Toyota Crown Comfort 1998 Radiator Grille [0710400] on 2040-parts.com

Kia to launch a new range-topping V8 saloon dubbed K9

Kia will build their rumoured rear-wheel drive V8 saloon - but it won't come to the UK, sources in Korea have confirmed to CAR.Following the domestic badge hierarchy, this new range-topper would logically be called the K9. Perhaps that dog-inspired badge may explain why the car won’t come to Europe, but US sales are expected.  Kia’s new range-topper: the ‘K9’ The new large Kia saloon was scheduled to be shown in 2011, but it has now been pushed back to a 2012 launch. The new saloon would sit above the front-drive 3.5-litre V6 K7/Cadenza saloon in the Kia line-up. CAR understands the new exec will be ready by May 2012.   The K9 represents the first application of sister brand Hyundai's rear-drive technology from the Genesis and Equus. Expect Hyundai's 'Tau' V8 engine under the bonnet, along with the upcoming eight-speed automatic transmission which arrived in the Genesis R-Spec saloon at the 2011 Chicago auto show.

Unrestored '56 Porsche Carrera lands a spot at Pebble Beach concours

One Porsche at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will be making its second appearance. And it will be easy to find--it's the one that looks a bit used. The 1956 Porsche 356 1500 GS Carrera coupe made its Pebble debut in 1956 at the road races.

Opel hires 2011 CDN-Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition winner

Opel has taken on the winner of last year's Car Design News – Opel/Vauxhall Interactive Design Competition, Victor Uribe, to work as the latest addition to its creative design team. Uribe, a Transportation Design graduate from Istituto Europeo Di Design in Turin, Italy, emerged as the winner in the exterior design category for his submission, ‘Lounge in Motion', and won himself a six-month internship at the Opel/Vauxhall's European Design Studio in Rüsselsheim, Germany. "I met fantastic people who taught me a lot and helped me to refine my design skills.