2012 Wildcat 1000 Exhaust on 2040-parts.com

2012 BMW 3-series: The new features that matter

Those who covet the BMW 3-series probably don't need a lot of reason to buy a new one--other than that there's a fresh model for 2012. But after a splashy reveal on Friday in Munich, Bimmerphiles and mainstream consumers alike have reason to consider the 2012 BMW 3-series for both practical and enthusiast-oriented pursuits. Here's why: The sixth-generation BMW 3-series is fitted with a host of the latest technologies both underhood and underskin, which make the 3-series more relevant for the times yet true to its heritage.

Ford Motor Company design chief J Mays to be based in London

J Mays, Ford Motor Company group vice president for design, will be moving from the US to London in February and adding a new title: Chief Creative Officer. The new posting will allow Mays to work more closely with designers at Ford's Premier Automotive Group, including Ian Callum at Jaguar, Geoff Upex at Land Rover and Volvo's next design head. He will spend about 10 days a month in Dearborn with the North American design team.

Volkswagen Polo R WRC Street previews production VW Polo R

Volkswagen Polo R WRC Street The Volkswagen Polo R WRC Street that’s heading for the Worthersee Tour previews a production model of the VW Polo R. This time last year Ulrich Hackenberg, a VW Board member, confirmed that VW intended to build a production Polo R, and the Volkswagen Polo R WRC Street that’s arrived at the Worthersee Tour this week gives us a pretty good idea of what a Polo R will offer. VW make no mention of a 4WD platform for the Polo R in the stuff they’ve sent us, but with a 4WD version of the Polo platform developed for the Audi S1 and the Polo WRC car it seems likely VW’s new baby pocket rocket will be 4WD too.