Sherman 3713-125-1 Fog Light Assembly Left Mitsubishi Eclipse on 2040-parts.com

Frankfurt 2011: New Vauxhall Astra GTC (2012) debut

Vauxhall Astra GTC finally arrives at Frankfurt The Vauxhall Astra GTC (and its European equivalent Opel GTC) finally gets to go on public view at Frankfurt this week, a year after it arrived as a concept at Paris. Based on the more prosaic five-door Astra, the GTC carries over just about nothing except the door handles although it still conspires to look like a slightly squashed, butch version of its sibling. The Astra GTC is a decent looking effort from Vauxhall – as is the regular Astra – designed to take the fight to cars like the Scirroco.

Rolls Royce Wraith Drophead Coupe confirmed for production.

The Rolls Royce Wraith (pictured) will get a Drophead sibling in 2016 It was always likely that Rolls Royce would take their ‘affordable’ model – the RR Ghost – and make a coupe version. What wasn’t really on the cards is that they would give it a more dramatic style – and a more driver-focused experience – and tag a name from the past on it to create a new Rolls Royce Wraith for the 21st century. But that’s exactly what they’ve done, and the Wraith does seem to be an effective tool for Rolls Royce to extend the appeal of their cars to a new, perhaps younger, demographic.

Nissan launches UK Clay Modeling Apprentice Program

Nissan has launched a Clay Modeling Apprentice Program in the UK, designed to recruit skilled clay modelers to boost the UK's position in global vehicle design. Business Secretary Vince Cable and Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer were present at the launch – held at Nissan's London-based European Design Center – of a scheme that aims to address the national shortage of clay modelers. Palmer explains, "Clay modeling is an integral part of the design process and vital in helping the design team visualize ideas.