Blog on 2040Parts

One Lap of the Web: Drop the (AMG) Hammer, Superbirds and Sir Mix-A-Lot's Porsche

-- It's the mid-1980s. You have bottomless pockets and the need for speed. Do you buy a Countach or stick with a sleepy-looking W124 Mercedes-Benz station wagon?

The Mini Moke makes its comeback

It wouldn't be entirely fair to put the Mini Moke into the 'so bad it's good' category, but the fact remains, the Moke wasn't that great. And yet, despite its tepid performance, questionable off-road ability and tendency to rust, it was a runaway success. Let's face it, the Mini Moke remains one of the coolest cars ever created.

Drink-Driving Among Elderly Rising

NEW figures suggest drinking and driving among elderly motorists is on the rise. Police forces in the UK have reported that as many as 232 over-75s were caught driving over the legal limit last year, including a 93-year-old stopped in Devon. According to insurer Swiftcover.com the number of over-75s offending has increased by 20% since 2010.

Goodwood names the date for its 2014 events

ON your marks, get set, open your wallets – the dates for Goodwood’s 2014 headline motorsport meetings have been announced. The immensely popular Festival of Speed is scheduled to take place from Thursday 26 June to Sunday 29 June. With action focused on the famous hill and in the grounds of Lord March’s estate, this increasingly family-focused event promises more of what’s made it so popular: iconic historic cars, an action-packed rally stage and plenty of manufacturer supported displays.

Chancellor to ‘freeze fuel duty’ until 2015?

The chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne, has announced that fuel duty will be frozen until 2015 – if the savings can be found to pay for it. The announcement came during a speech at the Conservative party conference, in which George Osborne said: “Provided we can find the savings to pay for it, I want to freeze fuel duty for the rest of this parliament.” The 2p-a-litre rise planned by the Labour government for September 2014 would be cancelled, continuing a freeze that has lasted two-and-a-half years already. But this is conditional on the treasury finding the funds to cover it.

2014's best bargain cars under $16,000

Kia Are you currently in the market for a new car, but you aren't ready to take out a second mortgage in order to afford it? The automotive market these days is brimming with so many different models and options to choose from it can become quite an overwhelming process. Fear not, thrifty buyer, because you're in luck.

Hyundai JPE Genesis Coupe looks like BRZ fighter

Hyundai’s next SEMA trick is a joint effort with tuner John Pangilinan. The pair has linked up again for the JP Edition Genesis Coupe in Atlantis blue. The JP Edition will be on display in Las Vegas Nov.

More luxury for Mazda's CX-5

MAZDA has added an SE-L Lux trim to its CX-5 crossover model. It provides a sunroof, electric driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard. There is also an SE-L Lux Nav model that comes with satellite navigation included, which costs from £25,195, which is £1200 more than the standard SE-L Nav model.

BMW 4-series Convertible (2013) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 13 October 2013 20:30 This is the new BMW 4-series Convertible, which goes on UK sale in early 2014 priced from £36,675. Although it's got a new name, the 4-series Convertible deviates little from the recipe of its predecessor, the 3-series Convertible. It's still a two-door, four-seater set-up, and the roof is a three-piece folding hard-top contraption.

OFFICIAL: 2014 BMW 4 Series Convertible

OFFICIAL: 2014 BMW 4 Series Convertible A few days ago we had the first leaked photos of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible, so it was clear BMW were close to revealing the 4 Series Convertible. And here it is. Bigger than the old 3 Series Convertible – and, not surprisingly, looking very like the 4 Series Coupe – the new 4 Series Convertible keeps the folding metal roof the 3 Series had so you really get a proper coupe and convertible all in one.

Japanese Grand Prix (2013) RESULT

Japanese Grand Prix (2013) RESULT With four more races left on the F1 calendar after the Japanese Grand Prix, can Sebastian Vettel take the drivers title in Suzuka? That was the question on everyone’s lips this morning as the Japanese Grand Prix started, with Vettel in second on the grid alongside team mate Mark Webber on pole,. with the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and the Lotus of Romain Grosjean lurking on row two to spoil the German’s party.

Audi TTS Limited Edition coming to the UK. Price from £38,860

Audi TTS Limited Edition marks 500,000 TT sales In some ways the Audi TT seems to have been around for ever, although it was actually launched in 1998 and garnered fame as a bit of a softy aimed at hairdressers and others who valued cosmetics over ability. But the latest Audi TT is a much better car and does offer real performance and real driving fun, especially if you opt for the TT RS. In the fifteen years since the TT launched, Audi has managed to flog 500,000, and to celebrate we’re treated to a new TT limited edition – the Audi TTS Limited Edition – which comes with cosmetic tweaks and as a coupe or roadster.

Official 2014 BMW 4-series convertible photo gallery

Feast your eyes on the new 2014 BMW 4-series convertible: The newest drop-top BMW looks, well, a lot like you'd expect a hardtop convertible version of the company's new 4-series coupe to look. Mimicking the rest of the 4-series lineup, the 2014 4-series convertible will be offered in I-4 428i and straight-six 435i versions, each with a standard 8-speed automatic. Only the 428i will be available with BMW's xDrive AWD system at launch, however -- RWD is standard on both trim levels.

Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying: Webber takes pole for Red Bull

Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying: Webber takes pole for Red Bull It’s been a long time since Mark Webber took pole position in a Grand Prix, but luck was on the side of the seemingly perpetually unlucky Webber as a KERS problem took the edge of Vettel’s speed in Suzuka this morning. Webber ended up beating his team mate by 0.174 seconds to take his first pole of the 2013 F1 season and make this the first time he’s out qualified Vettel this year too. Behind the Red Bull pair, Lewis Hamilton took third place for Mercedes with Romain Grosjean giving Lotus a fourth place on the grid.

2014 MINI Driver Assist Systems revealed

2014 MINI Driver Assist Systems revealed (heads-up display pictured) The 2014 MINI – an all-new MINI – is due to be revealed on 18th November – Sir Alex Issigonis’s 107th birthday – as MINI drives in to a new generation with a car that is all new and rather BMW under the skin. We’ve already seen what the new MINI will look like with the reveal of the MINI Vision Concept, and now we get to see some of the new technology the new MINI will offer, in particular its driver assist systems. MINI say the new driver assist systems will use intelligent networking to transform the new MINI in to a proper driver’s assistant, with technology that aims to inform and assist Making the most of BMW’s technology, the new MINI comes with a heads-up display that puts important information right in the driver’s line of sight, with a small folding screen on the dashboard displaying stuff like speed, Nav instructions, alerts and infotainment information.

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price The BMW i3 – BMW’s first foray in to a world of electric cars – was officially revealed in July – and due on sale in 2014 – and seems, by electric car standards, to be almost affordable. At a starting price of £30,680 – £25,680 after the taxpayer bribe for EV buyers – it’s no more expensive than other electric cars and does come with some clever technology – and the BMW badge – that will help it move out of showrooms. But as we reported as far back as 2011, the BMW i3 is to get a range-extender option – a small petrol engine that kicks in to recharge the batteries when they get low – which will make the i3 a much more practical proposition.

McLaren P1 driven by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson (video)

McLaren P1 driven by Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson (pictured) It’s only a few days since McLaren revealed the first customer P1s are now rolling out of McLaren’s clinical production facility in Woking, and it looks like Jeremy Clarkson has bagged one to play with. The video (below) shows Clarkson behind the wheel of the new P1 which, judging by the number plate, is probably one of the first customer cars on the road. The opinionated one is preceded in the video by a pair of Range Rovers – one new, one old – at least one of which is a camera car, so this drive of the Mclaren P1 is obviously heading for a TV screen soon – hopefully on Top Gear.

The Moke is back, baby!

The past two days have been quite an emotional roller coaster. First, we were crushed to hear that the end of the line is fast approaching for the rugged, beloved Land Rover Defender. Next thing we know, we're reading about the resumption of Moke production in China over at Hemmings and everything is sunshine and rainbows once again.

Would you buy a Chevrolet Montana?

A few weeks ago, we asked you if you would be interested in a Ford Ecosport, a compact sport utility based on the Ford Fiesta. Defying the laws of just about every scientific discipline, the Ecosport manages to fit within the footprint of a Golf. A few of you were intrigued by the Ecosport's looks and frugal engines -- and it has to be noted that the Ecosport is taking developing markets by storm.

Is this the first crash of a privately owned C7 Corvette?

Details are scarce at the moment, but it looks like this might be the first crash of a privately owned C7 Corvette. Here's what we heard from our tipster: - There were apparently no serious injuries. - The damage to the front of the car is extensive.

One Lap of the Web: Ferrari sketches, attainable classics and a Brougham

-- A set of Ferrari sketches leaked online at jokeforblog.blogspot.it. It looks to be a hard-core, two-seater version of the shooting brake FF. The sketches were picked from the European Patent Register -- check them out.

Behind The Scenes: Hot Wheels Design Studio [w/Video]

Hot Wheels' vice president of design Felix Holst has spent some time chatting to Cool Hunting about the brand's design philosophy at its Design Studio at Mattel's headquarters in El Segundo, California, in a new video. According to Holst Hot Wheels has evolved from being focused on muscle cars and V8 engines to being all about technology as a reflection of the new generation they're designing for.  He explains the benefits of designing over 240 vehicles a year that aren't limited by rules and regulations, saying in a studio that's driven by pushing the boundaries, it's a question of just how wild they can get.  The video really captures not only the men's passion for their jobs but the fun they have doing it. Small wonder Holst says he'd never go back to car design, and reveals the studio is packed with qualified car designers who chose Hot Wheels over conventional jobs in the industry.  We also hear from Hot Wheels Car Maker's designer Julian Payne, who explains how the new Car Maker – which gives you the chance to mold your own custom Hot Wheels at home – works.

New Kia Soul EV on sale in UK by end of 2014

The new Kia Soul EV will be on sale in UK by end of 2014 We knew there would be a Kia Soul EV by 2014, but we didn’t know whether Kia UK would offer it in the UK. But they will. Yaser Shabsogh, Kia’s UK Commercial Director, has confirmed that the electric Soul will be offered in the UK, but not until the end of 2014, some months after the arrival of the new Soul in early 2014.

Toyota talks powertrain plans

After trailing many of its competitors in the recent engine- and transmission-technology wars, Toyota Motor Corp. will launch a swath of powertrains in the next several years, a top powertrain r&d executive said. Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain r&d, said that Toyota is investing heavily in turbocharged engines, larger displacement Atkinson cycle engines, continuously variable and fixed-gear automatic transmissions, and new hybrid and fuel cell technologies.

Volvo launches plan to spread servicing costs

Volvo has launched a new website allowing owners of Volvos up to 48 months old the opportunity to purchase a Volvo Service Plan, via either a one-off payment or a fixed monthly fee. It works in a similar way to car insurance, where you have a choice of either paying monthly or upfront. The pre-paid service plans cover any service carried out on Volvos up to six years of age and up to a maximum of ten scheduled services.

Major restrictions suggested for learner drivers

A NEW report on potential changes to young driver training could cut accident casualties by more than 4,000 a year. The report, from transport research group TRL, recommends teenagers should not be allowed to take their driving test until they are 18, rather than the current threshold of 17. They would have to have a 12-month "learner stage" beginning at 17 with a requirement for at least 100 hours of day-time and 20 hours of night-time supervised practice.

Who will build the car of the future?

The idea of self-driving cars isn't so farfetched anymore. Even our furloughed bureaucrats think so. But the question now is: whose cars?

Updates for 2014 Toyota Land Cruiser

TOYOTA has updated its Land Cruiser 4x4 for 2014 with improvements to the standard specification and revised pricing. It now costs from £34,995 to buy a Land Cruiser and all 2014 models have a revised exterior look that includes reshaped bumpers and grille. There is also a new control panel inside for the on- and off-road driving systems.

Peugeot 308 prices and specs revealed

THE NEW Peugeot 308 will start from £14,495 when it goes on sale in the UK in January. The French company says it has simplified the range and the 308 will now be offered in Access, Active, Allure and Feline trims. All but the entry-level model come with alloy wheels as standard, while all new 308s have air conditioning, cruise control, digital radio, Bluetooth and LED daytime running lights.

New diesel engine for revised Meriva

VAUXHALL’s clever Meriva compact MPV is to benefit from a new 1.6-litre diesel engine. The quieter, smoother and more efficient engine replaces the aging 1.7-litre unit that had been in service across the Vauxhall, Chevrolet and other General Motors brands for many years. This is the second application for the new engine, following its debut in the much larger Zafira Tourer.