Racing Power R7480p Black Rear Sump Oil Pan (6 Qts) on 2040-parts.com

Smart Forspeed concept signals new design direction

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand. Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized Forspeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next Fortwo and the revived Forfour, which will be launched in 2014. "The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts.

Buy Dad a piece of the famed Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway

You might never get the chance to dominate the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., the way Nicky Hayden and Alex Zanardi did, but you can still make your mark on the famous stretch. A spectator terrace is being constructed atop the turn, and racing fans can buy a brick etched with a name or personal message to sit on the walk of fame. It sure beats a tie for Dad on Father's Day, and all of the money raised will go to improving the raceway.

New Michelin Premier A/S with EverGrip tyres promise better grip when worn and 60,000 miles

New Michelin Premier A/S with EverGrip tyres (pictured) promise better grip when worn and 60,000 miles We all know that tyres for a car don’t seem to last five minutes, and every mile you drive from new makes the tyres less effective. But Michelin reckon they’ve turned that logic on its head with their new Premier A/S with Evergrip. Due to launch in the US in spring – and hopefully the UK and Europe later in the year – the Michelin Premier A/S with EverGrip has new tyre technology that actually improves grip as the tyre wears, and promises 60,000 miles of useful life.