Motorad Mt-300 Radiator Pressure Tester on 2040-parts.com

Design Contest: Stile Italiano Giovani 2004

One of the sad things about being editor of a motoring magazine is turning down all the enthusiastic young job applicants who know exactly how to test Ferraris against Lamborghinis, using Porsches as benchmarks...exactly the kind of people I don't need. I imagine it might be the same with judging a design competition. There will be masses of young people who love drawing cars submitting their sketches - and there it all ends.

2014 Kia Forte trims, slims, adds FlexSteer

The all-new 2014 Kia Forte debuted at the LA Auto Show in November, and it will hit dealerships in the first quarter of this year. Powertrains and trims are consolidated, the interior is updated and the small sedan will now feature something called FlexSteer, which adjusts the weight of the wheel from comfort to normal to sport. Equipment on the second-generation sedan will rival that of almost any of the luxury brands, even in base trim.

Ford software maximizes hybrid efficiency

Ford will use a little navigation wizardry on two of its hybrids: the C-Max Energi plug-in and Fusion. The system will use GPS data and an algorithm to predict when a driver is close frequented destinations. The car will adjust powertrain controls to maximize efficiency.Ford calls the feature EV+, which is part of SmartGauge, standard on the Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi plug-ins and on hybrid models.