Programa Instrument Panel Circuit Board 780 06004 696 Gauge Panel on 2040-parts.com

Freeman Thomas: “it's easier to create your own rocket than create your own car”

The Industrial Designers Society of America's ‘Designing Innovation' panel discussion took place in San Francisco yesterday. The event was sponsored by Ford, with strategic design director, Freeman Thomas taking a place on the panel. Having parked a C-MAX Energi and new F-150 in the venue, Ford's influence weighed rather heavily, particularly in the early moments.

Are laser-powered cars in our future?

We have no shortage of ideas here in the United States about how to power our cars. We’ve seen gasoline and electricity, and we’ve heard about fuel cells powered by water. The nuclear option is the only thing left to discuss.

Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake by Brabus (2012)

Mercedes tuning specialist Brabus has unveiled a raft of packages for the new CLS Shooting Brake. A range of tune-ups, body addenda, alloy wheel designs and sports exhaust packages are to be offered, but the real headline act is the 611bhp option for the flagship CLS63 AMG variant. It's not just a mad-cap power struggle though; Brabus offers a three-year/62,000-mile warranty on all its power upgrades, so bear that in mind if the other half isn't convinced your new family estate needs McLaren 12C-chasing poke.