Model A Ford Water Inlet on 2040-parts.com

Missed Shift? American Top Gear struggles to find its own identity

"What happened to Top Gear?" my favorite bartender asked this past weekend. "Somebody took the BBC's scripts and wrote Tanner, Rutledge and Adam over cues which previously said Jeremy, Richard and James," I replied. It's an easy sideswipe I admit, but for me--and I'm guessing for the automotive enthusiasts who constitute AutoWeek's audience--it largely tells the tale.

Concept Car of the Week: Renault Altica (2006)

Back in 2006 Renault was still well into its design-leadership stride, if perhaps not for much longer. The Altica concept, shown at that year's Geneva motor show, showcased all the French brand had to offer at that time – a brilliantly brave, architectural interior, a style that could only be associated with its country of origin and an interior that thoroughly questioned and readdressed layout, control and format. It also served to preview the renaissance of the Shooting Brake that the industry is still experiencing.

Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV (w/ Gallery)

Mitsubishi Motors has revealed that it will be showing a total of 16 cars at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, one of which being this PX-MiEV plug-in crossover concept. According to the Japanese automaker, solid, safety and simple were the keywords which drove the development of its exterior design, and Mitsubishi is keen to imbue this next-generation crossover with a simple appearance. All extraneous elements have been pared, so the design is free of 'rugged' elements typical in conventional SUVs.