Halcyon Mk49 Hand Made Leather Goggles on 2040-parts.com

Volcanic Ash – bad for your car’s paintwork

Volcanic ash on the back of our test Range Rover Sport Who says we don’t do consumer advice at Cars UK? We know that the Government claims every jet will fall out of the sky if they fly with even a cup full of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. The argument goes that all that dust and stone and rubbish will get sucked in to the engines, melt and then solidify to trash the engine.

Ford S-Max and Galaxy (2010) first official pictures

Ford today whisks the covers off updated versions of the S-Max and Galaxy, fresh for launch in 2010. The MPV duo will be shown publicly for the first time at that most Eurocratic of motor shows, the 2010 Brussels expo.The facelifts may look mild, but Ford's European design boss Martin Smith says there are more than 1700 new parts, including sheet metal changes. He says the changes are designed to 'give them a fresh new look and more premium appeal.' Both MPVs gain fresh bonnets, grilles, facias and LED tail lights.

Kia Motors appoints Peter Schreyer as President

Kia Motors has appointed the man who changed their design – former VW man Perter Schreyer – as President. When Peter Schreyer left VW in 2006 after a sparkling career that saw him establish the Audi design philosophy – still a hallmark of Audi design – to head up design at stodgy Kia, many in the industry thought it an odd move. But Peter Schreyer seemed keen to prove his worth after VW had passed him over to head up their new design studio, and Kia offered the prospect of turning a budget brand in to a mainstream force with cutting edge designs and, it would seem, a pretty free hand to do what it would take.