2011 2012 Taurus Speedometer Instrument Cluster Dash Panel Gauges 87,857 on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes-Benz GLA stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Mercedes-Benz GLA compact crossover is making its European debut at the firm’s home motor show, Frankfurt 2013, and it’s aiming to take on the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 in the up-market small SUV sector. Being based on the firm’s A-Class hatchback is a good way to start, too, with decent, efficient engines, plenty of premium quality and some striking styling to boot.

Aston Martin reveals the 2012 V12 Vantage GT3 race car

Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 It’s been mooted for quite a while, but now it’s confirmed – AM are to replace the DBR9S race car with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3. Built on Aston Martin’s now rather ancient V/H architecture modular chassis, the Vantage GT3 also features Aston Martin’s one and only engine – the V12 originally built from a pair of Ford Mondeo engines – which in the GT3 version will produce something in the region of 600bhp and 516lb/ft of torque. What the GT3 also gets – as the photo above clearly demonstrates - are new aerodynamics, which makes the GT3 seem much more aggressive than the V12 Vantage on which it’s based.

Dassault Systèmes and Riversimple partner for eCar Design Contest

Dassault Systèmes, in collaboration with Riversimple and the 40 Fires foundation, launched their eCar Design Contest recently, designed to encourage cooperation and the development of ideas on an open source platform. The companies had been in talks for some time regarding a joint project and this competition – a completely holistic, closed-loop approach to the building, sale and use of a car – is the result of their successful collaboration. Christopher Reitz, head designer at Riversimple, says, "The open source platform is a fantastic tool.