Tiremakers offer new tread designs and compounds for winter

When preparing your vehicle for winter, most people think about getting the battery tested, installing new wiper blades and having plenty of windshield-washer fluid on hand. Those are all good habits. But if you live in a cold-weather part of the country, installing a dedicated set of winter tires is another thing you should consider.

Porsche Macan Configurator now LIVE

Porsche Macan Configurator now LIVE The new Porsche Macan – Porsche’s new ‘baby’ SUV, based on the Audi Q5 – has only just been revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but you already go ahead and spec-up your very own Macan for the UK at the new Macan Configurator. There’s a choice of all three Macan models – the Macan S, Macan S Diesel and Macan Turbo – with prices starting from £43,300 for the S and S Diesel, rising to £59,300 for the Macan Turbo. But that’s before you start adding interesting bits from the options list.

Joel Piaskowski becomes Director of Exterior Design at Ford North America

Joel Piaskowski is set to become Ford's North American Director of Exterior Design. He will be filling the position previously vacated by Moray Callum, who was promoted to Executive Director for Ford Americas design when Peter Horbury went back to head up Volvo's design efforts earlier this year. "I'm very much looking forward to working with the team at Ford," Piaskowski told Car Design News.