20" Hand Operate Strut Coil Spring Press Compressor Auto Equipment Compress on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

One-off Porsche 911 Carrera 4S celebrates 5 million Facebook fans

Porsche has built a special 911 Carrera 4S (pictured) to celebrate 5 million Facebook Fans Car makers do like to get their Facebook fans to ‘design’ a car; it’s a good way of drawing fans in to the brand and give them an idea of what floats buyers’ boats. Some are not all that impressive, but the 911 Carrera 4S Porsche has built in celebration of getting 5 million fans on Facebook – designed with input from those fans – is actually quite understated. It comes in a quite fetching shade of Aqua Blue Metallic, a set of white 20″ alloys (a bit tacky), sports suspension and exhaust, an Aerokit with big back spoiler, personalised sill plates, brushed aluminium trim inside and a plaque telling the world this is a Porsche designed by 5 million Facebook fans.

Mercedes accidentally publishes the first 2014 Mercedes S-Class photo

The image has since been removed, but not before it escaped in to the wild to give us our first official view of the new S Class, a car which has always set new standards in equipment and safety with each new launch, and the 2014 S Class will be no different. What will be different is the range of models we expect to arrive in the next few years, from standard and long wheelbase S Class through an S Class Coupe, S Class Convertible and a super-luxury S Class Pullman, which will effectively replace Mercedes’ failed Maybach adventure. The new S Class looks less bulbous than its current incarnation, with the bulging rear wheel arches gone and a slimmer look all round.