Moog K9871 Steering Idler Arm Bushing on 2040-parts.com

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

FH Joanneum Graz Degree Show 2008

Industrial Design students at the University for Applied Science, FH Joanneum Graz, Austria presented their diploma projects in the annual degree exhibition. A total of 16 students enter the course in the first term every year, with nine graduating this summer. The rest of the students will be graduating in the fall.

Lexus LF-A Roadster (2008): first official pictures

By Guy Bird First Official Pictures 15 January 2008 14:16 While we wait for Lexus finally to turn its long-awaited 200mph V10 LF-A supercar coupe into a production reality, Detroit showgoers had to make do with this roadster version. Still, the unveil of the ‘new’ sawn-off variant was one of the few Detroit surprises not known about beforehand, and offers an enticing glimpse of how the LF-A franchise could develop. Beyond the lack of a roof, the basic body shape is the same as the now-familiar LF-A coupe first unveiled at the 2005 Detroit show.