Ls2 Timing Chain on 2040-parts.com

Design Essay: Are smart roads just around the corner?

In order to remain relevant, the car must constantly evolve. But while almost all attention focuses on four wheels, the roads that facilitate an automobile's progress have remained relatively unaltered since Eisenhower formed the National Highway system in the 1950s. With environmental concerns getting ever higher on the agenda, there is an opportunity to think outside the (metal) box and rethink the road, making it as smart as the vehicles and devices that travel upon it.

Suzuki Cervo

Suzuki is a relatively low-key brand without the variety of models nor media exposure afforded by rivals, so it might be surprising to learn that over the past fifty years they have not had an annual loss, while their growth rate in Europe since 2000 is on a par with Toyota's. With sales figures now snapping at the heels of Renault, Suzuki has just launched the Cervo, a new car for the K-class segment in Japan. The Suzuki Cervo follows the popular Grand Vitara and award-winning Swift, and has also been dubbed stylish and sporty.

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.