Merc Bravo Upper Unit on 2040-parts.com

Lotus gets Ferrari Designer

Ferrari Designer Donato Coco joins Lotus as Director of Design As we’ve reported umpteen times this year, Lotus are getting things very right. They’re selling the new Lotus Evora hand over fist and have plans in place to a convertible Evora and of course the new Lotus Esprit. Part of the long-term plan at Lotus is to bring the Hethel boys back to the top of the heap in the way Lotus were in the glory days of Colin Chapman.

Kia Cross GT SUV Concept teased ahead of Chicago debut

A new Kia Concept for a larger CUV/SUV – the Kia Cross GT – is being teased ahead of a reveal at the Chicago Auto Show. Kia may have made big strides in the last few years – along with sister company, Hyundai – but there’s no sense they’re resting on their laurels despite declaring 2013 the year when brand perception is key rather than huge sales growth. We already know that the Kia pro_cee’d GT and the five-door Cee’d GT, both the with a 200bhp petrol turbo – are heading for the Geneva Motor Show in March and will sit alongside the the Kia Urban Concept, which appears to be Kia’s take on the Nissan Juke.

Mercedes F1 Schumacher sets the pace in Melbourne

Mercedes F1 Michael Schumacher - fastest in practice in Australia Michael Schumacher showed some of the promise for Mercedes 2012 F1 in Melbourne, setting the quickest time in damp Friday practice. With the first F1 Grand Prix of the 2012-2013 season taking place this Sunday at Melbourne’s Albert Park, we thought we’d look in at Friday’s practice to see if there are any clues to this year’s form. To be honest, Friday practice is often more tactical than anything else so we shouldn’t read too much in to what’s gone on.