Jaguar Xke E Type Intake Manifold Dual Carburetor Weber Stromberg P30375a on 2040-parts.com

Land Rover Defender Challenge by Bowler – the Defender goes rallying

The Land Rover Defender goes rallying (pictured) with Bowler modifications The venerable Land Rover Defender – now reaching the end of its shelf life – may not seem the perfect rally car. But a Defender tweaked and fettled with some Bowler Fairy Dust is another matter, and that’s exactly what’s happening with a new, one-make Defender Challenge by Bowler – and backed by Land Rover – which is aiming to put up to fifteen Defenders in to UK forest stage rallies and hill rallies in 2014. The Defender in question is a Defender 90 Hard Top with the usual 2.2 litre diesel, but sorted by Bowler to deliver 170bhp and 323lb/ft of torque (up from the regular 122bhp/266lb/ft) with a standard six-speed manual ‘box, MSA roll cage, fire extinguisher and Khumo tyres.

Brief 4 – GMC: CDN–GM Interactive Design Competition

Once again, Car Design News and General Motors are holding an Interactive Design Competition.There are five design briefs to choose from, each set by GM's design teams, and you're invited to submit your entry on the competition website: http://www.cardesigncontest.com/ The fourth of our briefs comes from GMC, GM's truck-and-utility-only brand, and asks you to design of the interior or exterior of a GMC show car to be revealed at the 2030 North American International Auto Show. Your design should focus on a future interpretation of GMC's ‘industrial sculpture' design philosophy. You'll need to bear in mind who the customer for this truck or utility vehicle is, and consider what is the purpose and application of the vehicle.

USA, UK & Germany will be top markets for the new BMW i8. You don’t say?

The BMW i8 (Pictured) will sell best in US, UK & Germany In a case of stating the obvious in a bid to keep interest in the BMW i8 high ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next month, Hendrik Wenders – the i8 product manager – has declared the biggest market for the BMW i8 will be the USA. As America is already BMW’s biggest market place, that’s not entirely a shock, and nor is the news that the UK and Germany will be the biggest markets in Europe. After all, they’re the only major economies in Europe without huge falling markets for cars.