Toyota Park Neutral Safety Switch Sensor Shift Lever 89451-48010 on 2040-parts.com

2012 BMW M5 revealed in production trim

The wraps have been torn off the fire-breathing 2012 BMW M5. And, as expected, the Bavarian luxury maker is going in a different direction under the hood. BMW is eschewing a naturally aspirated powerplant in the new M5, whose high-revving roots date to the 1980s, in favor of a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 pushing out about 552 hp.

Vauxhall/Opel Flextreme GT/E concept (2010)

This is the Opel Flextreme GT/E, a new concept that Vauxhall’s sister brand will unveil at the 2010 Geneva motor show next month. It’s Vauxhall/Opel’s second Flextreme show car – the original was revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt show – and previews how GM’s extended-range electric vehicle technology can be utilised in large cars – the GT/E uses the same electrified powertrain that is found in the more compact Ampera. The GT/E has uses the same E-REV (extended-range electric vehicle) technology that’s been developed for the Ampera.

Happy 80th Birthday, Syd Mead!

Take a poll among car designers to name their greatest influence, and one name is sure to appear at the top of the list: Syd Mead. The car designer, illustrator and futurist has inspired generations of the men and women who shape the cars we drive or admire. Syd has created the designs for the movies Blade Runner and Tron, while the illustrations published in his books such as Oblagon and Sentury (sought-after collector items today) depict the vision of a future dominated by superior technology and aesthetics.