Shakespeare 4700-1 12" Stainless Steel Extension on 2040-parts.com

Ariel's Atom returns faster than ever

BRITISH firm Ariel has announced an upgraded version of its sensational Atom sportscar that is faster than ever, making it one of the quickest cars on sale today. The Atom 3.5R showcases a number of upgrades over the outgoing model which contribute to the sensational performance. The 2.0-litre Honda V-TEC engine has had its supercharger revised to give 350bhp and over 240lb.ft of torque, while the gearbox is now a six-speed paddleshift system that can manage five downshifts in less than a second.

Interior Motives China Conference 2010: Day 1

Despite Europe being grounded due to volcanic ash, the third Interior Motives China conference got underway in Beijing with a record number of delegates and speakers – proof, as if it were needed, that this event is now one of the most important in the global car design calendar. This year's theme was 'New brands and the search for a design identity', and among the audience were young Chinese designers keen to learn more about international car design techniques, as well as veteran western designers hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the market they are creating vehicles for.  Session 1: The Market for Design Edward Wong, Director of Transportation Design at China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), set the mood for the conference in his long, flowing 'Chang San' robe (very traditional Chinese attire). He opened the conference and invited panellists to share their views on what China's needs are and explore what makes the market so unique.

2011 Kia Picanto revealed

The 2011 Kia Picanto teased in a sketch ahead of Geneva 2011 Kia are on a bit of a roll at the moment (as are sister company Hyundai) with cars like the new 2011 Kia Optima and the new Kia Sportage taking Kia’s offerings to a much higher level in terms of design and style. And perception of quality. That upwards march looks set to continue with Kia’s version of the Hyundai i10 – the 2011 Kia Picanto – which is due to launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011.