2003 Honda Shadow Vt750cd Vt750 Left Rear Fender 100352 on 2040-parts.com

Honda Civic Tourer shown ahead of Frankfurt motor show reveal

Honda has shown its new Civic Tourer just ahead of its reveal at the Frankfurt motor show in September. Designed by Honda's European design studios, the Civic Tourer is expected to go on sale in Europe in early 2014. The Civic Tourer will be available with either the Earth Dreams 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine or the 1.8 i-VTEC gas engine when arrives, along with a manual or automatic transmission.

Ford speed-limiter option becomes more popular in Europe

An adjustable speed limiter ranks high on the popularity list with Ford buyers in Europe. Ford says it sold more than 220,000 cars with the system last year on the Continent. The take rate has been particularly high on the Mondeo sedan (86 percent), the S-Max wagon (85 percent) and the Kuga SUV (83 percent).

Miko's high performance material with an ecological edge

Italian company Miko specializes in the development and production of Dinamica, a high quality ecological microfiber that can be used for anything from car door panels or upholstery to fashion accessories. The faux suede material is produced from a combination of recycled polyester and polyurethane fibers, and is also 100 percent recyclable at the end of its lifecycle. Lorenzo Terraneo, CEO of Miko, says: "Our priority has always been to invest in the research and development of recycled and eco-compatible materials with special characteristics that go far beyond existing qualitative standards." It is a testament to Terraneo's commitment that his company achieved its early aspirations and eco credentials long before concern for the environment and the reduction of carbon emissions was high on the political agenda or prevalent in the public conscience.