06 Suzuki Quadracer Ltr450 Metal Footwells Left & Right on 2040-parts.com

Lotus evolves with moving art

WITH VIDEO -- With five new concepts dotting its stand at the Paris motor show, Lotus demonstrated that it knows a bit about metamorphosis. Now, the automaker has collaborated with French artist Gerard Rancinan and writer Caroline Gaudriault for a moving art display for a VIP event in Los Angeles. Rancinan specializes in art of the human form while Gaudriault is a journalist by trade who has worked in Japan, Australia and France.

Festival of the Unexceptional: the bad cars we love

Ever been to a classic car show and noticed how many old MGBs and sports cars of yesteryear have turned up, driven by their proud owners, but wondered what happened to all the more mainstream stuff? There are twice as many Ferrari 308 GTBs on the roads in the UK than Austin Allegros, because the everyday cars of the past fail MOTs, get chucked away and replaced with shiny new hatchbacks. Fortunately, there is a select group of people in the UK who care for the mundane stuff of yesterday and, because of this, a new event for “unexceptional” cars will be taking place this summer.

Mazda CX-5 crossover to get a diesel-engine option for 2014

Mazda's CX-5 compact crossover will get a diesel option for the 2014 model year, according to a source familiar with the company's plans. The CX-5 goes on sale in the United States in February with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine. The vehicle will have Mazda's new Skyactiv fuel-saving technologies, which include direct-injection engines, a more efficient transmission and a lightweight frame and chassis.