Parts Blog
Brabus tunes Mercedes S-class for Frankfurt motor show
Fri, 06 Sep 2013German tuner Brabus is working its magic on the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-class for the Frankfurt motor show, the Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness. The clumsily named sedan comes with an iPad mini that can control all COMAND functions from the back seat. Of course, Brabus wouldn't be here without adding gobs of power to the normally staid S-class.
Jaguar SUV / Crossover (C-X17 Concept) arrives early
Fri, 06 Sep 2013The firts look at the Jaguar XQ SUV (pictured) as it leaks out ahead of a Frankfurt debut Jaguar Land Rover don’t have a lot of luck keeping their concept cars under wraps ahead of their official debut. And so it is with the Jaguar SUV/Crossover. The Jaguar C-X17 Concept – which previews a new Jaguar platform and the first look at a compact-ish SUV Crossover – is due to arrive in a few days at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
McLaren P1: New photos & video of production P1
Fri, 06 Sep 2013The McLaren P1 production car pictured hot weather testing We’ve had a surprising amount of McLaren P1 news in the last couple of weeks, with a claimed lap time at the Nurburgring that didn’t quite meet expectation, P1 customer Jay Leno getting to grips with the P1 at the Top Gear track and the news that the P1 is all but sold out. Now, with the first P1s getting close to delivery (McLaren are about to start building customer cars at the rate of one a day), McLaren has released photos and video from their final stint of hot weather testing in the US, with a completely undisguised, production version P1. McLaren have been in the west of the US, where temperatures reach 52 degrees, putting the P1 through its paces in extreme heat in California, Nevada and Arizona, both on the road and at the Willow Springs International Raceway in California, just to be sure it doesn’t melt in the sun.
Audi RS7 & Audi RS Q3 SUV: UK Prices
Fri, 06 Sep 2013The Audi RS7 Sportback & Audi RS Q3 (pictured) get priced. We’ve had the reveal of two new Audi RS cars in 2013, with the Audi RS7 Sportback bowing in at the Detroit Motor Show and the Audi RS Q3 arriving at Geneva. That will take the total number of RS Audis available in the UK to eight when the two new RS models arrive in early 2014, and now Audi has decided how much you’re going to have to pay.
Renault Megane gets a bit of a facelift for 2014
Fri, 06 Sep 2013The Renault Megane range (pictured) gets a bit of a facelift for 2014 The Renault Megane has been given a facelift for 2014, but it’s not exactly a major overhaul. All the Megane models – Hatchback, Coupe and Sports Tourer – now gets the new family front bumper with its extended air vent, much like the bumper on the new Renault Clio. The bonnet also gets a tweak with a new Renault badge, there’s a new set of elliptical headlights and some new daytime running lights. There are specific changes for the GT and RS models too, with ‘GT’ or ‘RS’ added to the new Renault logo on the bonnet.
The fall and rise of the budget car
Fri, 06 Sep 2013Twenty years ago, the classic bargain brands like Lada seemed to be going the same way as the Soviet empire that spawned them. Woefully dated and badly made, only a weirdo would have bought a new Lada rather than a second-hand model from Ford, Vauxhall or VW. However, one of the big trends in the car industry today is the re-emergence of bargain cars.
Concept Car of the Week: Volvo Tundra (1979)
Fri, 06 Sep 2013With Volvo beginning a new chapter in its design history with the Concept Coupé, it's interesting to look back at another Volvo coupé concept from 1979 – the Tundra. At the time, the Swedish manufacturer built large and relatively pricey cars that were neither really luxurious nor real 'people cars'. The 340 series began the brand's expansion towards more affordable models and proved to be very successful worldwide.
Mercedes-Benz drops first sketches of S-Class Coupé concept
Fri, 06 Sep 2013The first batch of official sketches of Mercedes-Benz's S-Class Coupé Concept emerged this morning ahead of its unveiling at next week's Frankfurt motor show. The S-Class Coupé Concept previews the production model that will replace the CL-Class Coupé, and the first glimpse provides us with views from every angle. From what we can see, it mixes elements of S-Class – dropping feature line, rounded rear screen – with a pinch of SLS – hood power domes, rear lamp graphics and cab-rearward proportions.
Citroen Cactus concept car (2013): the first bubble-wrap, bump-free car
Thu, 05 Sep 2013French car firm Citroen has enjoyed some success with its range of upmarket DS models – but now it’s turning its attention to the bread-and-butter C-line cars. And the new 2013 Citroen Cactus concept car is the first look at what’s in store for the mainstream Citroen car range. The Citroen Cactus immediately stands out from the crowd of same-again European crossovers because of its novel Airbump system: think of protective bubble-wrap on the doors and bumpers to protect them from scrapes and dings in car parks and you’re not far from the truth.
Luxury Ford Mondeo Vignale concept revealed
Thu, 05 Sep 2013Would you buy a posh Mondeo? Ford is betting that some people will, as next year sees the Blue Oval introduce a new Vignale trim level and equipment package that offers not just more style and luxury for your money but also an exclusive, premium customer and ownership experience. As a precursor to this move, Ford has today unveiled a pair of Mondeo Vignale Concept cars, one based on the next-generation Mondeo saloon, the other on the estate.
