Propsmith Puller on 2040-parts.com

LA Design Challenge 2011: studios compete to design Hollywood car

This year's LA Design Challenge will see competitors from around the world battle to design Hollywood's next movie car. Participating design studios from General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz Germany (Smart), Mercedes-Benz Japan (Maybach) and Mercedes-Benz US will all be showcasing their creative talents in an effort to secure top honors. Automobiles in Hollywood films produced throughout the years have become some of the most iconic symbols of the films – perhaps as important as the movies themselves.

Toyota Furia Concept teased ahead of Detroit Auto Show (video)

Toyota has revealed a short video teasing a new concept car for the Detroit Auto Show - the Toyota Furia Concept. Toyota are intent on convincing us they’re heading in a sportier direction with their cars, and it’s true that dynamics and styling seem to be coming to the forefront in new models. That intent is demonstrated with the latest concept from Toyota – the Toyota Furia – which gets a tease ahead of a Detroit Auto Show reveal and appears to offer a sporty-looking saloon and a name that could have come straight from a video game – cue explosions and fire to demonstrate the Furia.

The 2014 KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Turns out the Trapp Family Singers aren't the only Austrian product worth hearing. Kronreif und Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen (KTM), an 80-year-old motorcycle manufacturer based two hours east of Munich is enjoying newfound influence and recently launched its biggest, baddest-sounding machine yet: the 1290 Super Duke R. Light and lithe, the latest Super Duke features a narrow 1301cc DOHC 75-degree V-twin with amazing bandwidth.