Mercury Outboard Exhaust Plate 135 150 175hp V6 2.5l 850814t4 812905a5 185878t8 on 2040-parts.com

Michelin Challenge Design 2007: The not so ugly truth about rising vehicle safety standards

Can cars be safe and beautiful at the same time? That may not have been the case a few decades ago when automakers were forced to hang those big, ugly so-called federal bumpers off the ends of their vehicles.  With vehicle safety standards on the rise around the globe are designers today feeling a little '70s deja vu when it comes to meeting the challenges of making cars safe as well as more fuel efficient? "(Back then) we said it was the end of automotive styling," says Patrick Le Quement, senior vice president for corporate design at Renault and one of the world's most influential automotive designers.

Infiniti Etherea concept

The Infiniti Etherea concept is yet another car that has surfaced before its Geneva debut. Said to blend elements of a coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossovers, the Etherea optimizes space due to a new mechanical layout. The 4400mm-long luxury model previews how a future entry-level Infiniti could look.

2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo costs from £14,350

The 2014 Alfa MiTo (pictured) costs from £14,350 Alfa Romeo announced the changes for the 2014 MY Alfa MiTo back in June. But they’re not extensive. Cosmetic changes amount to very little, with just a chrome grill and tweaked headlight surrounds at the front, new alloys, Anthracite Grey paint, some new trim options and revised dash and the option of Alfa’s Uconnect Infotainment marking the 2014 model out from the 2013 one.