Kawasaki Zx900 Zx9r Sub-frame 1995 95 55054 on 2040-parts.com

Car of the Year 2013 finalists announced: do you agree?

The contest for 2013 Car of the Year is hotting up, with the shortlist for Europe's most prestigious new car award announced. The final eight contenders are: Ford B-max Hyundai i30 Mercedes A-class Peugeot 208 Renault Clio Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86 Volkswagen Golf Volvo V40   This year, there are eight finalists instead of the usual seven, thanks to a dead heat between two contenders. According to the Car of the Year jury, the award's goal 'is to acclaim the most outstanding new car to go on sale in the [last] 12 months.' Not much fuel for enthusiasts in the 2013 CotY list...

NY Times reporter says he followed Tesla's advice

A New York Times reporter says he was following the advice of Tesla employees when he drove an electric Model S sedan beyond its indicated range in an effort to reach a recharging station. Responding to a blog post by Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk highly critical of his original article, Times reporter John Broder on Thursday said he did not set out to sabotage the test drive -- refuting one of Musk's most-damning points. Broder also refutes Musk's claim that he drove the car around a parking lot in a deliberate attempt to fully discharge the battery -- Broder says he was looking for the recharge station in a poorly lighted rest stop at night.

RCA's Dale Harrow: Car design more crucial than ever

As well as serving as head of the RCA's Vehicle Design Program, Dale Harrow is also a Financial Times columnist. His latest piece suggests the car is in the process of change, and at a rate beyond that undertaken in its first century of existence. Manufacturers have 'solved' the function of the car, and as reliability is no longer a concern for the consumer, design is now crucial.