Relay - Intermotor on 2040-parts.com

Nissan’s new lightweight philosophy revealed

The leaked official drawings of the new Nissan Micra might have revealed the conventional styling of the company’s new supermini, but they gave little clue to the dramatically lightweight new platform that underpins it. The new Micra will be significantly lighter and more fuel efficient than the outgoing car due to a ruthless pursuit of weight reduction on the new V-platform (V = versatile), which on average has slashed 50kg from the new car's weight, and up to 70kg on some models. Project leader Noritaka Tsuru described the new package as a 'breakthrough car' that required a complete 'change in mentality' in how Nissan makes cars.

CDN and Opel/Vauxhall launch new Interactive Competition – design the Ampera of 2020

‘Design the 2020 Ampera': That's the challenge being thrown down to European design students by Opel/Vauxhall's design team in a new interactive competition launched today in conjunction with Car Design News. The Car Design News - Opel/Vauxhall Interactive competition builds on last year's inaugural competition, which tasked students with designing a ‘Lounge in motion'. To enter this year's competition click here: Design the 2020 Ampera The prizes - Six-month paid internship at their design studios in Russelsheim, Germany - Finalists will have their work displayed on the Opel/Vauxhall stand at the 2012 Paris salon de l'auto and be invited to attend the show, where the winner will be announced The brief Most students will be well aware of Opel/Vauxhall's ground breaking Ampera - the range-extended electric vehicle that goes on sale across Europe in 2012.

MINI United Festival Roundup

Olivia Harrison and Paul Weller at the MINI United Event at Silverstone [ad#ad-1] The MINI United Event has been with us for a couple of years now, but with this year being the 50th Anniversary of the Mini, the event exploded in to something pretty huge. Held at Silverstone over this weekend there were cars, and people, from the four corners of the earth. Over 10,000 Minis, and 25,000 people, made the pilgrimage to Silverstone to celebrate all things Mini (and MINI) in style.