Vintage Ford Center Hub Cap on 2040-parts.com

Volvo S60 sedan shown at the Detroit auto show

Showing a new direction inspired by Scandinavian design, Volvo displayed a concept vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show that previews the new S60 sedan, due in 18 months. The car has a new face--with angled headlamps, a coupe roofline and no B-pillar--and an interior with the "environment of a modern Scandinavian living room," said Steve Mattin, Volvo senior vice president of design. The car's more emotional look is part of a longer-term strategy to give Volvo a more exciting image in the United States through changes in product design and marketing, said Stephen Odell, CEO of Volvo Car Corp.

Coys To Auction Aston Martin Linked To Bond Author Ian Fleming

A 1954 Aston Martin DB 2/4, considered by many to be the inspiration for James Bond’s original Aston Martin in Ian Fleming’s novel Goldfinger, is to be auctioned by international auctioneers Coys this Saturday 12th July at Blenheim Palace. Not only was the DB 2/4 potentially the catalyst for Fleming’s characterisation of the famous fictional spy, but this particular car boasts an equally intriguing history. This Aston Martin, a DB 2/4 Mk I Vantage, was owned by Phillip Ingram Cunliffe-Lister, whose father was Lord Swinton, a close confidant of Winston Churchill, head of MI5 and the Security Executive during WWII, and Ian Fleming’s boss.

Webinars: Perceived Quality in the Digital Design World

Car Design News hosted a new webinar with Icona Solutions yesterday, June 8th. Focusing on perceived quality in the digital design world, Icona Solutions' Dr John Maxfield explained how the company's aesthetica software – which enables design teams to gain early insight and resolve fit and finish issues – can improve perceived quality and craftsmanship. Hosted by Dr John Maxfield, Technical Director and Founder of Icona Solutions Ltd, the webinar demonstrates how aesthetica helps designers produce realistic images of real world products, including materials / color / finishes, with targets to allow early perceived quality reviews.