Ford Falcon Au1 Grille on 2040-parts.com

Art Center Summit - Designing Sustainable Mobility

Shrinking oil reserves, global warming, failed political administration policies, the car as an avatar, industrial humanism and the motorized shoe were just a few of the topics and ideas discussed at the Art Center College of Design 'Designing Sustainable Mobility' conference, held in California in February. For the designers in the room, a bright light was shone from BMW's Chris Bangle. A lively speaker with an optimistic speech giving us terms like "Industrial Humanism" and "design with meaning".

Brabus upgrades Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

German tuner Brabus has added the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster to its stable of upgradable cars. The horsepower wizards from Bottrop, Germany, wrung 520 hp from the SL's 4.7-liter bi-turbo V8, which should be good enough for a top speed of 186 mph. The Brabus B20 PowerXtra module is responsible for the 85-hp increase and the 88 lb-ft of extra torque.

Chrysler vows to rebuild SRT

Ralph Gilles promises that Chrysler Group will be "very choosy" about the cars and trucks that get the SRT performance badge. Gilles, recently named head of SRT, is charged with rebuilding the SRT unit, which languished when Chrysler was owned by Cerberus Capital Management. Three new SRT vehicles, versions of the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, will arrive in dealerships this fall, joining the Challenger SRT8.