Porsche 356 Transmission Side Cover (right ,passenger Side ) on 2040-parts.com

Behind The Scenes: Hot Wheels Design Studio [w/Video]

Hot Wheels' vice president of design Felix Holst has spent some time chatting to Cool Hunting about the brand's design philosophy at its Design Studio at Mattel's headquarters in El Segundo, California, in a new video. According to Holst Hot Wheels has evolved from being focused on muscle cars and V8 engines to being all about technology as a reflection of the new generation they're designing for.  He explains the benefits of designing over 240 vehicles a year that aren't limited by rules and regulations, saying in a studio that's driven by pushing the boundaries, it's a question of just how wild they can get.  The video really captures not only the men's passion for their jobs but the fun they have doing it. Small wonder Holst says he'd never go back to car design, and reveals the studio is packed with qualified car designers who chose Hot Wheels over conventional jobs in the industry.  We also hear from Hot Wheels Car Maker's designer Julian Payne, who explains how the new Car Maker – which gives you the chance to mold your own custom Hot Wheels at home – works.

Alfa Romeo 159 (2009): new engines and trims

By Tim Swietochowski First Official Pictures 28 August 2009 10:52 Alfa Romeo has announced two new additions to the Alfa Romeo 159 engine range, which will also find their way into the Alfa Brera and Spider later in 2009. New trim options for the 159 have also been revealed.The first new powerplant is a 16-valve, turbocharged 1.7-litre petrol, which features variable valve timing and direct injection, developing 200bhp and 236lb ft of torque. The new 1750 TBi, which takes its name from the Alfa 1750 Berlina, propels the 159 to 62mph from rest in 7.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 147mph.Joining the petrol motor is a new common-rail 2.0-litre diesel, the JTDM, which produces 170bhp and 265lb ft of torque to give the derv 159 a 0-62mph time of 8.8 seconds and a top speed of 136mph.Are these new Alfa Romeo engines economical?The new petrol motor produces CO2 emissions of 189g/km (lowering the 159’s UK company car benefit-in-kind tax by six bands in comparison with the old 2.2-litre JTS engine) with the diesel pumping out 142g/km.

Buy a Spyker Bond and get a cheap Spyker B6 Venator

Buy a Spyker Bond and get a cheap B6 Venator (pictured) Last year, Victor Muller seemed to have pulled off something of a coup for Spyker by delivering concepts of the B6 Venator Coupe and Spyder to much acclaim, which looked like a car that could kick-start Spyker’s rather troubled business model. After a foray in to Saab ownership, Victor Muller lost Spyker to CPP, but CPP’s reliance on finance from Victor’s pal Vlad the banker proved to be CPP’s downfall and Victor emerged, somehow, back in control of Spyker. But despite Victor’s legendary ability to schmooze finance from the most unlikely sources, it seems he’s run in to a bit of trouble with financing production of the Venator, so he’s come up with a plan that looks to be a cross between a lottery and crowd funding.