1999 Seadoo Challenger 1800 on 2040-parts.com

BMW Alpina B7 gets power boost for 2013

The 2013 BMW Alpina B7, the performance version of the German automaker's 7-series sedan, gets an additional 40 hp--and a more costly sticker price--for the new model year. BMW plans to roll out the 2013 model at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August and begin sales soon thereafter. Under the hood, power from the 4.4-liter V8 has been increased from 500 to 540 hp with the addition of BMW's throttle-less Valvetronic intake system.

Audi says U.S. will get clean diesels at a premium

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler says American consumers will get more clean diesels--but they will pay a premium for them. “I think the problem is that we don't really have an honest discussion,” Stadler said in a press roundtable at the auto show here. “There is a very, very high level of investment, and nobody today knows if the return will come,” he said.

Starting Out: Portfolio Development

Setting out your portfolio can seem like an endless task; as soon as you finish one, it's time to start over with the latest stuff, a cycle that often continues beyond design school. To give you a few pointers on how to go about it, Car Design News spoke with agents from recruiting agencies and designers in America and Europe for advice.  First and foremost: the content. For young designers, high sketching skill is paramount -and lots of it.