Mercedes W140 High Note Horn 0035423120 on 2040-parts.com

Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

Bentley Continental V8 flies in to Munich (video)

The Bentley Continental V8 flies across Munich The Bentley Continental V8 made a dramatic public debut in Munich when it was flown to the SkyLounge for its launch. The plan to debut the new Bentley Continental V8 (apparently we shouldn’t call it the Continental GT V8, just the Continental V8) in Germany in Munich’s SkyLounge might sound like a perfectly reasonable thing to do. After all, every car maker needs a ‘venue’ for a launch to make an impact, and something called the ‘SkyLounge’ sounds like it might make a good backdrop for Bentley’s newest toy.

Flashback: 1994-96 Chevrolet Impala SS rocked rear-wheel, V8 power

Enthusiasts are already licking their chops as they await the next rear-wheel sedan from Chevrolet. After all, it's been 16 years since the bow-tie brand had a macho four-door of this potential with the power channeled to the back. But what exactly was the 1996 Impala SS?