Toyota Crown 2004 Audio [3e61050] on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes for engine supply

It has seemed for some time that Aston Martin’s wish-list for future engines revolved around Mercedes. They currently use a V12 developed from Ford’s Mondeo V6 and a V8 that’s a development of the 4.2 litre that was in Jaguars (and Range Rovers) until a few years ago, but new engines (and new platforms) are vital if Aston are to remain competitive. Before the recent investment in AML by Investindustrial, there were plans for Aston to use both engines and platforms from Mercedes (the Lagonda SUV was built on the underpinnings of the Mercedes GL) and even the possibility that Aston Martin would design and build the next generation Maybach.

CDN-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design competition winner announced

Vladislav Domanin is the overall winner of the CDN-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design competition. The announcement was made by Friedhelm Engler, Director GME Advanced Design, during the second day press day of the Paris motor show on the Opel/Vauxhall stand. Mateusz Wowk from the Academy of Art of Design in Wroclaw was this year's runner-up in the exterior category, while Matic Vihtelic of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Ljubljana, was declared runner-up in the interior category.

BMW Concept X5 eDrive hybrid set for Frankfurt motor show

BMW is on a roll when it comes to electric-car technology, and the German automaker will be showing a new X5, dubbed the BMW Concept X5 eDrive, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in just a few weeks. The concept uses a four-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology coupled with a 95-hp electric motor. This hybrid powerplant is coupled with BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.