Polaris Right Gear Case Transmission Housing on 2040-parts.com

Hot seats: from design to delivery [sponsored]

As the user demands on car interiors are increasingly influenced by their growing design consciousness, so suppliers like Lear strive to bring better-engineered seating to satisfy. 2013 was another big year for Lear, as Jeanette Puig-Pey, its global fabric & leather design manager, enthuses: "At our ‘Design2Perform' event we celebrated the unveiling of our brand new collection, with special emphasis on color and texture and our TeXstyle Enhance product, perfect for customization. Laser etching is part of this offering, it is exclusive to Lear Corporation and can be used to add refined design elements to cloth and leather." A mix of fabric and leather in seating is not new but is often seen by the consumer as a cheaper alternative to full leather.

Concept Car of the Week: Ford Mustang I (1962)

Influenced by science fiction and Space exploration in the early sixties, Ford Motor Corporation developed a series of research vehicles to test innovative layouts, experimental technologies and futuristic styling on such radical concepts as the X2000, Levacar Mach 1 and the Gyron that still captivate the imagination. In parallel, Ford's advanced styling studio was also working on a more rational project that could influence production models to compete with GM Corvair Monza. Stylists and engineers came up with a high-performance 2-seater vehicle with the engine placed in front of the rear axle for better aerodynamics and improved weight distribution.

Porsche releases accessories for owners who want to upgrade

Porsche is making it possible for owners of older cars to add some modern- or classic-looking equipment. The classic look comes from the availability of 19-inch wheels styled to replicate the look of the Fuchs rims used on the 911 Sport Classic in 1966. The wheel's five spokes are painted black with a silver look to the outer rim and the Porsche logo in color on the wheel hub.