Visteon Alternators/starters 7756-3 Alternator/generator-reman Alternator on 2040-parts.com

VW unveils electric e-Up (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

VW is dipping its toes into the electric car pool with its first battery vehicle: an electric Up city car. Christened the 'e-Up', it's not a special edition for Yorkshire only, but rather a silent, zero-emission EV that VW reckons is the perfect commuter's tool. Read on for the full spec.

Smart Forspeed concept signals new design direction

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand. Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized Forspeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next Fortwo and the revived Forfour, which will be launched in 2014. "The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts.

Very Graphic: Ford reveals vinyl cladding for Mustang and F-150

Looking to wrap your ride in a new identity? Ford is offering custom vinyl graphics for two of its spotlight vehicles--the Mustang and the F-150. They graphics are available through www.fordcustomgraphics.com, and nearly 50 designs will be sold to visually enhance each of the Blue Oval icons.