Blog on 2040Parts

Top Gear Live schedules extra show

TOP GEAR Live has announced an extra show in Glasgow to meet huge demand, after the initial run of three performances sold out almost immediately. Tickets for the shows at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro venue went on sale on Friday at 9am, but were completely sold out within hours. Two shows had initially been scheduled for Saturday January 18, with one on Sunday January 19.

Supermarkets launch new petrol price war

British supermarkets have launched a new fuel price war which will see petrol prices dip down below the 130 pence per litre mark. Sainsbury’s was first to move, by cutting a huge 6p per litre off the price of unleaded – taking prices down to 129.9p. How to find the cheapest fuel in your area Petrol: don’t waste time and money shopping around Asda quickly followed up by saying nobody will pay more than 128.7p for a litre of petrol.

Extra Terrestrial Vehicle sells for $100k on eBay

It would be tempting to start this gallery with a 1950s B-movie style 'IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE' voiceover, complete with spooky, slightly surreal sci-fi music. And such is the styling of this ETV – or Extra Terrestrial Vehicle – you might forgive us for doing so. But while the ETV can't quite zoom to the moon, it did sell on eBay for a sky-high price.

Mind-powered ‘Emotiv’ car safety system tested

c Mind-controlled car (c) Getty-Ford ‘Neuroengineering’ company Emotiv has created a ‘mind-powered’ headset that can detect when a driver is distracted and automatically slow down the car, in an effort to improve safety. The Australian firm has already brought its most recent mind-controlled device to market – the Epoc headset. It’s this high-tech brain activity monitor that has now been adapted to determine how hard a driver is concentrating on the road ahead.

A14 toll residents 'should be exempt'

RESIDENTS living near the UK's first proposed toll road in a decade should be exempt from payments, councillors have said. Drivers could be charged between £1 and £1.50 to travel along a new stretch of the A14 in Cambridgeshire, according to a consultation document published by the Highways Agency last month. The proposal comes after Chancellor George Osborne announced in the Autumn Statement that the Government would explore whether "in very limited circumstances" tolling could be used to fund significant new capacity on the country's roads.

London 'black' cabs exported to Australia

THE LONDON cab is to make an appearance Down Under - but coloured white rather than the traditional black. The London Taxi Company has exported a test sample of 98 second-hand TX4 taxis to the Western Australian city of Perth where they will under go trials over the next few weeks. It has been thought fit to paint the cabs white to take account of the perpetual Perth sunshine.

The bestselling new cars in Britain

September is the biggest month of the year for new car sales in Britain: car manufacturers say it’s the most important month to get right and a good September performance is thus something of a bellwether test. The UK trade body the SMMT has just released new car registration data for September 2013, which enables us to get a picture of the state of the nation’s new car sales. And the news remains glowing.

Councils urged to shun yellow lines

COUNCILS are being asked to cut unsightly yellow lines as part of a Government drive to rid the streets of clutter. Local Transport Minister Norman Baker has urged local authorities to think about using restricted parking zones, instead of automatically opting to use yellow lines to control parking, particularly in single streets and environmentally-sensitive areas in towns and cities. Restricted parking zones require a limited number of signs which tell motorists if they can or can not park and during which times and are considered less intrusive than conventional yellow lines.

Tesla Model S fire – are petrol or electric cars safer?

Tesla Tesla Model S fire – are petrol or electric cars safer? Last week, a Tesla Model S all-electric luxury car like that pictured above caught fire. Lithium-ion batteries – similar to those powering the Tesla – have developed something of a reputation for spontaneous combustion in recent years, including notable incidents involving not only mobile phones and laptop computers but also the Boeing Dreamliner ‘super jumbo’ passenger aircraft.

MP claims 3p for 100 metre car trip

FORMER DEFENCE secretary Liam Fox successfully claimed 3p of taxpayers' cash for a car journey of fewer than 100 metres, expenses documents show. The Conservative MP made the claim after travelling 0.06 miles, or approximately 96.5 metres, within his North Somerset constituency from a concrete firm to a constituency surgery in Yatton in October 2012. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) notes the claim was paid last December.

Porsche still celebrating 911 50th birthday (video)

All 7 generations of the Porsche 911 (pictured) ‘sing’ Happy Birthday Car makers do like to make the most of any anniversary they can hang a bit of PR on, and Porsche are no different. 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the, now iconic, Porsche 911 and Porsche has been making PR hay all year with everything from a 50th anniversary 911 to a huge gathering of Porsche 911s at the Silverstone Classic. But now, with just a few months of the 911′s anniversary left to milk the PR, Porsche has put together a video featuring all seven generations of the 911, happily wishing themselves a ‘Happy Birthday’.

Korean Grand Prix (2013) RESULT

Korean Grand Prix (2013) RESULT It has looked for some of the F1 season that Mercedes – and particularly Lewis Hamilton – could get stuck in to Sebastian Vettel and slow down his race to another world championship, or that Fernando Alonso could make progress by stealth and put a stop to the German. But that all seems a distant thought as Vettel cruised almost serenely to a win in Korea, despite his lead being compromised at times by two safety cars and even a rogue Jeep fire tender on the track. Behind Vettel, who won by 4.2 seconds from the Lotus pair of Kimmi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean, the best Vettel’s closest rival, Fernando Alonso, could manage was sixth, with Lewis Hamilton putting his Mercedes in fifth, behind Nico Hulkenberg.

New car registrations at five-year high September 2013

New car registrations at five-year high September 2013 Despite the UK economy being in the doldrums for much of the past five years, new car registrations have recovered well ahead of the curve and still seem to be unstoppable. September saw new car registrations hit 403,136 – the highest figure for five and a half years – and the first time since 2008 new car registrations have broken the 400k barrier. We’ve covered the reasons before – pre-reg cars, dealer discounts and even PPI payouts – but car registrations are certainly continuing to give buoyancy to a recovery that’s still fragile.

Korean Grand Prix Qualifying: Vettel on Pole for Red Bull

Korean Grand Prix Qualifying: Vettel on Pole for Red Bull Sebastian Vettel may not the the most popular man in Formula One at the moment, especially after he claimed the reason his car was so good was that Red Bull worked whilst the rest of F1 played. But F1 isn’t a popularity contest, so Vettel’s arrogance – channelled in to his driving – sees  him sitting in a commanding position, once again, in the drivers championship – 60 points clear of Fernando Alonso – as we go in to the Korean Grand Prix. And if this morning’s display is anything to go by, the only thing that will stop Vettel taking yet another drivers championship is mechanical failure.

Concept Car of the Week: Dodge Copperhead (1997)

"If the Dodge Viper is credited for reinventing the Shelby Cobra, then the Dodge Copperhead should be credited for reinventing a car in the tradition of the Austin Healey 3000" said John E. Herlitz, Chrysler Corporation's product design VP. It's hard to find the simple elegance or the charm of the British roadster in this aggressive full-fat American concept with extra cheese; nonetheless, this snake has a dramatic personality of its own.

Skoda Yeti Facelift: Price from £16,600

The Skoda Yeti Facelift costs from £16,600 – where you have the Yeti or Yeti Outdoor But the differences between the two don’t mean a price differential; the Yeti and Yeti Outdoor cost the same on a like for like basis, although the 4×4 versions are only available in the Yeti Outdoor – complete with a new fifth-generation Haldex Clucth 4×4 – for a price premium. The Yeti range starts with the Yeti S 1.2 TSI 105PS at £16,600 and tops out at the Yeti Outdoor L&K 2.0 TDI 140PS 4×4 DSG at £27,050, with three trim levels – S, SE and Elegance – available across both the Yeti and Yeti Outdoor, with the Outdoor also getting a range-topping L&K trim level. Engines on offer include the aforementioned 1.2 TSI and 2.0 CDI with the 1.6 TDI, 1,8 TSI and three versions of the 2.0 TDI – 110PS, 140PS and 170PS – available.

GM's Tom Peters on breaking Corvette design tradition [w/Video]

GM design director of performance vehicles and full-size trucks Tom Peters has defended his decision to break from Corvette tradition by abandoning round rear lamps for the 2014 Stingray in an Autoweek video. The rear lamp design of the new model has been criticized as being "too Camaro" by some, to which Peters challenges them to park one alongside the other before he highlights just how different they are. Functionality also played a key role in the rear lamps' redesign, he explains, such as rear aerodynamic considerations, new LED technology previously unused in Corvette design, and depth of sculpture opportunities.

Barrett-Jackson sells Cobra Jet prototype for $200,000

A 2014 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Prototype sold for $200,000 at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas sale. Proceeds from the charity sale will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. That price is more than $100,000 over sticker for the Cobra Jet, which usually retails for $97,990.

Ferrari 250 GTO sets new world record with £32 million sale

The Ferrari 250 GTO was already the most expensive car in the world ever sold: now, it has cemented its position as reports emerge of an example selling for a staggering £32 million ($50.3m). That’s an increase of almost 50% on the selling price of the former record-setting 250 GTO, an example built for Sir Stirling Moss and sold in 2012. The latest deal is a private transaction and both the identity of the new owner and the location of the car are being kept secret.

VW’s Sebastien Ogier wins 2013 World Rally Championship

By Ollie Kew Motor Industry 04 October 2013 11:00 The World Rally Championship has its first new champion in nearly a decade – and wouldn’t you know it, this one’s called Sebastien too. Taking over the mantle from unbeatable Frenchman Sebastien Loeb is his fellow countryman Sebastien Ogier, driving for VW rather than Loeb’s dominating Citroen World Rally Team. Loeb chose to compete in ‘selected events’ in 2013, opting to race in the Monte Carlo, Sweden and Argentina and France events.

Ringo Starr's Facel Vega II heads to auction

A Facel Vega II originally owned by The Beatles’ drummer, Ringo Starr, is going to auction at Bonhams' The London Sale on 1 December 2013. It’s expected to sell for around £350,000. You probably have several questions already – including, what is a Facel Vega II, exactly?

One lap of the web: Palestine street racing, subjective style and man versus machine

You think you have it tough trying to break into the drifting scene, middle-aged white guy? Try being a woman in Palestine. Vice Magazine followed Noor Dawood and the Speed Sisters as they compete with the male-dominated Middle East street racers.

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.

Revving up for winter

It happens every year, that inevitable moment Mother Nature decides to unleash her snowy wrath on the greater part of the United States. Winter has arrived and suddenly your rear-wheel drive, high-performance cars aren't providing you with the performance or confidence you need to combat those Antarctic-esque conditions. For those fortunate enough to live in year-round T-shirt permitting weather, we invite you to keep reading, because it's a fact that all 50 states receive some measure of winter weather in a typical year.

Volkwagen XL1 makes US debut

The Volkswagen XL1 hyper fuel-efficient vehicle debuted in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Thursday at the 23rd Annual Society of Environmental Journalists Conference. At first we wondered why we weren’t invited, and then we realized it was because of our proclivities for V8s and turning rubber into smoke.

Bercow accused over 'clipped' car

COMMONS SPEAKER John Bercow has been accused of behaving like an "arrogant toff" by a motorist who claims he clipped her parked car in Chelsea. The row was witnessed by an Evening Standard reporter, who happened to be walking past at the time of the incident. Nathalie Pulford, 42, was dining in London's affluent Chelsea neighbourhood when she claims she spotted Mr Bercow bump her car during a parking manoeuvre.

Diesel pollution affects honeybees senses

DIESEL pollution makes it harder for honeybees to find flowers - by changing the chemical make-up of their scent, scientists have found. Honeybees use floral odours to find flowers that will give the best yields of pollen and nectar. But diesel fumes can affect their ability to locate and recognise the plants, potentially affecting pollination and ultimately global food security, the study published in the journal Scientific Reports found.

Skoda confirms prices for two new models

SKODA has announced prices for its two latest models; the Rapid Spaceback and the facelifted Yeti. The Spaceback, which is 180mm shorter and smaller of boot than the ‘notchback’ Rapid, is designed to be the brand’s long-awaited direct rival to the likes of the Ford Focus and Kia Cee’d. It will start from £14,340 on the road for the 1.2 TSI petrol S model with 85bhp.

World Car of the Year 2014 – the contenders

The provisional list of entries for the 2014 World Car of the Year awards has been revealed – this is like the European Car of the Year awards, only judged on a global scale. Each candidate for the main awards must be available for sale on at least two continents. In addition to the main category, the World Car – or WCOTY – awards also includes separate prizes for the World Car Design of the Year, World Green Car and World Luxury Car, the last a change from the World Performance Car of previous years.

'Defective tyre' prosecutions top 10,000

MORE THAN 170 motorists were convicted every week in 2012 for driving on defective or even dangerous tyres. The figures, obtained by tyre safety charity TyreSafe as part of its efforts to improve awareness during Tyre Safety Month, show that 10,228 drivers were taken to court over their tyres. As rain becomes a more regular fixture for most motorists up and down the country, following an unusually dry summer, tyre tread depth and pressure become even more important.