Harley Davidson Original Front Fender on 2040-parts.com

Art Center BMW/Exa project

There's a new sponsored project that is just getting under way at Art Center College of Design, the likes of which hasn't been seen in a very long time - if at all. The school's Transportation Design department has helped bring together BMW with Exa Corporation, a Boston-based virtual aerodynamic simulation company, and has tasked the students to re-design the current BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle with the hope of dramatically increasing its aerodynamic efficiency while still retaining the BMW flagship SAV design language. This brief is quite timely in the context of the industry's ongoing focus with sustainability and strikes at the core of the BMW Group's long term energy strategy known as the concept of Efficient Dynamics.

Audi's Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg talks future innovation and CES

Last week, Audi Board Member for technical development Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg was meandering down the California coast, sampling red wines. Vacation over and on his way to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show, he popped by Stanford University's Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Lab to speak to students who'd just returned from winter break themselves.

2015 Audi A8, A8L and S8 unveiled ahead of Frankfurt Motor Show debut

At the upcoming Frankfurt motor show, Audi will announce a new A8 with more powerful engines, lighter-weight construction, new assistance systems and Matrix LED headlight technology. Audi says the new A8 will put the German automaker among the innovation leaders in the luxury class. It cites as an example the short-wheelbase A8 3.0-liter TFSI's 4,034-pound curb weight, best in class for all-wheel-drive models.