Bsc Torsion Bar 6362-0925 on 2040-parts.com

Who's Where: Sielaff and Egger take on new roles in 2012

Both Wolfgang Egger and Stefan Sielaff will take on new roles in the latest move of car designer chess within the Volkswagen Group. Egger takes over the position of Head of Audi Brand Design from Sielaff, who will become Head of Interior Design for the Volkswagen Group as well as Head of the Volkswagen Design Center in Potsdam. Their respective roles will become operational on 1 February 2012.

One Lap of the Web: Mock the Week Edition

-- Mazda Europe designer Peter Birthwhistle talks about the future of Mazda: potential hybrid and electric powertrains for the Skyactiv-obsessed company, and how we'll all be driving Mazda-branded pods in the 22nd century. But he also mentions, rather interestingly, how certain Mazdas capture a quintessentially long-hood, RWD look -- and not just the Miata, either, which is RWD. No, it's the exhaust systems on those Skyactiv engines that force a longer, larger hood compartment, and the "long, flowing looks" not usually found on FWD engines.

GM and PSA announce four joint vehicle programs

PSA Peugeot/Citroën and General Motors have confirmed they will develop four future vehicle projects as part of their ‘Global Strategic Alliance' as both parties grapple with dwindling sales and spiraling costs in the European market. The first is a joint program for a compact-class MPV for Opel/Vauxhall and a compact-class Crossover Utility Vehicle for the Peugeot brand. The second project has been confirmed as a joint MPV program for the small car segment for Opel/Vauxhall and the Citroën brand.