Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold 2104 Chevy Sbc 283 327 350 Fits Stock Heads on 2040-parts.com

Design Services: Motorcity Europe

A recent Business Week article stated that "never before has design been so vital to an auto maker's success, maybe even to its survival". Much of the reason for this is the close parity in quality between different brands and the general high quality of new cars; according to J.D. Power, vehicle quality has improved 24% in the past five years.

Tesla asks NHTSA to investigate fires

In response to concerns following a recent accident which appeared to result from road debris damaging the underside of a battery compartment of a Tesla Model S, causing a fire in the engine compartment, the company has announced that it has requested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conduct a full investigation into the fire incidents. In a blog post, Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote the following about the investigation: "While we think it is highly unlikely, if something is discovered that would result in a material improvement in occupant fire safety, we will immediately apply that change to new cars and offer it as a free retrofit to all existing cars. Given that the incidence of fires in the Model S is far lower than combustion cars and that there have been no resulting injuries, this did not at first seem like a good use of NHTSA's time compared to the hundreds of gasoline fire deaths per year that warrant their attention." Tesla has also released a software update to the cars which will maintain their standard ride height at highway speeds, preventing the air suspension from lowering the car an extra inch at highway speeds for greater aerodynamic efficiency.

BMW releases X1 (2009): teaser pictures and video

By Peter Adams First Official Pictures 05 June 2009 16:00 UPDATED: BMW has just released video of a partially disguised X1 testing in Majorca BMW has released four teaser shots of its forthcoming X1 on a Facebook page dedicated to the mini-SUV. The X1 won't be officially unveiled until the Frankfurt motor show in September 2009, but BMW has been cranking up the publicity machine for its new 4x4 since a concept X1 was shown at Paris last year. CAR's Georg Kacher drove a prototype X1 earlier this year (CAR, May 2009) and in the past few days BMW has also released official shots of the car clad in the company's infamous psychedelic disguise.