Wagner Zx899a Rear Semi Metallic Brake Pads on 2040-parts.com

Motion Simulation TL1: Ariel builds an immersive simulator

Ariel Moto Company, makers of the mad-yet-minimalist Atom sportscar, have teamed up with new UK firm Motion Simulation to develop and manufacture the TL1 immersive motion simulator. Featuring a spherical immersive projection screen and adjustable driving position, the TL1's composite pod allows vicarious thrill-seekers to try piloting anything from an F1 car to a combat aircraft with a greater degree of realism than existing simulator chairs. In the video above, the TL1 is configured as as Touring Car racer.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – now with Volvo’s R-Design spec. Price from £51,675

The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid now get the R-Design option The Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid is already selling at such a rate that Volvo can’t keep up with demand, and now they’re making it even more difficult for themselves by launching an R-Design version. Volvo’s R-Design models add a range of tweaks to the regular range that add more visual purpose, but do so subtly and without too much fanfare. The R-Design version of the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is no different, with R-Design bumpers and grill, rear diffuser and 18″ Ixion alloys on the exterior and sports seats, sports pedals, sports floor mats and charcoal headlining on the interior giving the car a more focused appeal.

One Lap of the Web: 'Mad Men,' the Euro cars and the 2013 Trans Am

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. -- "Mad Men" aficionados are deep into a plot line that has the the fictional New York advertising agency beginning work with Chevrolet to create a campaign for the ill-fated Vega.