Blog on 2040Parts

Hennessey Performance boosts McLaren MP4-12C

Hennessey Performance Engineering has a new power package for the McLaren MP4-12C. For $19,500 (plus the base price of the car, obviously) it pushes output to 704 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 88 hp and 96 lb-ft.

Interior Motives Design Awards 2013

Earlier this evening, the world's top designers and automotive journalists gathered together at the Moon13 club in Frankfurt to watch sponsors Ford and Volkswagen reveal the 2013 Interior Motives Student Design of the Year: ‘Audi O Concept' by Nir Siegel, Cherica Haye and Hanchul Lee of London's Royal College of Art. Launched in January of this year and themed ‘The Connected Car', this year's contest attracted hundreds of entries from students spread across every corner of the globe. And at a ceremony hosted by acclaimed designer Chris Bangle earlier today, the following talented young designers realized their dream of winning an award:   Best Ergonomics (Sponsored by Visteon) and Student Design of the Year ‘Audi O Concept' – Nir Siegel, Cherica Haye & Hanchul Lee (Royal College of Art, UK) "The O Concept is not a normal car," claim its creators.

2014 Dacia Duster Facelift revealed in full: Frankfurt 2013

The 2014 Facleift for the Dacia Duster in Europe (*pictured) has been revealed The UK hasn’t had the Dacia Duster for very long, mainly because it was selling so well in Europe Renault couldn’t manage to build right hand drive versions. And it looks like much the same scenario will play out with the Dacia Duster facelift – revealed today in full before Frankfurt – with it rolling out in Europe but with no immediate plans to bring it to the UK. But if you want a LHD, or you’re one of our European readers, then the Duster SUV titivations for 2014 – already previewed by a single photo – offers more glitzy version of the budget SUV, and a new engine.

Audi A3 Cabriolet bows before Frankfurt motor show

The Audi A3 Cabriolet broke cover on Sept. 8, a few days before its media debut at the Frankfurt motor show. It will be joined on the stand by the new Quattro concept and the sporty RS7 sedan.

Mercedes S-Class Coupe teased: Frankfurt 2013 (video)

The new Mercedes S-Class Coupe (pictured) teased ahead of Frankfurt Now we have the new Mercedes S-Class in the wild, the next step is the arrival of its various siblings, including the ultra luxury Pullman version. the convertible S-Class and this, the new Mercedes S-Class Coupe. Designed to replace the current Mercedes CL, the new S-Class Coupe will put a bit bit more distance between the rather staid S-Class saloon and its coupe version this time round, with Mercedes hoping the new Coupe will take the fight properly to cars like the Bentley Continental GT.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse 'Legends' series honors Ettore's son, Jean Bugatti

Gianroberto Carlo Rembrandt Ettore Bugatti was the other Ettore, the eldest of Bugatti's four sons; when he wasn't spreading the full magnificence of his five names, they called him Jean. He was arguably the most talented of Ettore's sons -- as it turns out, none of Ettore's other children invented the Type 57SC Atlantic nor designed as much as he did of the astonishing Royale. He took over Bugatti in 1936, at the tender age of 27 -- and three years later he would be dead, having crashed a Type 57 race car during testing.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

This is the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan, making its world premier at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Put simply, it’s a more practical version of the German firm’s Golf family faithful hatchback, which will replace the Golf Plus in the UK. Please click on the image above to read more on the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan concept…

Infiniti Q30 revealed in full gallery of photos: Frankfurt 2013

The Infiniti Q30 Concept (pictured), full revealed ahead of Frankfurt debut The Infiniti Q30 is Infiniti’s take on the new Mercedes A-Class, and we had a single photo a few weeks ago to show us what to expect. But now Infiniti has released a full gallery of photos ahead of its debut at Frankfurt. Despite the Q30 not planned to lauch until 2015 – when it will be delivered to the world from the UK’s ever-growing car manufacturing sector – the Q30 looks production ready.

To Infiniti and beyond - new Q30 concept revealed for 2013 Frankfurt Show

This is the Infiniti Q30 concept premium hatchback, set to take on BMW’s 1 Series, the Audi A1 and the Mercedes-Benz A-Class in the upmarket family hatchback sector. Unveiled ahead of its official world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, MSN Cars was at the exclusive preview event in Milan. We spoke to head of Infiniti design, Alfonso Albaisa to dig deeper into the inspiration behind the Q30 concept and the future of Infiniti’s road cars.

BMW Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

If a collection of numbers dictated how we ranked and rated a car, the new BMW Alpina D3 might just be the best all-rounder in the world. You’re looking at a discreet and comfortable 3-series that’ll return a claimed 53.2mpg, and scorch to 62mph in just 4.6 seconds, quicker than the outgoing BMW M3. Read on to find out how.

Jaguar C-X17 concept (2013) full details on new aluminium chassis

Jaguar’s C-X17 crossover concept might have show-stopping looks, but it’s what will lie beneath the production crossover – thought to be called QX – that’s just as intriguing: an all-new aluminium platform, dubbed ‘iQ Al’. It’s a clean-sheet design, with double-wishbone suspension up front, and a multi-link axle at the rear. For more unseen location photos and an in-depth feature, pick up the October issue of CAR magazine, out Wednesday 18 September   Jaguar C-X17 crossover concept: the lowdown on the ‘iQ Al’ aluminium platform ‘It had to be a clean-sheet design to reach our goals,’ says Jaguar vehicle line director Kevin Stride.

Audi nanuk off-road supercar concept for Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

Audi has revealed a surprise new concept on the eve of the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show – the Audi nanuk quattro concept, a 544hp V10 TDI-engined crossover supercar. The Audi nanuk quattro concept SUV supercar is a design collaboration with famous Italian styling house Giugiaro and, says Audi, has been created to combine ‘the dynamics of a high-performance sports car with Audi’s quattro expertise on the road, on the race track and also off-road’. Click on the image above to read more about the leftfield Audi nanuk quattro concept supercar surprise…

Porsche 918 Spyder stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Porsche stunned the world when it unveiled the 918 Spyder as a massive surprise at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Finally, three years later, it gets its full production debut at the 2013 Frankfurt IAA Motor Show. Combining a race-spec petrol V8 with twin electric motors, the 918 trades lightweight purity for enormous all-wheel drive performance and astonishingly low fuel consumption.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

This aggressive slice of supercar is the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Squadra Corse – making its debut here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, it could quite possibly be the last current-shape Gallardo variant we’ll ever see. Named after a famous breed of fighting bull (what else?), the Gallardo has been around for a decade now. Tweaks to the chassis, engine and styling over that time have kept it fresh, but could the Squadra Corse be a last hurrah for this Lamborghini?

Jaguar C-X17 concept (2013) design boss Ian Callum on interior design

As with all concept cars, the Jaguar C-X17’s interior is the least production-viable element of the entire design, but it does give vital clues to the direction that design boss Ian Callum and his team are evaluating for the future. The focus is on clean, strong, flowing design, one that shuns clutter for pared-back simplicity. Open the door and you’ll notice both the sense of space and the small F-type steering wheel and four individual bucket seats, the latter two elements suggesting a nimble, involving driving experience.

SEAT Leon ST stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

Regular readers of MSN Cars will know that we're big fans of the new SEAT Leon.  So we're just a little bit excited about the new SEAT Leon ST that's making its world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. And given how highly we rate the 5-door hatchback, we have every reason to believe that Ford, Vauxhall and even Volkswagen should be worried about the arrival of the Leon estate...

Jaguar C-X17 concept (2013) Jag 4x4 at Frankfurt motor show

Here it is then: Jaguar’s brave new future, the C-X17 crossover concept car, unveiled of the eve of the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Officially, it’s nothing more than a Frankfurt-bound design study to show off the talent of Jaguar’s new ‘iQ Al’ modular aluminium platform. But with the luxury crossover market in overdrive and armed with a contender that looks this sharp, you can bet this is far more than a statement of intent...

Porsche 918 Spyder (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the new Porsche 918 Spyder, and it’s just been unveiled on the eve of the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. The Porsche 918 Spyder is the successor to the legendary Carrera GT, uses a race-derived engine, hits 62mph in 2.8 seconds, and will reach 214mph. But the Porsche 918 Spyder is also very different to the Carrera GT, because it’s a hybrid and promises Toyota Prius-like levels of parsimony.

Skoda Rapid Spaceback stars at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Rapid Spaceback - it sounds like the kind of name you'd give to the world's fastest car. Or some kind of spaceship. But no, the Rapid Spaceback is the latest offering from Skoda and it's making its debut right here at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Audi A3 Cabriolet uncovered at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

The covers have been pulled off the all-new Audi A3 Cabriolet at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, prior to UK deliveries beginning in March 2014. The new A3 Cabriolet becomes the fourth version of the new A3 range to go on sale – and Audi has announced a surprise here in Frankfurt, by revealing a hot 300hp S3 Cabriolet variant will be joining the range.

Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept previews 2014 Golf Plus

The Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan Concept (pictured) previews the 2014 Golf Plus VW are calling the Golf Sportsvan a concept, but it’s pretty much what we’ll see in the new VW Golf Plus when it arrives in mid-2014. Just like the other new Golfs, the Sportsvan uses the new MQB platform but grows in size. It’s 134mm longer than the Golf Plus and 83mm longer than the new Golf and has a wheelbase longer by 43mm to offer more space inside.

New 2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet revealed ahead of Frankfurt

The new 2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet (pictured) arrives in the UK next spring. The new Audi A3 Cabriolet has been revealed, and it’s bigger, lighter and better looking than before. Based on the underpinnings of the new A3 Saloon, rather than the A3 hatch as before, means the new A3 Cabriolet has better proportions, a bigger boot, more room and yet weighs in at around 50kg less than the old model.

Italian Grand Prix (2013) RESULT

Italian Grand Prix (2013) RESULT Qualifying for the 2013 Italian Grand Prix at Monza left Red Bull at the front and the home boys, Ferrari, in fourth and fifth, with a miserable Hamilton in the Mercedes down in twelfth. Which augered well for a strong finish for Red Bull and a battle for Alonso to get on the podium and Hamilton to even finish in the points. And that’s exactly what the race gave us.

VW Golf Sportsvan concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the VW Golf Sportsvan, but don’t get too comfortable with that name, because the successor to the Golf Plus won’t use the Sportsvan badge when it goes on UK sale in mid-2014. Good thing too: what exactly is sporty about a minivan? Is the VW Golf Sportsvan essentially the new Golf Plus?

Audi A3 Cabriolet (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Completing the quadruple A3 bodystyle line-up is this new drop-top: the Audi A3 Cabriolet. The new soft-top is bigger yet lighter than the old convertible A3, and has morphed into a more resolved silhouette courtesy of its booted rear instead of the old version’s chopped hatch profile. Plus, for the first time ever, an S3 Cabriolet is set to join the range, offering a 155mph breeze in your hair, and 0-62mph in around 5.0sec.

Jaguar SUV/Crossover leak: Now it’s a GALLERY of photos including interior

Jaguar SUV/Crossover (pictured) Now we have a full set of photos It may be Sunday, but the interwebs never sleep. Much to Jaguar’s regret. With the new Jaguar SUV Concept (although we must remember to call it a Crossover) not due to arrive officially for a few more days, we’ve already had an official tease, a leak of the front of the Jaguar SUV and the front three quarter shot of the C-X17.

Jaguar SUV / Crossover – new photo ahead of reveal

The second photo of the new Jaguar Crossover Jaguar started teasing their new Crossover - codenamed C-X17 – just last week, but we’ve already had the first leaked photo of the new SUV from Jaguar. That photo was just a full on front shot which told us not much more than that the new crossover stands taller than any other Jaguar and comes with a familiar – if slightly more butch – take on Jaguar’s family nose. But now we get a second photo of the new SUV ahead of its debut at Frankfurt next week (which turned up on ImageShack), and this time it’s a front three quarters profile showing us much more clearly what the new Jaguar has to offer.

Honda prices 2014 Ridgeline, Pilot and Acura TL

Honda revealed pricing and equipment on several models on Sept. 5. The 2014 Acura TL will start at $36,925 including destination.

Audi Space Frame comes full circle at Frankfurt motor show

Audi is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ASF, or the Audi Space Frame. After all, it was at the 1993 Frankfurt motor show that Audi wowed the world with the innovative all-aluminum Audi A8 prototype. And now, 20 years later, more than 750,000 cars have been built using this technology.

'Snake & Mongoose' movie review

There's another great motorsports rivalry being celebrated cinematically this month -- while "Rush" grabs all the global headlines, the drag racing biopic "Snake & Mongoose" has all the same elements that drove Lauda and Hunt -- minus the world stage. Hard to believe, but professional drag racing wasn't always a glamorous, high-budget affair with corporate hospitality suites and top drivers flying to races in private jets. "Snake & Mongoose" takes us back to an era when drivers needed that $500 win money to buy gas to get to the next race -- and held grudges against track owners who only paid $400.