Standard Motor Products S1331 Connector/pigtail (body Sw & Rly) on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

Citroen UK adds more incentives

It’s no surprise as car companies fight to shift metal that the offers to buyers will get better and better until we all start buying again. So Citroen has pitched in with some extra new year offers to tempt wary buyers. Citroen are now extending their ‘VAT Free’ offer across the range on Berlingo Multispace, C4, C4 Picasso, C8 and C-Crosser, which means savings of up to £3.5k are now available without haggling at Citroen dealers throughout the UK.

Driven: Mitsubishi i

We first reviewed the diminutive Mitsubishi 'i' when it was unveiled at the 2005 Tokyo Motor show and, while we were pleased with the overall design of the car, we were disappointed that Mitsubishi had chosen not to export the innovative vehicle to other markets. But with the popularity of this compact urban cruiser soaring in Japan and the recent availability of the vehicle in the UK, we now had a chance to give it a go on the often traffic crippled streets of central London. Congestion in urban milieus is not a new phenomenon, but even with London's congestion charging system extorting money from drivers it doesn't seem to be getting any better.