Abstract: A mascot retraction mechanism has a mascot base 10 with a non-circular outline shape which extends over and conceals a contact area with a substantially circular edge. A support 6 comprising a support surface 22 is biased into contact with the contact area of the mascot base permitting the mascot base to pivot relative to the support about the substantially circular edge. Such pivoting may operate a release mechanism causing retraction of a mascot.

Abstract: An instrument panel has an aperture in which a display may be arranged. The instrument panel further comprises a rotatable display mechanism. The mechanism comprising at least three display surfaces supported on a rotatable support. A first display surface comprises a touch sensitive display screen; a second display surface comprises at least one dial or gauge; and a third display surface comprises a trim element. The support is mounted for rotation with respect to a mount and the mount is movable away from and towards the aperture in the instrument panel. In use each display surface may be arranged in the aperture. To change from one display surface to another display surface, the mount is moved away from the instrument panel, the support is rotated and the mount is then moved back towards the instrument panel so as to align another display surface in the aperture.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system for a vehicle includes a means 13 for storing details of one or more deceleration profiles for the vehicle; means for comparing 13, arranged to compare a current braking manoeuvre with the or a selected stored deceleration profile which generates an output signal, during the manoeuvre, representative of any deviation of the deceleration profile of the current braking manoeuvre from the ideal deceleration profile with which it is compared. This output can be used to drive a display 14 to provide feedback to a driver as to the efficiency of a braking manoeuvre. Multiple ideal deceleration profiles may be stored and the system arranged to compare a current braking manoeuvre with the most relevant stored profile. Profiles may be stored in association with spatial, temporal and/or environmental information.

Abstract: A mascot retraction mechanism has a support (6) movably mounted to a track (5) for movement between a mascot deployed position and a mascot stowed position. A drive mechanism (7, 34, 35) may be arranged to drive the support along the track via a releasable latch (30). The releasable latch may be released by tilting of a mascot able to enable the support to move along the track free of the drive mechanism.

Abstract: Vehicle Engine Air Intake System and Method (to be accompanied by FIGS. 1 and 3) In a motor vehicle (12), an air filter housing (14) is at least partially defined by a cross-member (28) forming part of a structural front end module of the vehicle body. The cross-member (28) defines a recess (44) for receiving an air filter (90) and at least one air inlet aperture opening into the recess. An air filter enclosure assembly is mounted to the cross-member over an open face of the recess. The air filter enclosure assembly may include an air filter enclosure (42) and an air filter (90).

Abstract: A vehicle (12) operable in manual and autonomous modes has a manual steering control unit (10) movable between a stowed position and an operative position. Movement of the steering control unit (10) as it transitions between stowed and operative positions comprises at least a component in a lateral direction of the vehicle so that when not in use, it is located laterally outside the free interior volume of the vehicle cabin (14) in the stowed position. The manual steering control unit (10) can be received within a recess (18) in a side wall region (16) of the vehicle cabin or in a central console in the stowed position.