McLaren P1 Concept is 97% production design (video)

At a private reveal of the new McLaren P1 Supercar in New York, McLaren has confirmed that 97 per cent of the P1′s styling will remain. McLaren has said that 97 per cent of the styling of the P1 Concept is exactly as the production version will look, with the only changes being some vents in the bumper to let hot air out and a tighter mesh on the grill at the back. The fac t that the P1 will stay faithful to the concept’s design already seemed evident after we had spy photos of the P1 visiting a McLaren supplier in Norfolk recently (and spy video of the P1 too), where we struggled to find anything different from the concept cars.

BMW announces 2009 7 Series Diesel

BMW has announced that it will, as expected, be launching the diesel version of the 2009 7 Series next year. This is in addition to the two petrol engined models already scheduled. Even at this luxury end of the market, the diesel engine has become a must-have for car makers.

White House pushes automakers toward 54.5-mpg target by 2025

The White House is pushing automakers to agree by Wednesday to a corporate average fuel economy target of 54.5 mpg by 2025--a figure 1.7 mpg less than the 56.2 mpg standard it floated earlier this month. The easing of the White House plan stems from a concession to makers of light trucks and SUVs, and particularly larger vehicles in that segment, such as Ford's F-150, sources said. The latest White House proposal, the most definitive of any it has put forth, calls for a 5 percent annual mileage increase for cars from 2017-2025, said industry and congressional officials who asked not to be named because their discussions with the White House are confidential.