Mercedes’ AMG division unveils new twin-turbo V8

Those obsessed with torque bemoaned Mercedes’ high-revving 6.2-litre V8 when it was launched in 2005, but just as the world has come to accept the naturally aspirated engine, the company has now unveiled a new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8. Up to 563bhp – which is the same as the SLS AMG – and 663lb ft, which is much more than the 479lb ft the modern-day Gullwing supercar manages. The engine is an all-new 5.5-litre V8 (5461cc to be exact) with direct-injection technology, an aluminium crankcase and two turbochargers.

Young drivers risking lives by 'neglecting eyesight'

ONE IN SEVEN young drivers put themselves and other road users in danger because of poor vision and problems with their eyesight, according to a new study. The survey, conducted on behalf of thinkaboutyoureyes.co.uk found that those in the 18-24 age bracket were far more likely than older drivers to have problems driving because of bad vision. While more than half of drivers over 55 are required to wear glasses or corrective lenses when driving compared to just a third of young drivers, almost one in ten young drivers believe they actually probably should be wearing glasses when they drive.

Car Design China Award Winners at Umeå

CDN 中国汽车设计大赛获奖选手在 Umeå Two of the Car Design China Award 2012 winners won the fantastic prize of a two-week fully funded placement at Sweden's Umeå Institute of Design to mix with like-minded young designers and learn new skills with some of the latest technology available. We spoke to Umeå's Programme Director for Transportation Design Education Demian Horst to find out how Fang Siyuan of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry and Huang Hongliang of Huazhong University of Science and Technology got on. After arriving on 21 September the two students joined up with the course's 20 international students – including two Chinese students – in the studio before undertaking their first task, which was to join both transport classes in a sketch workshop with BMWDesignworksUSA designer and Umeå alumnus Tommy Forsgren.