Blog on 2040Parts

Concept Car of the Week: Volvo Tundra (1979)

With Volvo beginning a new chapter in its design history with the Concept Coupé, it's interesting to look back at another Volvo coupé concept from 1979 – the Tundra. At the time, the Swedish manufacturer built large and relatively pricey cars that were neither really luxurious nor real 'people cars'. The 340 series began the brand's expansion towards more affordable models and proved to be very successful worldwide.

McLaren P1: New photos & video of production P1

The McLaren P1 production car pictured hot weather testing We’ve had a surprising amount of McLaren P1 news in the last couple of weeks, with a claimed lap time at the Nurburgring that didn’t quite meet expectation, P1 customer Jay Leno getting to grips with the P1 at the Top Gear track  and the news that the P1 is all but sold out. Now, with the first P1s getting close to delivery (McLaren are about to start building customer cars at the rate of one a day), McLaren has released photos and video from their final stint of hot weather testing in the US, with a completely undisguised, production version P1. McLaren have been in the west of the US, where temperatures reach 52 degrees, putting the P1 through its paces in extreme heat in California, Nevada and Arizona, both on the road and at the Willow Springs International Raceway in California, just to be sure it doesn’t melt in the sun.

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.

Brabus tunes Mercedes S-class for Frankfurt motor show

German tuner Brabus is working its magic on the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-class for the Frankfurt motor show, the Brabus 850 6.0 Biturbo iBusiness. The clumsily named sedan comes with an iPad mini that can control all COMAND functions from the back seat. Of course, Brabus wouldn't be here without adding gobs of power to the normally staid S-class.

Renault Megane gets a bit of a facelift for 2014

The Renault Megane range (pictured) gets a bit of a facelift for 2014 The Renault Megane has been given a facelift for 2014, but it’s not exactly a major overhaul. All the Megane models – Hatchback, Coupe and Sports Tourer – now gets the new family front bumper with its extended air vent, much like the bumper on the new Renault Clio. The bonnet also gets a tweak with a new Renault badge, there’s a new set of elliptical headlights and some new daytime running lights. There are specific changes for the GT and RS models too, with ‘GT’ or ‘RS’ added to the new Renault logo on the bonnet.

The fall and rise of the budget car

Twenty years ago, the classic bargain brands like Lada seemed to be going the same way as the Soviet empire that spawned them. Woefully dated and badly made, only a weirdo would have bought a new Lada rather than a second-hand model from Ford, Vauxhall or VW. However, one of the big trends in the car industry today is the re-emergence of bargain cars.

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 RS7 & Audi RS Q3 SUV: UK Prices

The Audi RS7 Sportback & Audi RS Q3 (pictured) get priced. We’ve had the reveal of two new Audi RS cars in 2013, with the Audi RS7 Sportback bowing in at the Detroit Motor Show and the Audi RS Q3 arriving at Geneva. That will take the total number of RS Audis available in the UK to eight when the two new RS models arrive in early 2014, and now Audi has decided how much you’re going to have to pay.

Unique Infiniti Q50 sedans designed by Thom Browne and Zac Posen

Infiniti has teamed up with gilt.com to create two unique Q50 sedans designed by fashion gurus Thom Browne and Zac Posen. These one-of-a-kind sedans will be sold later this year on Gilt, but what are these two sedans all about? The Infiniti Q50 is all new for 2014, and even though the interior of this luxury sedan is not exactly short on style, designers Browne and Posen have lent their expert abilities in creating these unique sedans.

Toyota to showcase Yaris Hybrid-R concept at Frankfurt auto show

Toyota is going high performance for the Frankfurt motor show. The company is bringing a smoking-hot version of its Yaris compact called the Yaris Hybrid-R. Toyota says it combines the technology of its hybrids and the engineering of its racing prototype, the TS030.

Smart Fourjoy concept revealed ahead of Frankfurt motor show

Smart will preview its upcoming second-generation Forfour at next week's Frankfurt motor show when it shows the Fourjoy, the latest concept from the Mercedes-Benz owned city car brand. Pictured here for the first time, the new four-seater follows the earlier Forus and Forstars concepts, providing clues to next year's Forfour, developed with Renault. The French automaker will offer its own version of the new car as a replacement for the Twingo.

Smart FourJoy concept

The Smart FourJoy concept will preview next year's all-new four-seat model at the Frankfurt motor show. Unlike the ForFour (2004-06) that paid only lip service to the brand's iconic city car, this promises to be a true Smart, with the familiar Tridon safety shell, minimal overhangs and plastic panels. At 3,494mm long it's around a meter longer than the original two-seat version but still significantly shorter than a Mini.

One lap of the Web: Jaguar restomods and the Taj Ma Garaj

This 1963 Jaguar E-Type restomod is on sale from Stratford, Conn. for $89,000. It features a custom built 4.2-liter I6 making more than 300 hp with a handful of internal upgrades.

Citroën Cactus concept

Citroën has revealed its new Cactus concept, designed to preview the future of the carmaker's C-line. The Cactus concept is the result of a program that began with the debut of the C-Cactus concept at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show. The C-Cactus was designed to find out what motorists expect from cars and which equipment and features are considered the most important.

Nissan's senior manager color and design strategy Francois Farion on the importance of objects in keeping focus [w/Video]

Nissan's Francois Farion, senior manager, color and design strategy, features in a new video giving an insight into how important objects are to designers when communicating, defining and maintaining their design intentions. A lot of time and energy goes into designing a car and so, Farion says, it's vital that designers keep their focus throughout the process. He believes objects are the key to creating coherent designs.

Maserati Levante SUV won't be imported from Detroit after all

For years, we've been hearing that the upcoming Maserati Levante SUV -- which debuted as the Maserati Kubang -- would be built at Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The prospect of a high-dollar luxury crossover coming out of the gritty Motor City was intriguing, but the scheme made a certain sense -- the Levante is built on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Unfortunately, it's not gonna happen.

Citroen Cactus Concept revealed

The Citroen Cactus Concept (pictured) has been revealed When the Citroen Cactus Concept was teased a week or so ago, we reckoned it looked like the first look at a simpler ‘C’ range of cars from Citroen with a touch of the urban warrior thrown in. And that seems to be exactly what it is. At 4210mm long, the Citroen Cactus is a bit shorter than the C4, but gets a rufty-tufty stance and looks like a crossover made for the urban jungle.

2014 Range Rover & Range Rover Sport updates – includes 4.4 V8 Diesel for Range Rover Sport

The 2014 Range Rover gets a Black Design Pack (pictured) The new Range Rover has only been with us for five minutes (well, a year), but that’s not going to stop Land Rover from throwing in a few tweaks for 2014. Perhaps top of the list is the new model Range Rover – the Range Rover Hybrid - which is currently busy driving down the Silk Trail to India and promises the same sort of performance as the TDV8 but with economy that betters the 3.0 litre TDV6. The hybrid version of the Range Rover will also be joined by a hybrid version of the new Range Rover Sport, with 44.1mpg and emissions of 169g/km making the Range Rover and Sport a more appealing BIK option.

Citroen Cactus concept (2013) first pictures of Frankfurt crossover

Citroen is planning a new crossover model that’ll launch in early 2014. The Citroen C4 Cactus joins the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage in battling the all-conquering Nissan Qashqai soft-roader. The Cactus Concept is the dressed up preview of the production model, which goes on sale in early 2014.

Ford EcoSport Limited Edition arrives – just 120 for the UK from £16,995

Ford EcoSport Limited Edition (pictured) has been revealed The Ford EcoSport – Ford’s Fiesta based SUV/Crossover – will be arriving in Ford’s UK showrooms in 2014 and to kick things off there will be 500 EcoSport Limited Edition cars. Ford revealed the Limited Edition on their Facebook page, and just 120 of the Limited Editions are heading to the UK, and to grab a reservation for one you’ll need to head over to Ford’s EcoSport page to get a reservation before completing the deal at one of Ford’s dealers. The Limited Edition will come with Ford SYNC Applink system – which lets you control Apps with voice – leather trim, a set of 17″ alloys and, as Ford say, “Ann array of advanced technologies”.

Citroen Cactus concept car (2013): the first bubble-wrap, bump-free car

French car firm Citroen has enjoyed some success with its range of upmarket DS models – but now it’s turning its attention to the bread-and-butter C-line cars. And the new 2013 Citroen Cactus concept car is the first look at what’s in store for the mainstream Citroen car range. The Citroen Cactus immediately stands out from the crowd of same-again European crossovers because of its novel Airbump system: think of protective bubble-wrap on the doors and bumpers to protect them from scrapes and dings in car parks and you’re not far from the truth.

Smart Fourjoy concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Nauseating name aside, the Smart Fourjoy concept isn’t just a spot of fun from Daimler’s city car arm: it’s actually a preview of the new Smart Forfour supermini, which will go on sale in 2014. This latest concept car follows on from the ForUs and Forstars concepts first show in 2012. Why doesn’t the Smart Fourjoy (cringe) have any doors?

Luxury Ford Mondeo Vignale concept revealed

Would you buy a posh Mondeo? Ford is betting that some people will, as next year sees the Blue Oval introduce a new Vignale trim level and equipment package that offers not just more style and luxury for your money but also an exclusive, premium customer and ownership experience. As a precursor to this move, Ford has today unveiled a pair of Mondeo Vignale Concept cars, one based on the next-generation Mondeo saloon, the other on the estate.

Mazda 6 estate (2012) first official pictures

Just a fortnight after the new Mazda 6 saloon was revealed at the 2012 Moscow motor show, the estate version of the 6 is headed for its own spot in the limelight at the Paris show later this month. Powered by the same range of engines as the saloon, and underpinned by Mazda's fuel-supping 'SkyActiv' architecture, it'll reach UK shores before the end of 2012. Mazda 6 estate: the engine details The Mazda 6 has always been a fleet market favourite, and as such the most important engine will be the diesel.

Dinamica's microfiber range showcases the latest color, design and material innovations

Dinamica Established 1997 Number of employees 50 (five designers) Global headquarters Gorizia, Italy Contact b.terraneo@dinamicamiko.it Website www.dinamicamiko.com "We are a young, dynamic company and have increased our automotive activities significantly over the last five years," says marketing manager Benedetta Terraneo. "We started off in the US, but now also collaborate with the biggest OEMs in Europe, Brazil, Asia and Australia, working with their designers to create new automotive applications for our Dinamica microfiber range." Each year, the company creates an automotive collection to showcase the latest color, design and material innovations. The 2013 collection – called ‘Essence' – launched in May, and focused on inspiring new possibilities for automotive interior trimming through the use of five natural elements.

Audi Sport quattro Concept

Celebrating 30 years of the Sport Quattro, Audi has revealed its spiritual successor ahead of its debut at next week's Frankfurt motor show. The broad concept – which measures in at 4,602mm long, 1,964mm wide, 1,386mm high sitting on a wheelbase of 2,784mm – features a number of the same design cues we saw on the 2010 quattro concept, the 1983 Sport quattro and the original Ur-quattro. These include the angular, flat C-pillars and the rectangular headlamps and rear lamps.

Ford Mondeo Vignale revealed – it’s back to the days of Ford Ghia

The Ford Mondeo Vignale (picture) has been revealed as Ford’s new range-topper Mainstream car makers have always tried to add some glitz and gloss to their models by tagging on a badge they thought made their cars more exclusive. Like Ford with endless ‘Ghia’ models sitting at the top of the Ford range after they bought Ghia of Turin in 1970. Ford continued to use the Ghia badge to mark out its best-equipped models until very recently (you could still buy a Fiesta Ghia as recently as 2008) but they finally dropped the badge and moved their top of the tree badge over to the ‘Titanium’ moniker.

Audi Sport Quattro concept to wow Frankfurt Motor Show 2013

Audi will reveal a stunning Sport Quattro concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2013 – the spiritual successor to the brilliant 1980s Audi Sport Quattro. With a 700hp V8 hybrid drivetrain capable of 189mph AND 113mpg, it really is a legend reborn for modern times. Audi is debuting the Sport Quattro concept in Frankfurt 30 years after the original Sport Quattro was shown at the very same show.

Ford resurrects Vignale name in an attempt to add premiumness to mainstream models

Ford is resurrecting the name of renowned Italian design house Vignale in an attempt to bring its mainstream models up market in Europe. Of course this isn't Ford's first experience of using a defunct carrozzeria for its range-topping models – remember Ghia? The first of these new models will be the Mondeo, which will appear with Vignale badging, lashings of chrome and quilted leather in Frankfurt next week.

Lexus LF-NX concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

This is the Lexus LF-NX concept SUV. It’s a BMW X3-sized crossover that’ll sport hybrid power and entice would-be Lexus buyers who don’t need a car as big as the RX hybrid SUV. That is, if the crazy styling doesn’t put them off, because this is certainly one of the more polarising concept designs we’ve seen in recent times.