Rmstator Manifold T-map Sensor #rms140-105016 Ski-doo/polaris on 2040-parts.com

The fall and rise of the budget car

Twenty years ago, the classic bargain brands like Lada seemed to be going the same way as the Soviet empire that spawned them. Woefully dated and badly made, only a weirdo would have bought a new Lada rather than a second-hand model from Ford, Vauxhall or VW. However, one of the big trends in the car industry today is the re-emergence of bargain cars.

Suzuki at the London motor show 2008

Suzuki Kizashi takes centre stage on Suzuki stand. Think Mondeo rival, but cheaper. Sounds promising...

College Exhibition: RCA/VW - Day and Night

Vehicle Design students at the Royal College of Art in London, UK, started work on a project sponsored by Volkswagen in October last year. Asked to research and visualize future market sectors and the needs, aspirations and desires of potential users; VW's brief to the students was to create a vehicle which had an innovative, integrated interior to reflect the research the students conducted, in a space that had equal value both in the daytime and at night. The brief also called for new space concepts for the person/machine interface through new functions and new packaging of components.