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From Cape Town to London -- in a Fiat Panda

If we wanted to break the speed record for the run from Cape Town, South Africa to London -- a quick 10,000-mile jaunt -- we'd start out by scouring the classifieds for something big and rugged. A Land Rover would be a classic choice, but a tricked-out Toyota or Jeep could do nicely as well. A team consisting of British rally drivers Philip Young and Paul Brace are taking a somewhat different approach.

Ford Design Center set to expand

Symbolic of the importance it plays in Ford's small car strategy, the automakers Design Center in Cologne, Germany, is about to receive a €11.6m redevelopment. Construction is already underway on the facility's new wing, which will include design studios and 100 workplaces. The 3,000 square-meter extension is set to be completed by the end of the year.

Modern Vinyl: Ford rocks custom cladding for Mustang and F-150

Looking to wrap your ride in a new identity? Ford is offering custom vinyl graphics for two of its spotlight vehicles--the Mustang and the F-150. They graphics are available through www.fordcustomgraphics.com, and nearly 50 designs will be sold to visually enhance each of the Blue Oval icons.