04 Avalanche 1500 Second Row Driver Side Rear Seat 882391 on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez on the Mercedes tie-up, the rise of turbo cars and the end of the Lagonda SUV project

MSN Cars is in Palm Springs, California, to drive the new Aston Martin Vanquish Volante and V12 Vantage S. Aston Martin, voted the second coolest brand in the world behind Apple, is celebrating its 100th year. Over an informal dinner, MSN Cars was given an exclusive chance to talk shop with Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez to see what the future holds for the Gaydon-based company.

Future products: Buick sees 6 to 7 models in its lineup for 2011-13

A Buick LaCrosse hybrid sedan probably will join a new small car and new crossover as Buick expands its lineup in the next three model years. The brand, which sells four nameplates now, eventually wants a six- or seven-vehicle lineup, says John Schwegman, Buick-GMC's top marketer. Buick seeks to revive its reputation for performance and stylish luxury to appeal to middle-aged professionals who often buy Asian luxury brands.

Porsche Design marks 40th birthday with exhibition

40 years of Porsche Design is being celebrated in an exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. The Porsche Design Studio was founded in 1972 by automotive legend Ferdinand Alexander Porsche – better known for his design of the iconic Porsche 911 – and has since developed consumer products for the public. Porsche designed a number of classic men's accessories such as watches, sunglasses and pens as well as a number of industrial products and household appliances, collecting honors and awards along the way.