Standard Motor Products Us169l Ignition Lock Cylinder on 2040-parts.com

Why we won't be running CDNLive coverage from the Beijing motor show

Over the last couple of years we've grown our CDNLive motor show coverage from the world's most important motor shows, in an effort to bring you closer to all the new cars and news as well as highlighting some of the things you might miss. It's one of our the key content streams that we feel sets us apart from the deluge of auto show coverage. However as you can imagine it also takes a huge amount of time and effort, not to mention a good internet connection.

BMW i8's design explained [w/video]

BMW has released a new YouTube video describing how the i8's design attempts to forge a new relationship between functionality and form. The video explains how the i8's design targets practicality – with aerodynamics and fuel efficiency in mind – while maintaining a sporty and dynamic look. A number of cues such as the long wheelbase, short overhangs and sweeping roofline are identified as features that make the i8 such a unique design.

Art Center BMW/Exa project

There's a new sponsored project that is just getting under way at Art Center College of Design, the likes of which hasn't been seen in a very long time - if at all. The school's Transportation Design department has helped bring together BMW with Exa Corporation, a Boston-based virtual aerodynamic simulation company, and has tasked the students to re-design the current BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle with the hope of dramatically increasing its aerodynamic efficiency while still retaining the BMW flagship SAV design language. This brief is quite timely in the context of the industry's ongoing focus with sustainability and strikes at the core of the BMW Group's long term energy strategy known as the concept of Efficient Dynamics.