Allstar Performance Timing Cover Sbm on 2040-parts.com

New car sales surge again

NEW CAR sales have risen again in September thanks to rapid growth in demand from private buyers, according to statistics released today. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that a rise of 16.7% in the private sector helped to drive a ‘super September’ that saw overall sales rise by almost 11% over the same month last year. The new 63 registration plate has helped drive customers to showrooms across the country, with the latest breed of fuel-efficient, smooth and quiet petrol engines selling particularly strongly.

Lotus Elise Club Racer (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

The Lotus Elise Club Racer is the latest variation on the long-serving Elise, which will debut at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Disciples of the 'Lotus=lightweight' mantra will be pleased to know the Elise Club Racer does without the German tuner bling, additional luxury features or merchandising that have appeared during CEO Dany Bahar's bold reinvention of the Hethel sports car maker. The Elise Club Racer marks a return to old-school values for Lotus, with some 24kg of extraneous weight removed from the 15-year-old Elise; and added hardware tweaks to ensure the well-regarded roadster retains its performance edge.

Cadillac ATS coupe confirmed

General Motors plans to introduce a coupe version of its Cadillac ATS compact next year, one in a spate of vehicle introductions for the luxury brand. Several dealers told Automotive News they were shown an ATS coupe at a national dealer meeting in Las Vegas this month. Also unveiled to dealers was the 2015 Escalade, which is expected to go into production in January.