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Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.

High-five for Mini's new, larger hatchback

THE LONG-RUMOURED five-door Mini hatchback has finally been unveiled, featuring an extra seat, more legroom and a larger boot than the three-door. By using a longer and wider body, the five-door is able to offer 72mm more legroom for rear passengers, who can also now access the new row of three seats via small but useful rear doors. Boot space is up to 278 litres, which although still comparatively low is 67 more than the three-door hatch can boast.

New Chevrolet Camaro will cost from £35,320 in UK

The facelifted Chevrolet Camaro will arrive in the UK in November 2013 The current Chevrolet Camaro only hit the UK around a year ago, but with a facelift for the Camaro debuting at the New York Auto Show this year the new Camaro is on its way to the UK, with prices starting from £35,320. The changes to the 2014 Camaro amount to a new nose with wider grill and slimmer lights, a set of vents on the bonnet with a new boot lid, diffuser and lights at the back that somehow contrive to make the Camaro look like a Japanese import. Under the bonnet is the same American Muscle engine – a 6.2 litre V8 – with 426bhp if you opt for the manual gearbox and 400bhp if you go for the auto option, with standard equipment including Keyless, MyLink (which gives you a 7″ touchscreen, rear view camera and voice recognition), SatNav and colour heads-up display.