Toyota Avensis 2003 Rear Propeller Shaft Assembly [9132200] on 2040-parts.com

Ferrari California Hybrid on the way? And ‘KERS Confusion’ too.

Ferrari California Hybrid on the way? A patent application by Ferrari for a new hybrid system has lead to speculation that a Ferrari California Hybrid is on the way. Ferrari has been flirting with hybrid set-ups for years and actually previewed a 599 with a ‘HY-KERS’ hybrid system at Geneva 2012.

Mercedes recalls M-class for cruise-control fix

Mercedes-Benz is recalling the M-class SUV from the 2000 to 2004 model years to fix a problem with the cruise-control system. In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mercedes said the cruise control may not disengage when the driver steps on the brake pedal, which could lead to a crash. Mercedes says the system can still be shut off by using the cruise-control stalk or by pumping the brake pedal.

Whos Where: David Wilkie joins Mindset

Design Director, David Wilkie, announced last week that he is leaving Bertone to take up a full time position at Mindset AG. Mindset is a new company run by Murat Günak, previously head of Design at Volkswagen, that is developing the electric ‘Commuter' car previewed by Car Design News in February this year. Car Design News spoke with Wilkie about the move, who explained that he'd been working for Mindset part time, leading the design of the Commuter interior for several months now, but "I decided that for the good of Bertone, and for Mindset, that I needed to commit full time to one position; and the appeal of having my hands-on as a designer was very strong; and it's a project I really want to see through properly!" Wilkie is still committed to carrying through several projects at Bertone over the next few weeks as he makes the transition to working with Günak with whom he studied at the Royal College of Art.