Volvo Construction Equip Stainless Steel Excavator Arm Bottle Opener Key Ring on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin V12 Vantage roadster to start at $233,340

Aston Martin dropped the details of its UK-onlyV12 Vantage roadster on Tuesday, and the news is good. The new convertible will boast 509 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque from Aston's signature 6.0-liter engine. The roadster shares many of the technical features and specifications from the hardtop version, though some elements had to be changed to accommodate the folding soft top.

Thinking Automotive Design

At a time when nine new automotive plants are being built in Brazil, the production of local design studios has acquired strong significance in the market. Significantly, the best-selling cars in the country are the VW Gol and the completely new Fiat Uno, both developed locally. It's therefore no surprise that car design gains more importance in the country's cultural scenario.

Renault/Lovegrove Studio Twin'Z concept

The Renault Twin'Z concept is a collaborative project with British designer Ross Lovegrove, filling the fifth stage in Laurens van den Acker's 'lifecycle' – Play. It's currently on display at the Milan Salone. Essentially previewing the all-new, rear-engined Twingo co-developed with Daimler, the Twin'Z takes this relatively humble city car and, thanks to the input of Lovegrove, it appears to have taken on an organic nature, which shouldn't be unexpected to those familiar with his work.