Motorguide Tm 9609 Lock Slide Pin Vintage on 2040-parts.com

Exclusive: Derek Jenkins to become Design Director at Mazda

Derek Jenkins, former chief designer at the Volkswagen Group design studio in Santa Monica, will become the new Director of Design at Mazda's R&D Design Center in Irvine, CA. Jenkins, who resigned from Volkswagen on March 17th, will be filling the position previously held by Franz von Holzhausen, who left Mazda in August last year to become Design Director at Tesla Motors. "I'm excited to take on something new," Jenkins told CDN.

Toyota GT86 Convertible (the Toyota FT-86 Concept) at Tokyo with roof up

The Toyota FT-86 Open Concept (pictured) gets a roof and new paint job for Tokyo 2013 The Toyota FT-86 Open Concept (effectively a roadster version of the GT86) made an appearance earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, and now Toyota are lining up a new version of the FT-86 for their home show in Tokyo. The FT-86 Open may be billed as a concept, but it’s clear Toyota are keen to see the GT86 Roadster go in to production, and the latest FT-86 for Tokyo demonstrates that with a new paint job and the first views of the fabric roof in place. Complementing the FT-86′s new red paint job it gets door handles, windscreen surround and door mirrors in contrasting grey and the interior gets a set of red carpets.

Essen Motor Show 2013: in pictures

After the corporate seriousness and Germanic efficiency of the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Essen Motor Show is an altogether more relaxed affair. Albeit one delivered with the same level of German efficiency. It's the perfect show for the run-up to Christmas, with wild concepts and weird creations from the custom and tuning industry.