Polaris Xcr 800 Fuel Gauge on 2040-parts.com

Videos: Volkswagen's exterior and interior designers highlight the Up's design elements

We've enjoyed the design of Volkswagen's new Up since we first saw the vehicle in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Devoid of any extraneous detailing, the simple, product design aesthetic is pared back to represent the crux of VW's design philosophy: pure, simple and solid.  The result is a harmonious design that stands out from the pack, with simple surfacing and subtle detailing; the Up's design is pure and minimalistic, which serves to exude quality in the product. Inside, the vehicle is brimming with space-saving design details.  From an IP devoid of central air vents to a thin headrest that visually extends the height of the interior, the Up is a success story in space efficiency, but it is also finished to a high level using quality materials.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato: Zig arrives at the Nurburgring

The AML V12 Zagato arrives at the Nurburgring. We knew that the Aston Martin V12 Zagato – which recently took Vill d’Este by storm – was heading for the Nurburgring to stretch its muscles. What we didn’t know was that it would turn up in a fetching shade of Kermit green, complete with enormous wing and rear diffuser.

Rimac Concept_One Electric Supercar Salon Prive debut

The very impressive Rimac Concept_One electric hypercar, which debuted at Frankfurt 2011, is to show at Salon Prive. Now the Goodwood Festival of Speed  is over for another year, the next big petrolhead event is Salon Prive – which has been pushed back to September to avoid clashing with London 2012 – and Mate Rimac has announced his Rimac_One electric hypercar will be making its UK debut on the lawns of Syon Park. The Mitac_One, which was revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year and conceived by precocious 24yr old Mate Rimac,  is a technological tour de force for electric cars, offering four electric motors – one on each wheel – which can accelerate and decelerate independently to offer true four wheel vectoring and stunning handling.