McLaren P1 production starts in Woking

McLaren P1 production starts in Woking The Geneva Motor Show in March saw the arrival of the first production version of the new McLaren P1 (and its arch-rival, the LaFerrari). But it’s taken until now – seven months later – for McLaren to finish final testing of the P1 before pressing the button on their clinical assembly line to start customer P1s rolling out. In between the reveal at Geneva and production starting, McLaren have been having a bash at the Nurburgring (with mixed results) and doing some final hot weather testing on the P1, but now – apart from a few inevitable tweaks once the P1 gets out in to the real world – the P1 is ready for its customers.

Infographic: How much clay do Ford’s design studios use each year?

Ford has offered an insight into its clay modeling processes with a series of videos and an infographic that charts the process involved in turning a designer's sketch into a full-size model. The infographic uses data taken from all of Ford's global design studios in 2012 to give an idea of how much clay is used in a year, plus how much paint and di-noc film is used to cover each model. Ford has also released a video that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the firm's clay modeling studio in Merkenich, Germany, including interviews with members of the modeling team.

Electric wire eases closing of Corvette Stingray hatch

A single piece of wire makes closing the hatch on the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray easier. Tucked behind the rear fascia, the alloy wire changes shape when an electric current heats it up. The wire returns to its previous shape when it cools.