Beck/arnley 052-3185 Rear Wheel Seal on 2040-parts.com

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive (2011) first pictures

This gorgeous two-seat roadster is the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive, set to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Unlike some of BMW’s other Vision-tagged concept cars, this unfortunately isn’t a thinly disguised production car, but a study designed to highlight the company’s driver assistance systems.  However, although BMW has released no details on the engine or layout under the sexy skin, thankfully the Vision ConnectedDrive’s stunning styling (including the shark nose, wrap-around rear lights and layered body) will find its way onto future production BMWs.  For a start sensors in the headlamps and rear lights monitor the traffic situation and the environment around the car, while instead of wing mirrors there are antennas that receive navigation data and transmit other information. Inside the driver has a 3D head-up display, and the system can project information about the chosen sat-nav route so it appears at the exact point of a possible turn-off. The 3D system also displays information in the foreground or background of the display depending on its relevance.

Acura RLX Concept

Acura held the world debut of the Acura RLX Concept at the New York auto show, which indicates the design and engineering direction for Acura's flagship sedan, set to launch at the beginning of 2013. The RLX Concept's design continues the brand's ‘Keen Edge' design philosophy, with bodyside surfacing clearly related to the ILX we first saw in Detroit. The RLX maintaining approximately the same length as the current RL but with a wheelbase increased by 50mm while the front overhang has been reduced by the same amount.

CAR interviews Dany Bahar on the crisis at Lotus (2012)

CAR yesterday sat down with Dany Bahar, the chief executive officer of Lotus Cars, to discuss the company's financial situation. He talked about the recent takeover of parent company Proton by DRB-Hicom and what it means for Lotus, the financial performance of Hethel and the latest on plans to launch the new Esprit supercar and all the other new Lotuses in the pipeline. Read on for CAR Magazine's full interview with Dany Bahar, split over the next three pages.