Radio Display Light Bulb Rear/front Wagner Lighting Bp1893 on 2040-parts.com

Button blasts noise detractors

JENSON BUTTON has delivered a damning response to any Formula One driver bemoaning the sport's current lack of noise. The piercing scream of the old 2.4-litre V8 engines has been replaced by the more textural sound of the new 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged power units, and it has caused a considerable furore. Following the Australian Grand Prix race chairman Ron Walker was left fuming, suggesting he had grounds for a lawsuit as he felt the lack of sound compromised his contract with Bernie Ecclestone.

Ford names Freeman Thomas as Strategic Design Director

 Long-time DaimlerChrysler designer Freeman Thomas is joining Ford Motor Company from June 1. Thomas, 47, will become director of Strategic Design, reporting to Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, North America. Based in the company's Irvine, California studio, Thomas will lead advanced design teams in both California and Dearborn.

Porsche mulls smaller SUV, sports car

Porsche may develop a small SUV and a sports car smaller than the Boxster as it aims to double worldwide sales in the next three years. Bernhard Maier, head of sales and marketing at Porsche AG, confirmed that the company is looking into smaller and less expensive models “but we have taken no decision so far.” The small SUV has been code-named “Cajun”--short for Cayenne Jr. The success of the Cayenne SUV has given Porsche confidence to “investigate if there are other opportunities,” Maier said.