of Honda R&D Europe (HRE-G) in Offenbach, near Frankfurt was taken at the end of September and came as a shock announcement to employees. It represents the latest casualty in cuts for the car design community.

2013 facelift for the Mercedes E Class & Estate revealed

The 2013 Mercedes E Class and E Class Estate get a facelift with updates to the styling and engines and higher levels of equipment. The restyling of the 2013 E-Class is surprisingly comprehensive for what amounts to a mid-life facelift, with new single headlights replacing the old split lights, new grill – with the choice of a traditional grill or a sporty version (think SLC grill) – new bumpers, new bonnet, smoother haunches and a crease line down the side all the way to the new LED tail lights. Inside, the new E Class gets two part trim the extends right across the dash in either wood (if you’re old) or aluminium (if you’re not), new analogue clock in the middle between the air vents, new instrument cluster, new air vents, new centre console  and new steering wheel with a Direct Select lever and flappy paddles.

Gazoo Racing upgrades the Scion FR-S

Since the 2013 Subaru BRZ and the 2013 Scion FR-S met the public last month, all people want to talk about is when a turbo or supercharged version is coming out. It seems 200 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque just isn't enough. Japanese firm Gazoo Racing decided not to wait for the factory and built a supercharged—and turbocharged—Toyota 86 (our Scion FR-S) that it's calling the Gazoo Racing Sport FR.