Blog on 2040Parts

2015 Subaru WRX debuts at Los Angeles Auto Show

If you loved the rakish WRX concept that bowed in New York earlier this year, the production 2015 WRX, which debuted today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, may be a slight downer: decidedly less boy-racer than its predecessors, its sculpted fender flares and unique sheetmetal only slightly disguise its Impreza rootstock. But the WRX has always been more about performance than style, anyway, and Subaru says the new car will top its predecessor on that front. The '14 WRX's 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer-four squeezes out 268 hp and 258 lb-ft -- just a little bit more than the outgoing 2.5-liter turbo-equipped car.

Mini unveils new Cooper and Cooper S at LA Auto Show

Mini unveiled its Mini Cooper earlier this week, but this is the first time we've had a glimpse of it stateside. What's there to say about the Mini? Well, it's not so mini anymore -- it grows by 4.5 inches, 1.7 inches wider, and about half an inch taller.

One Lap of the Web: Stop! It's Sledgehammer time!

-- There's a Bitter SC on eBay this week, and unlike most examples that we see on the list that is Craig's and the Electronic Bays, this is actually in decent shape. Some of you might remember these when they were new, and they remain the best way and perhaps the only way to get into an Opel Senator on this side of the Atlantic. (If you're into that sort of thing.) -- OK, we get it -- Mongolia has only about 2,000 miles of paved roads, but that's no excuse for chafing through a bottleneck in this manner.

Porsche Macan (2014) first official pictures

By Damion Smy First Official Pictures 20 November 2013 05:00 Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you: this Porsche SUV is the Macan. If it looks like big-brother Cayenne condensed, that’s no accident. The Macan is based on the Audi Q5, but it’s slightly longer, wider and lower.

Honda Vezel urban SUV crossover stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Honda has unveiled its take on the burgeoning compact crossover sector at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and it’s called the Vezel. You can do your own jokes, but rest assured it won’t be called that once it reaches the UK sometime in 2015. It’s based on the same platform as the all-new Honda Fit, the car we know as the Jazz, and will go on sale in Japan this December.

Tokyo Motor Show: Jaguar F-Type Coupe

HOT On the heels of the critically acclaimed F-Type Roadster, Jaguar has unveiled the hardtop version: the F-Type Coupe. Wowing audiences at both Los Angeles and Tokyo motor shows, the tin-top version of the British luxury car builder’s new model is expected to hit UK showrooms next March. The car, styled by long standing Jaguar design boss Ian Callum, gains the same V6 petrol motor as the Roadster, however there’s a tweaked V8 for the flagship F-Type R boasting a considerable 542bhp.

Honda S660 concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Honda is calling the S660 a concept, but when company president Takanobu Ito took to the stage at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, one of the first things he did was confirm this exciting new small sports car – the spiritual successor to the Honda Beat – will be going into production in 2015. This is great news for Honda, and Ito-san acknowledged a next-generation small sports car has been long awaited by Honda fans, who’ve had little excitement to cheer about since the last Civic Type R and the S2000 roadster were stripped from the model line up. Please click the picture above to read more about the Honda S660 concept at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

New 2014 Porsche Macan revealed in LA

Porsche has revealed its new compact SUV at the LA Motor Show - the first time, claims the German brand, that a sports car has ever been offered in the compact SUV segment. The firm really is going all-out to emphasise the sporting aspects of the Macan: it sets new benchmarks for the segment on road, says Porsche. "It is the sports car in it segment." Deliveries of the new Macan begin in April 2014 - but it is actually on sale now.

Suzuki X-Lander concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Anyone out there remember the Smart Crossblade – a bizarre roofless version of the first generation Smart Fortwo with very little in the way of doors. Well, whatever the designers of that were taking, Suzuki’s been having a go on it, too. Meet the X-Lander hybrid concept.

Honda Vezel Hybrid is the production Urban Concept & Jazz SUV: Tokyo Motor Show

Honda Vezel Hybrid is the production Urban Concept At the Detroit Auto Show at the start of the year, Honda revealed the Urban Concept as a compact SUV based on the Jazz and destined to take on cars like the Nissan Juke. Fast forward to the Tokyo Motor Show and the Honda Vezel Hybrid has been revealed as the production version of the Urban Concept (although it’s unlikely the Vezel name will be used in the UK) and will arrive in the UK in 2015. In Japan, Honda are offering the Vezel with either a Sport Hybrid i-DCD which mates a 1.5 litre petrol wityh an electric motor or as a straightforward 1.5 litre petrol, both of which will be available when the Vezel goes on sale in Japan on 20th December 2013.

Ford shows Edge Concept

Ford took the wraps of the Edge Concept at the LA Auto Show, and the company says the crossover offers strong hints at the next-generation production Edge. The big news is a sleeker shape, front and rear LED lights, better fuel economy and technology that includes self parking and obstacle avoidance. The self parking is a prototype technology using sensors that allow the Edge to be parked at the touch of a button, or remotely.

Jaguar F-type Coupe R at the Los Angeles Motor Show 2013

Jaguar has unveiled the new 2014 F-type Coupe - the spiritual successor to the fabled Jag E-type - at a star-studded event on the eve of the Los Angeles Motor Show 2013. And the closed-top F-type coupe came with a surprise: there will be a high-performance F-type Coupe R model available at launch, boasting a Porsche-baiting 550hp. This makes it the fastest F-type to date, dispatching the benchmark 0-60mph drag race in a blistering 4.0sec.

Tokyo Motor Show: Lexus RC Coupe

JAPANESE car maker Lexus has unveiled a new two-door coupe at the Tokyo show. Designed to appeal to a broader range of customers than the usual Lexus buyer profile, the car has been shown with both petrol and petrol-electric hybrid power. Based on the look of the LF-LC concept first shown at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, this car boasts a long, low-slung profile but with seats for four.

New Nissan GT-R Nismo at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show

The Nissan GT-R – one of the most iconic sports car models of all time – was unveiled in its latest go-even-faster Nismo incarnation in Tokyo on Tuesday 19th November 2013. MSN went to soak up the atmosphere at Nissan’s HQ in Yokohama on the outskirts of Tokyo and speak to the management. “Developing the GT-R is an act of passion and a driver of innovation”, so declared Nissan’s overall boss Carlos Ghosn (bottom left) after he was driven on stage by record-breaking driver Michael Krumm at the exclusive reveal of its GT-R supercar in Yokohama.

Suzuki Crosshiker concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Back in 2011, Suzuki unveiled an ultra-efficient small car concept called the Regina –　though this name was quickly changed to G70 for Europe (can’t imagine why). Now in 2013, Suzuki has unveiled the Crosshiker – a taller, chunkier take on the same theme. This is a very modern crossover, in other words.

Daihatsu Kopen concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

This modest Daihatsu Kopen concept is indisputably one of the stars of the Tokyo Motor Show 2013. As the name suggests, it’s an all-new version of Daihatsu's tiny but fun, folding metal hardtop roadster sports car. And yes, it is now spelt with a K rather than a C.

Ford Edge (2015) first official pictures

By Phil McNamara First Official Pictures 20 November 2013 10:00 Ford will take on the Nissan X-Trail, Volvo XC60 and Korea’s big SUVs with the second-generation Edge, which is coming to Europe around 2015. Unveiled today (20 November) in concept form, the Edge will sit above the baby EcoSport and mid-size Kuga and complete Ford’s European SUV line-up. The concept has a couple of high-tech tricks up its tailpipe: the Edge can park itself without anyone in the driving seat, and steer around obstacles if you’re bearing down on an obstruction.

Land Rover pledges continued support for Race2Recovery

LAND ROVER has confirmed it will continue to sponsor the Race2Rocovery team of injured British servicemen who are tackling the 2014 Dakar Rally. The Race2Recovery team is the only disabled rally outfit in the world and will compete using Land Rover-based Wildcat race machines. Land Rover is providing the team with parts, logistics, vehicle and financial support throughout their 2014 campaign.

Mercedes brings virtual reality to life

MERCEDES-BENZ has created a real-life version of the racing car it designed for the Playstation 3 racing game Gran Turismo 6. Called the Mercedes-benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo, the full-size concept car previews the one that will appear in the computer game. The real-life racer takes its inspiration from Mercedes’ 1950’s racing cars, except the Vision Grand Turismo has LED lights where the classic racers had louvres.

Honda looks ahead with new SUV

HONDA has unveiled a brand-new crossover SUV at the Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled to reach the UK in 2015. The compact-sized Vezel offers four-wheel drive and in Japan will come in petrol and hybrid models, although the 1.6-litre diesel is likely to feature in European specification. Combining the stance and driving position of an SUV but the design features of a coupe, the Vezel aims to compete with the increasing number of crossover vehicles that are winning sales from conventional hatchbacks.

257mpg Volkswagen Twin Up! concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Volkswagen has rolled out yet another Up! city car-based concept for the Tokyo Motor Show 2013. Don’t worry though – the Twin Up!

Mercedes To The Rescue This Winter

WITH the winter weather already resulting in plunging temperatures, Mercedes is reminding us that it’s time to switch to winter tyres. Although still a rare thing in the UK compared to other European countries, manufacturers and tyre companies are hoping that UK motorists will eventually embrace cold weather tyre technology. When fitted, the tyres can help deliver shorter braking distances in low grip and cold conditions.

Mitsubishi GC-PHEV concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Mitsubishi has no less than three future-reaching concept cars on display at Tokyo 2013, and this is the biggest of all of them. It’s called the Concept GC-PHEV, and amongst many other things gives us a sneak peak at current thinking for the next-generation Mitsubishi Shogun. However, it also features a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and a plug-in electric hybrid system, and a cabin with more touchscreens than your local electronics emporium.

Mercedes Concept GLA45 AMG unveiled at 2013 LA Motor Show

Take Mercedes’ compact GLA off-roader and combine it with the 2.0-litre turbo engine from the German firm’s A45 AMG scorching hot hatchback and what do you get? The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA45 AMG 4x4. Making its debut at the 2013 Los Angeles Motor Show, thanks to that engine the hot Merc crossover boasts some impressive performance stats that’d embarrass some out-and-out sports cars.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

It's a sad day, but the reveal of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition at Tokyo – and LA – really does represent the end of the line for Mercedes' gullwing supercar. All good things come to an end. Even if we might have hoped for a slightly more tasteful finish in this particular instance.

Ford Ka (2015) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 20 November 2013 16:00 This is the new Ford Ka, which Ford has slapped with a last-minute ‘concept’ tag. The reason it looks like the finished product is because underneath, the Ka shares components with the Brazilian market Figo, of which Ford has sold 100,000 in 2011. With production-ready giveaways bits like wipers and mirrors present and correct, it’s difficult to see anything changing before the new Ka goes on sale.

Tokyo Motor Show: Lexus LF-NX Concept

WHILE this striking LF-NX concept might have only made its debut a few months a go, for the Tokyo Motor Show Lexus has unveiled an updated version of its striking compact SUV. With its bold grille generating plenty of column inches, the premium Japanese car maker has decided to remodel the car’s nose slightly as it continues on its path towards eventual production status. Also new is the inclusion of a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, which is likely to feature alongside Lexus’ usual hybrid offering.

Tokyo Motor Show: Mini appears across the globe

FRESH from its world debut at the Cowley plant in which it will be built, the new third-generation Mini has made its Asian debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Both the modern Mini, and before it the original Issigonis Mini, are extremely popular in Japan where its strong British identity and high degree of personalisation hold strong appeal. The third generation version will build on that with its enhanced looks and specification.

Subaru Levorg concept stars at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

The Subaru Levorg, eh? This is a ‘concept’ version for a next generation Subaru estate, and though it’s not being explicitly underlined here at Tokyo 2013, we understand the name is an amalgamation of Legacy, Revolution and Touring. While revolutionary wouldn’t exactly be out first choice description, the Levorg does feature a new 170hp 1.6-litre DIT turbo engine, and the latest Subaru EyeSight safety technology.

'Bloody cyclists' driver convicted

A MOTORIST from Norfolk who tweeted about "bloody cyclists" after a collision described the post as "my biggest regret" as she was convicted of driving offences. Former trainee accountant Emma Way, 22, from Watton, was found guilty at Norwich Magistrates' Court of failing to stop after a collision and failing to report an accident. She was cleared of driving without due care and attention.