The AW list: 10 best cars to modify

For many, a car right off the showroom floor just isn’t good enough. Luckily, there’s the aftermarket to help cars make more power, handle better and (sometimes) look better. Below are AW’s picks for the 10 best new cars to modify.

Understanding design for China

With the entire automotive world focusing on China at present, Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design (SD) has announced the creation of a new graduate program following that trend. The MDes Design Practices scheme will focus upon transportation design issues in China, as well as the growing economies of Asia. The ten month program aims to familiarize students with the emerging trends and issues that are directly impacting and influencing transport in the Peoples Republic.

Polestar boosts Volvo power with factory software upgrade

Volvo and its performance arm Polestar have developed tuning software for C30, C70 and S40 cars fitted with the T5 turbocharged engine. It increases power by 23 hp and torque by 29 lb-ft by revising valve and spark timing. The software is compatible with 2008-model-year and newer cars and goes on sale on Nov.