5031431 Valve,iac on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Car Menu launched

Within almost every automotive design department throughout the world, their comes a time when a junior designer is dispatched to find a picture of some new model's tail lamp, the side view of a particular class leading competitor or examples of several new cars' colour and trim packages. Whilst looking at the competition is not necessarily a healthy way of finding ideas, it is often essential to demonstrate what is feasible, check in-house proposals are not too derivative, or show how advanced a design theme is relative to the same type of cars on the market. But even if the particular aspect of a car can be found, press packs and magazines typically show cars in the flattering light of an exotic location or being drifted around a corner on opposite lock; rarely are these images particularly useful.

Honda Gear Concept turns up in Montreal

The Honda Gear Concept has been revealed at the Montreal Motor Show this week, a small urban runaround aimed at young car buyers. Just to the north of the Detroit Show, there’s another motor show going on in Montreal, not that anyone expected anything of much interest to appear at the much smaller Montreal Motor Show. But it has.

Pininfarina Duettottanta concept (w/ Gallery)

Pininfarina today revealed the Duettottanta concept, an homage to Alfa Romeo on its 100th birthday. The Duettottanta concept showcases a simple but modern design aesthetic that is a "fluid interpretation of what a spider should be," Design Director Lowie Vermeersch told Car Design News. "It evokes the feeling of wanting to take it for a drive..." Read more about the two-seat concept car and see our own unique photos in our 2010 Geneva Motor Show highlights.