Corksport Mazdaspeed 3 Downpipe (catless) on 2040-parts.com

Porsche announces new Weissach design center and wind tunnel

Porsche is to invest around €150m into its Weissach development facility, including a new design center. The plans also include an electronics integration department and a state-of-the art, on-site wind tunnel, which is hoped will allow the company to realize an holistic approach to efficient design, with a strong focus on aerodynamics. When we spoke with head of Porsche design, Michael Mauer, at this year's Paris motor show, he also alluded to the fact that the Volkswagen Group's – and, more specifically, Walter de'Silva's – recent influence on the German manufacturer was shifting its attitudes: "The Volkswagen Group has a very good understanding of how much freedom a brand needs to keep its characteristics and with [Walter] as 'conductor', I feel a lot of support with design issues within the company," explained Mauer.

MINI Countryman goes WRC

MINI Countryman WRC - MINI are going rallying again Back when Adam was a lad (as was I, coincidentally) Mini were big in rallying. In fact they wiped the floor with just about everyone else in the ’60s, winning the Monte Carlo Rally three times in the decade. And now BMW are planning a proper foray back in to WRC with a MINI Countryman WRC prepared in conjunction with Prodrive and featuring a 1.6 litre turbo from BMW Motorsport and AWD.

Geneva Motor Show 2007

Highlights from the 2007 Geneva Motor Show include the Giugiaro Vadho concept, Renault Clio Grand Tour concept, Toyota Hybrid X, Ford Mondeo, Mazda 2, Rinspeed eXasis, Opel GTC concept, Dodge Demon concept, Hyundai HED-4 Qarmaq concept, Bertone Fiat Barchetta concept, Mazda Hakaze concept, Maserati GranTurismo, Audi A5, Mercedes C-Class. Go to the Geneva Motor Show 2007 index