Blog on 2040Parts

Volkswagen Iroc concept (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 24 August 2006 08:01 The lowdown This is the Iroc, a sexy successor to the Scirocco coupe that Volkswagen will launch in 2008. Officially, the Iroc is a concept car, but make no mistake, this dynamic three-door is heading for production. The design doesn't share many obvious styling cues with the 1974 original.

Vauxhall's 200bhp Corsa leads VXR onslaught

By Angus Fitton Motor Industry 23 August 2006 09:50 Vauxhall is in the final stages of signing off the storming Corsa VXR. The latest VXR runs a turbocharged 1.6-litre developing a thumping 200bhp, spinning the front wheels via a six-speed box. Much of the development work has been carried out at the Nurburgring, which the Corsa has been relentlessly lapping to fine tune the suspension and engine mapping.

College Exhibition: Scuola Politecnica di Design Milan 2006

Students from the Car Design Masters course at Scuola Politecnica di Design Milan presented concepts for an Audi Avant for 2015 at the school's studios in late June. The presentation of the Audi-sponsored project was made to Walter de'Silva, Design Director Audi Brand Group, who was actively involved in the project along with Audi designers Gary Telaak for the exterior design and Ingo Von Bargen for the interior. In October the students were assigned the task by Walter de'Silva of giving shape to the evolution of the Audi Avant concept.

Seat's supersized Altea XL (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 22 August 2006 00:01 The lowdown Seat has altered the Altea, with a redesigned rear end that boosts practicality. The Altea XL is similar in concept to Volkswagen's enlarged Golf, the Plus, but the Seat is an even better load-lugger. It goes on UK sale in February 2007.

JCB sets new diesel land speed record

By Greg Fountain Motor Industry 22 August 2006 05:50 The JCB Dieselmax has broken the diesel land speed record, posting an official, FIA-approved speed of 328.767mph. During the first run along the Bonneville Salt Flats course on 22 August, the 1500bhp Dieselmax touched 324.24mph.The pit crew then turned the streamliner around on a turntable and prepped it for the second run. On the return, JCB's diesel-powered racer hit 333.339mph.

We reveal Range Sport V8 diesel prices

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 22 August 2006 10:02 New high-tech diesel engines are heading for the Range Rover Sport and Land Rover Defender. The new 3.6-litre V8 diesel – already revealed in the Range Rover and set to account for 70 percent of its sales – will be available in the Sport in January 2007. CAR Online can reveal that the TDV8 HSE will cost £53,095.

Chrysler's V8 coupe moves closer to production

By Nick Trott Motor Industry 21 August 2006 00:02 Chrysler's V8 Firepower concept is moving closer to production, thanks to a plan to push the Dodge Viper upmarket, creating a Firepower-shaped gap in Chrysler Group's portfolio. Sources suggest that the 2008 Viper will have a new chassis and an engine co-developed by McLaren, DaimlerChrysler's F1 partner. A precedent for this has already been set.

Porsche 911 Targa (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 21 August 2006 10:19 Here's yet another new 911 – the glass roof Targa version. A new development is that the 997 Targa is only available with four-wheel drive, unlike previous models. As a four-wheel drive model, the Targa gets the flared 911 body, to cover its wider track.

JCB begins final shakedown tests for record bid

By Greg Fountain Motor Industry 21 August 2006 10:37 The 1500bhp JCB Dieselmax streamliner will undergo final shakedown tests today, ahead of tomorrow's diesel land speed record attempt. CAR Online will bring you the news as it happens. Our reporter, Greg Fountain, is imbedded with the JCB team in Utah, ready to provide eyewitness accounts.

Mitsubishi Evo X to get awesome double-clutch gearbox

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 18 August 2006 02:39 Mitsubishi will introduce a double-clutch gearbox on the Lancer Evolution X, sources say. The supersaloon is set for launch in a year, which should make Mitsubishi the first manufacturer to respond to VW's pioneering transmission. BMW and Porsche are among the car makers who are also working on rival gearboxes.

Hot Octavia now with diesel power

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 18 August 2006 09:01 A grunty, 170bhp diesel engine will join Skoda's high performance vRS range in September. The engine will be available in the Octavia hatch and estate, priced at £18,370 and £19,200 respectively. The 2.0-litre TDI kicks out 258lb ft, more twist action than a BMW 330i.

Diesel rocket passes 300mph in record bid

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 18 August 2006 09:30 The 1500bhp JCB Dieselmax has passed 300mph in a test run for its diesel land speed record attempt. The sleek racer – powered by twin diesel engines each producing 750bhp – touched 308.252mph yesterday (Thursday 17 August). That smashes the current diesel car world record of 235.756mph, set in 1973.

Mazda Verisa

Mazda has refreshed the Verisa, a B-segment car sold in Japan. Based on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, the Verisa is a tall hatchback that parallels the (European) Ford Fusion in concept, if not aesthetics. The Down-Road-Graphic has a clean contemporary look, with minimal grille area and restrained use of brightwork, while surfaces are given greater volume and a more substantial feeling than the Fusion.

Who's Where: Gerry McGovern to head Land Rover design

Land Rover has announced that Gerry McGovern will take over as Design Director for all Land Rover design with immediate effect. Current Design Director, Geoff Upex, is to retire from the company at the end of 2006 after 23 years service and, to ensure a smooth handover, will continue to play a key role in the launch of new products including the all-new Freelander2/LR2 over the coming months. Gerry McGovern has been Director, Advanced Design, Land Rover, since 2004 and has spent the majority of his career with Land Rover and Rover Group in UK, apart from a short period with Lincoln-Mercury in the USA.

Peugeot 908 RC concept

Following the 907 coupe concept shown in Paris two years ago comes the stylistically similar sedan concept, the 908 RC. Despite a three-box profile, the 5.5-liter V12 diesel engine is located behind passengers, putting out 700PS. Transversely mounted with a wide V angle, the engine still allows space for four occupants, with a trunk accessed via a motorised opening.

New Kia launches Focus and Golf attack

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 15 August 2006 09:00 Europe's fastest growing car brand – Kia – is finally wading into Europe's biggest market with a serious contender. But with a joke of a name: the Cee'd. Kia claims the five-door hatchback will be the most spacious car in the C-segment, where it will do battle with the VW Golf, Ford Focus et al.

First Sight: Mini

The first 'New' Mini was launched just five years ago, replacing the original Mini that had changed only in detail since its 1959 debut. Designed by Frank Stephenson, now head of design at Fiat, the current design has been a sales success and most significantly has been very influential in demonstrating how small cars need not be explicitly functionalist, smaller versions of larger car types or feel cheap. The new 'New' Mini, designed under the direction of Gert Hildebrand at Mini, is announced today with exterior design by Marcus Syring, interior design by Marc Girard and colour and trim design by Annette Baumeister.

Citroen C4 Picasso

Citroen has released pictures of their new midi-MPV, the C4 Picasso, which will make its debut in Paris next month. The design mixes C4 hatchback and the C-AirLounge concept with broken lines and full surfaces that have come to define contemporary Citroens. A total glass area of 6.4sqm (including optional sunroof) promises excellent visibility from what is claimed to be class-leading interior space.

New design boss for Land Rover

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 14 August 2006 10:39 Gerry McGovern – the designer credited with the MG F and original Freelander – will become Land Rover's new design director on 1 January 2007. McGovern currently leads Land Rover's advanced design department, a think-tank examining the future look and concept of the firm's 4x4s. He has also worked for Ford's North American brand Lincoln, as well as helping to create some stunning cars at Rover Group.

Mini Mk2 (2006): first official pictures

By Angus Fitton First Official Pictures 14 August 2006 15:01 The lowdown The disguise is off. No more speculation, spy shots or sneak previews - this is the face of the all-new, faster, bigger, better Mini. No, we haven't jumbled up the pictures - the car pictured really is the the new Mini, due to hit our streets in October.

Chevrolet Camaro muscle car is go!

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 13 August 2006 07:00 The Chevrolet Camaro – GM's centrepiece at the 2006 Detroit auto show – has received the green light for production. The V8 coupe will be unveiled in late 2008, with sales confirmed for early 2009. 'The new Camaro will be almost identical to the concept, a thoroughly modern interpretation of the 1969 model,' said GM design boss Ed Welburn.

Swift hot hatch takes aim at C2 VTR

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 12 August 2006 06:42 Here's a sneak preview of two new Suzukis – the Swift Sport and Splash supermini-MPV. Both get their world premieres at September's Paris show. The flagship Swift goes on sale in autumn 2006, for just over £10k.

Who's Where: Gordon Murray, Advanced Concepts Director, Caparo Vehicle Products

Gordon Murray yesterday became Advanced Concepts Director of Caparo Vehicle Products. Murray is best known as one of the founding partners of McLaren Cars which under his technical direction won eight Constructors Championships in Formula One. Within the automotive design community he is even better known for the McLaren F1 supercar of 1994 which he conceived and developed with, amongst others, designer Peter Stevens.

Peugeot 908 RC concept (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 11 August 2006 01:11 The lowdown Jaw-dropping luxury car design and a high-tech racing chassis collide in the 908 RC, Peugeot's showpiece concept for the upcoming Paris motor show. Part-limousine, part-Le Mans racer, the 186mph 908 is sure to be one of the most fascinating vehicles at Peugeot's hometown show in September. The four-door, four-seat limousine has an unusual layout reminiscent of the Ferrari Mondial, with an engine mounted behind the back seats.

McLaren genius joins supercar project

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 11 August 2006 06:49 Gordon Murray – the engineer behind the 240mph McLaren F1 – is now working on a racer that could dethrone the F1 as the ultimate lightweight supercar. Murray has joined forces with former colleagues from McLaren Cars who left to create the Caparo T1, a highly focused, ultra-lightweight sports car. Murray becomes director of advanced concepts at Caparo Vehicle Products.

Hot turbo engines for BMW's 3-Series

By Angus Fitton Motor Industry 11 August 2006 10:36 Three new six-cylinder engines are joining the BMW 3-Series range. Top of the pile – until the V8 M3 arrives – is the 335d, which runs the twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel engine offered in the 5-series. An explosive 428lb ft of torque (that's more than the V10 M5) and 286bhp means it can surge to 62mph in only 6.2sec.

Ford and GM tie-in with Apple

Having established a relationship with Nike for recycling materials as demonstrated on the Ford Reflex concept, Ford has now joined GM in collaborating with Apple to ensure their cars are iPod compatible. Rather than the retrofitted wire many drivers have had to resort to, cars will offer a bespoke area in the glove compartment that also acts as a charging point, the iPod instead controlled through the car?s GUI. By the end of the year, 70% of all new models sold in America are expected to be iPod compatible, an arrangement that furthers Apple?s continuing domination of the MP3-player market and one that will introduce Apple to the car-computer market, anticipated to be worth $6billion by 2010.

Global GM chassis starts testing

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 10 August 2006 09:26 General Motors' new Epsilon II chassis – to be employed around the world by Vauxhall/Opel, Saab, Chevrolet and other brands – has hit the road for testing. Pictured here beneath the next Chevrolet Malibu, the modular front- and all-wheel drive architecture will also underpin the Vauxhall Vectra and Saab's new 9-3 and 9-5. GM is grouping its core models to save cash, and harmonising production processes so that plants can churn out multiple models according to demand.

BMW X5 (2006): first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 08 August 2006 01:20 The lowdown This is the face of the all-new X5, a car that redefines the sports SUV claims BMW. More power and performance, a slippery shape, a new chassis honed for dynamic driving and gadgets galore make up the recipe. Seven seats are now optional, as BMW seeks to match the layouts of the Mercedes GL, Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery.

Mazda launches amazing MX-5 CC

By Chris Chilton Motor Industry 07 August 2006 07:08 Mazda is claiming the world's first no compromises coupe-convertible, with its MX-5 Roadster-coupe. Traditionally, folding tin-tops keep out thieves but steal luggage space. They boost refinement, but make handling less tidy.