Mercruiser Mercury 470 Reservoir Housing Part # 74144 / L1576 on 2040-parts.com

Ford Focus ECOnetic

By Ben Barry Motoring Issues 28 August 2007 04:52 Car manufacturers will be tripping over themselves to look leaner and greener at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Today Ford throws its hat into the ring with the Focus ECOnetic. Usually when a car manufacturer announces lowered suspension and an aerodynamics kit for its medium-sized hatchback, it goes hand-in-hand with extra power and a GTi badge.

Porsche opens new Weissach design studio

Porsche has officially opened its new design center. Located at its Weissach development center, the facility includes interior and exterior design departments, plus a dedicated area for concept car construction. According to Porsche chairman, Matthias Müller, the architecture of the new studio has been designed to allow the firm's "creative developers to work hand-in-hand even more methodically than before." The new design center is one of three new buildings opened at the site, which have been built as part of a $200million investment at Weissach.

Kia preparing a range of sporting models

Kia is quietly readying a string of sportier models to pep up its humdrum image, CAR has learned. The burgeoning sports car plan is likely to sire everything from hot hatches to standalone sports cars. On our trip to Korea this week, sources at Kia HQ confirmed a range of performance models, designed to mix some excitement into a brand that now commands respect from mainstream buyers after its crawl upmarket to the volume market alongside Europe's mass-market brands.