Blog on 2040Parts

How celebrities stay safe in their cars with 007-style gadgets

You’re rich, famous and important enough to think you need a little more protection from your car than the standard anti-intruder alarm. What do you do? Buy a heavily armoured mobile fortress from US car modifiers ‘Texas Armoring Corporation’, of course.

New York to LA record for pre-war cars to be attempted again in a 1930 Ford

Australians Rod Wade and Michael Flanders will be making a second attempt to drive from New York to Los Angeles in less than 60 hours on Nov. 22, after their first attempt ended two weeks ago with their 1930 Ford Model A suffering a mechanical failure 38 hours into the trip. That effort began in the early morning hours of Oct.

£127k McLaren MP4-12C tops the bill at BCA Auction

A host of luxury and performance cars went under the hammer at the BCA Blackbushe Top Car Auction this week, including a McLaren MP4-12C and a nearly-new Jaguar F-Type. BCA said, "the high-end prestige and sports car market has a strong following with buyers and we have seen lots of interest in high value vehicles during 2013, with bidders prepared to invest six-figure sums for the right vehicle." Judging by some of the prices realised, there are still bargains to be found... Please click the image above to read more about the BCA Blackbushe Top Car Auction

Land Rover Defender Challenge announced (2014)

By Damion Smy Motor Industry 30 October 2013 12:01 Land Rover has confirmed that it is the official sponsor of the 2014 ‘Defender Challenger by Bowler’, which will see a field of up to 15 tricked-up Defender 90s hit the rough stuff as crews get down and dirty, Dakar style. It’s all about enticing those who are curious about rally raids, such as the legendary Dakar event that’s held early each year. A lack of experience, as well as costs, has made it difficult for novices looking to qualify for the necessary licence, so the Defender Challenge is ideal for rally wannabes looking to dip a toe in the water, so to speak, with no experience required to enter.

Five Suzuki concepts for 2013 Tokyo Motor Show

Suzuki has announced no less than five concept cars for the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, which takes place in Japan this November. Four of them are new: the Suzuki Crosshiker, the Suzuki X-Lander, the Suzuki Hustler and the Suzuki Hustler Coupe – the fifth being the Suzuki iV-4 already seen at Frankfurt this year. Suzuki Crosshiker concept We’ll start with the best one, which is by no small margin the Crosshiker concept.

2014 Land Rover Defender Challenge announced

By Damion Smy Motor Industry 30 October 2013 12:01 Land Rover has confirmed that it is the official sponsor of the 2014 ‘Defender Challenger by Bowler’, which will see a field of up to 15 tricked-up Defender 90s hit the rough stuff as crews get down and dirty, Dakar style. It’s all about enticing those who are curious about rally raids, such as the legendary Dakar event that’s held early each year. A lack of experience, as well as costs, has made it difficult for novices looking to qualify for the necessary licence, so the Defender Challenge is ideal for rally wannabes looking to dip a toe in the water, so to speak, with no experience required to enter.

Aeromobil flying car takes to the skies!

For nearly 100 years, inventors, entrepreneurs and men in sheds have been attempting to combine the car with an aeroplane, with the ultimate aim of creating a car that flies. Yet the flying car still remains the reserve of science fiction films and action movies. But wait.

MP calls for taxis to have CCTV

HIGH RISK situations for taxi drivers could be mitigated by installing CCTV cameras in all minicabs and taxis, according to a Conservative MP. Bedford MP Richard Fuller said that cameras, which are long overdue, would also help make passengers feel safer. Proposing his Licensed Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles (Closed circuit television) Bill, Mr Fuller said: "In this Bill, I would propose that we should provide for secure and encrypted CCTV." Mr Fuller's Bill would ensure that recordings would only be for police access and only in specific cases.

Top five Halloween destinations revealed

THE TOP FIVE spooky destinations to drive to have been revealed in a spine-chilling survey. Top of scariest spots is Edinburgh, which is reckoned to be the most haunted city in the UK thanks to ghostly sightings all around Scotland’s capital. There’s also the nearby Roslyn Chapel that made an appearance in Dan Brown’s book ‘The Da Vinci Code’ Next up is Dracula’s homeland of Transylvania, where vampires are said to roam the streets under cover of darkness.

Rated: self-braking cars that avoid a crash

The most recent advance in vehicle safety has to be the autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) – a sophisticated suite of sensors and electronics that monitors objects in front of your car, automatically applying the brakes for you if it senses you’re heading to hit something. Up until now these auto-brake features have not been rated, but ahead of a new 2014 test that will include AEB systems in its overall safety star scoring, Euro NCAP has put the some of the vehicles already equipped with this technology through their paces. MSN Cars has the results.

'Dracula' rides through Transylvania

A BRITISH man dressed as Dracula has just completed a bizarre road trip through historical Transylvania, riding a classic Ural motorbike fitted with a coffin as a sidecar. Nick Cunningham, 47, has just completed the ghoulishly good three-day journey along some of Europe’s best roads and scenery. And as if Dracula wasn’t enough for the locals to cope with, Nick’s companion for the trip, six-foot-four Nick Jackson, was dressed as Frankenstein’s Monster.

Road management proposals 'could save millions'

£2.6 MILLION IN TAXES could be saved over the next decade by reforming how roads are managed, the Department for Transport has said. Roads Minister Robert Goodwill unveiled a consultation on turning the Highways Agency into a Government-owned company. In a statement to MPs, Mr Goodwill said the reforms would mean the creation of a "road user watchdog" similar to Passenger Focus on the railways.

'Make electric cars loud and safer'

ELECTRIC AND HYBRID cars should be made louder to protect people with eyesight problems, an MP and charities have urged. Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) said the Government should first ensure the vehicles are safe for all road users after pledging millions of pounds in subsidies for the ultra-low emissions market. She believes sound generators should be fitted to the vehicles to ensure visually-impaired (VI) pedestrians are aware of them.

Supermarkets cut petrol prices

MOTORISTS have received some late-autumn cheer in the form of supermarket cuts to the price of petrol. Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco all announced that reductions would take effect from today. Asda said that no one filling up at its forecourts would pay more than 126.7p a litre for petrol from today , with diesel priced at 133.7p.

Incredible custom Rolls-Royce Chicane Phantom Coupe

When the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe isn't exclusive enough, let Rolls-Royce Bespoke create something unique for you. That's what Rolls-Royce Dubai's brand manager did when he had the idea for the Chicane Phantom Coupe. It's said to be inspired by the famous and historic Goodwood Motor Circuit, which just happens to be adjacent to the home of Rolls-Royce.

Audi Sport Quattro Concept arrives on video

It does seem almost a certainty that Audi are planning on building a production version of the Audi Sport Quattro concept we saw at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month. After all, Audi has already had one stab at a high-end recreation of the iconic quattro in 2010, turned up at Frankfurt with a second, more powerful, version and has now got that version running around on video to celebrate 100,000 Facebook Likes. If Audi are going to build the Sport Quattro it’s almost certainly going to be a limited edition run at a price that eclipses even the current range-topping Audi R8 V10 Plus.

Art Center Car Classic features the world's great automobiles

It seems like we say this every year, but this year it's truly fitting: this was the best Art Center Car Classic ever. Consider that the show covered both ends of the Corvette spectrum, from Peter Brock and the rise of the original “Mitchell Corvette” -- which was right there parked on the grass -- to General Motors designer Pete Thomas and the new C7 parked not far away, with the Mako Shark and the '63 split-window Sting Ray lined up between. A couple car lengths from that was the debut of the finally finished Peter Mullin Bugatti Type 64, a spectacular re-imagining of Jean Bugatti's unfinished final car done by Art Center students and Transportation Design chair Stewart Reed.

2104 Mercedes C-Class: First exterior photos leak

Mercedes started to tease the 2014 C-Class last week, followed quickly by the first official interior photos of the new C-Class. Now we get the first leaked photo of the exterior. Looking very much like an evolution of the current C-Class – but with overtones of both the CLA and new S-Class – the new C-Class is going to have to be special to compete not only with the BMW 3 Series but also Mercedes own A-Class range.

Citroën designer teases production Cactus on French TV

Citroën has given us a first glimpse of its production C4 Cactus model on a French television show. Viewers of TF1's ‘Auto Moto' program saw its presenter briefly lift the cover from the car's side, which showed that the unique ‘Airbumps' - made from a spongy material that protects against everyday wear and tear - have been retained, while a B-pillar and standard door handles have been added. An interior digital render was also presented, showing a cabin that's largely unchanged from the concept, which was unveiled at this year's Frankfurt motor show.

Suzuki CrossHiker, X-Lander & Hustler Concepts for Tokyo Motor Show

It’s the Tokyo Motor Show next month, and that’s a big deal for Japanese car makers, eager to make a statement at their home motor show, and Suzuki are quick out of the gate with three new concepts for the show. The Suzuki Crosshiker is a three-door crossover that comes complete with a big panoramic roof, weighs just a bit over 800kg, is about the size of a compact car – but higher riding, and is powered by a new, frugal three-cylinder engine. Concept number two is the Suzuki X-Lander which get built on the underpinnings of the Jimny and gets four wheel drive with power coming from a 1.3 litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor.

Autoweek's Best of the Best/Car finalists for 2014

Every year, hundreds of new cars and trucks pass through our fleet for evaluation, and we're always on the lookout for those dazzling few deserving more careful scrutiny for our top honors: The Autoweek Best of the Best. We strive to do our judging under the radar with as little manufacturer knowledge as possible. We test for the Best of the Best by checking drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior styling and the like.

Google driverless cars ‘safer than humans’

Google claims that its driverless cars are now safer than human motorists, after analysing testing data gathered over thousands of experimental miles of assessment. The Internet search giant has been developing its controversial autonomous cars for several years, adapting a fleet of 10 vehicles – including six Toyota Prius hybrids, three Lexus RX450h off-roaders and an Audi TT – to drive by themselves. On Bing: see pictures of Google’s driverless carsThe driverless cars are coming – but are Brits ready?

Mad Ferrari V8-engined quad bike

Quad bikes are a curious mode of transport. Especially when they’re powered by a 3.0-litre Ferrari V8 engine. Yes, you read that right – this is the Lazareth Wazuma V8F Matt Edition and beneath its barely there bodywork lurks a thoroughbred V8 motor usually mounted in the middle of one of Maranello’s finest.

Transport recovering after storm

ROAD NETWORKS are slowly getting back to normal after a day of commuter chaos caused by the hurricane-force winds that whipped across the country. All forms of transport were hit by the storm, with the disruption causing morning rush-hour misery to millions. Many roads were impassable due to fallen trees and high winds, with major routes beset by long delays.

Car insurance 'ghost broker' jailed

A "GHOST BROKER" from south-west London has been jailed at the Old Bailey for what is believed to be the UK's biggest fake car insurance scam, police said. Danyal Buckharee created four websites offering cheap car insurance and used paid-for advertising to ensure his online enterprises appeared at the top of internet searches. Between May 2011 and April last year he used the websites to dupe 600 drivers into buying worthless policies over the phone, the investigation by City of London Police's Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) found.

Avoid Hurricane Sandy cars with these tips

Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast a year ago, and like all storms its size, we're still paying for its unintended consequences today. One of the areas that always gets a boost after a storm like this is the used car market. More than 250,000 cars were damaged by the hurricane, and 50 percent of these will be resold, according to Kars4Kids, the nation's largest car-donation charity.

Ultimate luxury: 2014 long wheelbase Range Rover revealed

If you ever thought the Range Rover was a touch cramped in the back, you’re in luck. Land Rover has unveiled the first long wheelbase Range Rover for 20 years, adding even more comfort and space to the already lavish off-roader. Alongside this, it’s also confirmed a new "exclusive specification" for the line-up – the Range Rover Autobiography Black.

Suzuki announces trio of concepts for Tokyo

Suzuki has announced it will unveil three new concepts at next month's Tokyo motor show. The Crosshiker compact three-door crossover is described as an alternative to the 2011 Regina/G70 concept. Along with a panoramic roof, Suzuki promises it will adopt a more exciting design tailored specifically for adults while keeping it playful.

Asda sparks new fuel price cuts

SUPERMARKET Asda has sparked a likely petrol price war by announcing further cuts. Asda said that drivers filling up at its forecourts from tomorrow (Wednesday) will pay no more than 126.7p a litre for petrol, with diesel priced at 133.7p. Jeremy Walton, head of petrol trading at Asda, said: "Our shoppers don't have to figure out complicated deals and collect vouchers to get the best price; they simply pay what they see at the pump.

Report backs Scottish pay-as-you-drive

SCRAPPING FUEL DUTY and car tax in Scotland and replacing them with a pay-as-you-drive system has been suggested by an independent think tank. The scheme would help reduce emissions, cut congestion and increase fairness, Reform Scotland said. The organisation has produced a report on the idea, calling for the Scottish Government to launch a feasibility study on a national and local scheme in which central government would "price" motorways and trunk roads and local authorities would "price" local roads.