Kia Soul, R Taillight,12-13 on 2040-parts.com

Bentley uses 3D printing to prototype new designs [w/Video]

3D printing is changing the way the world makes things by helping people of all disciplines to enhance and refine their ideas cheaply, quickly and effectively.  Bentley is the latest carmaker to utilize the technology to fabricate and prototype different parts to see how they'll look and work on the finished design. Using 3D printers, designers can produce parts from the exterior and interior such as the grille, tires, headlamps and door handles as well as combine different types of contrasting materials, ranging from hard plastics to rubbers of different tensile strengths.  The technology allows the user to create a solid 3D object straight from a digital model by printing layers of material on top of each other. This process rapidly decreases the delivery time, as parts can be printed overnight, and allows designers to be more creative in their ideas because of the reduced cost. Bentley isn't the first carmaker to use 3D printing technology. Audi announced last year it was beginning to prototype vehicle parts using 3D printers.

Toyota targets conventional engine in defense of green image

In the race to boost fuel economy, overhauling the internal combustion engine is all the rage. Ford, Hyundai and Mazda are among those focusing on direct injection, turbochargers and improved transmissions as they reinvent their powertrain lineups. So with its emphasis on hybrids, Toyota Motor Corp.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206: The ultimate Impreza for JDM

Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 Scooby fans do like a limited edition Impreza, so their collective mouths will be watering at the news that a new Impreza is on the block – the  Impreza WRX STI S206. But before you all get too excited, Subaru has no plans to bring any of the 300 S206s to the UK – they’re all for the JDM and are going straight on sale in Japan, with an S206 taking pride of place on Subaru’s stand at the Tokyo Motor Show next week. Subaru say the S206 is the Crown Jewel of the STI cars, and Subaru have given the S206 a raft of updates over the standard WRX STI.