Silver 1993-1998 Nissan Altima 2.4l Throttle Body Spacer on 2040-parts.com

Videos: Volkswagen's exterior and interior designers highlight the Up's design elements

We've enjoyed the design of Volkswagen's new Up since we first saw the vehicle in concept form at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. Devoid of any extraneous detailing, the simple, product design aesthetic is pared back to represent the crux of VW's design philosophy: pure, simple and solid.  The result is a harmonious design that stands out from the pack, with simple surfacing and subtle detailing; the Up's design is pure and minimalistic, which serves to exude quality in the product. Inside, the vehicle is brimming with space-saving design details.  From an IP devoid of central air vents to a thin headrest that visually extends the height of the interior, the Up is a success story in space efficiency, but it is also finished to a high level using quality materials.

Aston Martin adds glamour to Lord Mayor's Show

FAMOUS British brand Aston Martin brought some extra glamour to the capital at the weekend as the firm took part in the historic Lord Mayor's Show. A selection of its sports cars joined the three-and-a-half-mile-long cavalcade at the invitation of The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers of London, which selected Aston Martin to participate in its centenary year. The Aston Martins, which included a Vanquish Coupe dressed in the unmistakable Union Jack-inspired livery of the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign, made their way through the capital’s packed streets as an estimated half million spectators looked on.

Saab owners Spyker NV to become Swedish Automobile NV

Is the rain coming to an end at Saab? In the seemingly never-ending saga of Spyker and Saab it does now seem likely that the deal we reported last week with Chinese distributors Pang Da is going to pan out. The messy-looking deal with Pang Da has seen the beleaguered Dutch car maker receiving €30 million already from the cash-rich Chinese, which it’s using to pay-off its suppliers in an attempt to get production lines rolling again in Trollhattan.