Blog on 2040Parts

2014 Ford F-150 STX now offers SuperCrew and all-new STX Sport Package

Ford has just made the SuperCrew bodystyle more affordable for buyers of the popular F-150 truck, with bodystyle now available on the base STX trim level for 2014. Previously, buyers had to select the XLT trim level to get the four-door versatility of the SuperCrew. The 2014 F-150 lineup will also offer an STX Sport Package.

Detroit Electric moves production to Holland

Detroit Electric is going ahead with production of its Lotus-based sports car in the lovely Detroit suburb of…Holland. Unfortunately it's not the coastal city in the western part of Michigan, but the one in northern Europe. The facility will begin production in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Detroit News.

Concept Car of the Week: Mercedes-Benz C111, C111-II and C111-IID

In 1962, Mercedes-Benz launched a research program to investigate the development of the Wankel rotary engine and its potential both on the road and track. While the early mule wasn't a looker, the prototype's design continued to evolve until a public unveiling of the C111-I concept, designed by Bruno Sacco, at the 1969 Frankfurt motor show. The coupé may have looked like the systematic further development of the Sport Light models from the ‘50s with its gullwing doors, but it wasn't a design study for a new SL.

Who's Where: Richard Ferlazzo appointed GM Australia design director

Richard Ferlazzo has been appointed General Motors Australia design director. Taking up the position from 1 September, he will report directly to executive director international operations design Michael Simcoe and also GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux. Ferlazzo will be responsible for Advanced, Production and Global Contract programs and replaces Andrew Smith who left Holden this month to take up the position of executive director of global Cadillac and Buick design at GM's technical center in Warren, Michigan.

First Sight: Volvo Concept Coupé

It's clear talking to the team responsible for the Volvo Concept Coupé this isn't just 'another concept car'; it's a manifesto for where the sole remaining Scandinavian car brand is heading. It marks a new dawn for the company by introducing a new platform, range of engines and design language devised by Thomas Ingenlath. Car Design News traveled to Volvo's design studio in Gothenburg to see the car and speak to the team behind it ahead of its official unveiling in Frankfurt.

Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport gets a tweak for 2014

The Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport (pictured) gets tweaked for 2014 If you want a swift and able car that costs under £30k, then the Vauxhall Insignia VXR SuperSport, as a hatch or Sports Tourer (estate) should be a car to consider. An now it’s had a tweak for 2014 to make it a bit more appealing in line with the tweaks to the rest of the Insignia range. The changes aren’t really enough to call this a facelift for the SuperSport, but despite the very minor cosmetic tweaks the changes under the skin are worthy of note.

McLaren P1 almost sold out

The McLaren P1 (pictured) is almost sold out The last time McLaren decided to build a supercar to beat all supercars was with the McLaren F1 but, despite it’s huge ability and now iconic status – and huge value – they had to give up making it after just 64 cars as they couldn’t find buyers. Fortunately – for McLaren are a bit stretched non all fronts at the moment – it seems that history isn’t repeating itself with the new McLaren P1 as reports today suggest the P1 is all but sold out. Autocar are reporting there are just a handful of the 375 P1s left to sell, with the P1 allocation for America, the Middle East and Asia already sold out and just a handful of cars left for Europe and other parts of the world.

2014 Nissan Maxima priced at $31,810

The 2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5 S goes on sale this week and costs $31,810, including destination. The upgraded Maxima 3.5 SV now costs $34,900. The S model keeps the same price as 2013, while the SV goes up about $800.

Arizona Biltmore Concours d'Elegance planned for Jan. 12

Work is underway to hold a Concours d'Elegance at the Arizona Biltmore on Sunday, Jan. 12 -- the Sunday preceding the classic-car auctions in Scottsdale. The date makes a lot of sense.

BMW X5 M50d (2013) first pictures of the new super-diesel SUV

BMW has created the first high-performance version of its new X5 SUV: the X5 M50d. It’s a triple-turbocharged, six-cylinder diesel-powered model good for 42mpg, apparently. Until the new V8 X5 M sends purist enthusiasts into a froth-mouthed frenzy, this circa-£65k leviathan is the most powerful, fastest X5 you can buy.

New high-performance BMW X5 M50d diesel in pictures

BMW has released pictures and details of the new X5 M50d, a 381hp super-diesel SUV with the world’s most powerful straight-six diesel engine. It will join the new, third-generation X5 range, which is set to go on sale in the UK this November with prices starting at £42,590. The engine carries over from the previous X5 M50d, but the 2013 version is both quicker and more fuel-efficient.

Nissan LEAF to be joined by four more electric Nissans

The Nissan LEAF (pictured) will be joined by 4 more electric Nissans The Nissan LEAF may be the most successful electric car in the world, but the numbers Nissan manages to sell are still tiny. But in a clear indication that Nissan still believes there’s a future for the electric car as a replacement for the ICE car, they’ve revealed they have plans for four further EV models. Three of those models are already clear; an Infiniti with the electric drivetrain from the LEAF, an electric version of the NV200 van and the LEAF itself.

Watch a Volvo find its own parking spot

Cars that can navigate into a preselected parking spot have been around for a few years now, and they've proven that under the right conditions they can pull it off successfully most of the time. But what about a car that finds its own parking spot just after you step out? Volvo is about to show a car that can do just that, and it manages this feat without an array of sensors on the roof that make the car look like a military aircraft.

One lap of the Web: A drive with Magnus and drifting an Jag XJ220

Unkempt Porsche trend-maker Magnus Walker's brand of customized 911 has the world buzzing. If the magazine covers and documentaries aren't enough, consider that one of his builds just sold for $302,000 at Gooding's Monterey Sale -- against a high estimate of $150,000. Pretty steep for a customized 911.

Honda's future tech aims to mitigate pedestrian collisions

Honda showed off some of its smart future technology on Aug. 28 in Detroit. The company is hoping to reduce accidents between motorcycles and cars, and pedestrians and cars.

2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray configurator goes live

The 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray build-your-own tool is online, where you can spec out the newest “America's favorite sports car” in any way you like. The base price of the 455-hp Corvette still surprises and delights us at $51,995, not including destination. The top model—3LT with the Z51 package—comes in at $62,800.

Kia Niro concept

Kia's Niro concept, which debuts at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show, will hint at a possible B-segment model. Designed at Kia's Frankfurt design studio under the direction of chief designer Europe Gregory Guillaume, Kia says the Niro will feature "intriguing elements not always associated with smaller cars" as well as a mix of contrasting materials. Although full details haven't been released, the pictures show the Niro features triangular headlamps along with Kia's signature ‘tiger nose' grill design and muscular wheelarches.

Kia Niro Frankfurt concept is a Rio on HGH

Kia is muscling up for the Frankfurt auto show next month with the Niro concept. The Korean brand says the vehicle hints at a possible future B-segment contender. The Niro looks like a Rio on steroids.

98% fear UK road safety not improving

Research conducted for the latest issue of the Auto Trader Owner’s Guide suggests that a staggering 98% of British motorists fear that the government is failing to improve safety on UK roads. Of the 3,000 drivers surveyed for the quarterly publication, 77% also want theory and practical driving skills to be taught in schools, while 60% are convinced the coming fixed penalty fines for careless driving will do nothing to benefit safety. Find out how much a used car costs on Auto Trader On Bing: see pictures of safe cars Going further, 81% felt the ever increasing rise of in-car gadgetry, including the ability to make hands-free phone calls and check social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, represents a “hazardous distraction” to drivers.

Kia Niro Concept points to a Kia Nissan Juke rival

The Kia Niro Concept (pictured) debuts at Frankfurt as a pointer to a new compact SUV Earlier this month we had a teaser from Kia for a new compact urban SUV heading for a debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and here its is – the Kia Niro Concept. Kia has obviously been careful with its concept naming this time after the storm in a teacup response to the Kia Provo last year, with a name that shouts ‘Famous Actor’ rather than ‘Famous Terrorist’. Sensible move.

GM's Ed Welburn walks Jay Leno through the Elmiraj concept's design [w/Video]

General Motors' vice president Global Design Ed Welburn stars in the latest of the 'Jay Leno's Garage' YouTube series, running the talk-show host through some of the new Cadillac Elmiraj concept's design features and what it means for the brand's future. We get a look at all the classic Cadillac design cues such as the vertical headlamps and tail lamps as well as the central hard crease that Welburn says is "important in every Cadillac". Leno and Welburn then move onto the Elmiraj's features, such as the large doors' integrated handles and the slimmer A-pillars before a more in-depth look at one of the concept's most striking features – the grille.

Ford reveals S-Max concept ahead of 2013 Frankfurt motor show

Here's another one that'll probably go straight into the “not bound for United States shores” file: the Ford S-Max concept, which will make its grand debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show. Ford says the S-Max previews a “future sport activity vehicle,” which may, in fact, be contemporary PR-speak for “mini-minivan.” Look beyond the carbon-fiber interior detailing (and add some door handles) and you'll see a vehicle that looks more or less production-ready. The S-Max concept isn't too wildly sculpted, sharing styling cues with current Fords (including the Fiesta, Escape/Kuga, C-Max and Fusion/Mondeo) -- from the creases on the hood to the high, hexagonal grille to the stainless steel trim surrounding the greenhouse.

John Entwistle’s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow ESTATE up for grabs

John Entwistle’s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Shooting Brake (pictured) up for sale Rolls Royce has never made an estate car – or Shooting Brake, as posh estates (and modern wannabes) tend to be badged – but that hasn’t stopped well-heeled owners from Maharajahs to rock stars turning Rolls Royces in to hunting and shooting transport for almost a hundred years. Taking the finest creations of Rolls and turning them in to a bespoke shooting brake is not a cheap hobby, but if you fancy a bit of gentrified rock ‘n’ roll history, Bonham’s have got The Ox’s (that’s John Entwistle, the Who bassist, for the younger readers) customised Silver Shadow Shooting Brake up for grabs. The Ox had the Rolls turned in to a Shooting Brake by an unknown coachbuilders back in the 1980s to carry his Irish Wolfhounds, and when he died as a result of a bit to much nose candy his Rolls Royce Shooting Brake was bought by the current owner from Entwistle’s wife.

Volvo to launch new F1-inspired engine range

Volvo has revealed an all-new super-efficient range of engines called DRIVE-E. When launched later this year, the new motors will become some of the most high-tech engines on sale. Uniquely, the new engine range is based around just two basic four-cylinder designs – one direct-injection petrol engine and one common rail turbodiesel.

Millions lie to cut car insurance costs

New research suggests that up to 2.4 million British motorists may be at risk of invalidating their car insurance because they’re not being accurate about the information they provide. Mystery shopping and market research specialist Consumer Intelligence carried out the study, which reveals that one in 12 of us essentially admits to lying to our car insurance companies in an effort to try and save money. Common car insurance myths busted The £1.2m insurance quote: driver quoted £104K a month for old Vauxhall Corsa Although one in five said they made a mistake or did not know the reason, 60% of those queried about their misleading actions said they did so in a blatant attempt to get a lower premium.

Kia Niro concept (2013) first official pictures

Kia’s radical new concept car is the Niro crossover, complete with butterfly doors, two-tone tyres and a Blake 7 cockpit in the best show car tradition. Look past the design flourishes, though, and you’ll see this is a statement of intent for Kia’s next niche car: a supermini-sized crossover to fight the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, and Vauxhall Mokka. Kia Niro: what’s in a name?

Volvo Concept Coupe (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

The Swedes have done emotional coupes before – like the C70 and the legendary P1800 – but the Volvo Concept Coupe is the first from its new designer, Thomas Ingenlath. Recruited from VW, Ingenlath says that the concept, which is underpinned by the new SPA platform (which stands for Scalable Platform Architecture) that will be used on the 2014 XC90, is both a nod to the past and a signal of intent for the future. You’ll be able to see it at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Frankfurt motor show 2013: CAR’s A-Z guide

The 65th Frankfurt motor show kicks off on 10 September 2013. The event features 1000 exhibitors and is set to attract around 1 million visitors during its fortnight in the spotlight. This is CAR Online’s handy A-Z guide to the 2013 Frankfurt show, rounding up all the important new cars expected at the event, with links to our complete coverage on every vehicle that matters.

Sleek new Volvo Concept Coupe previews ahead of Frankfurt 2013

Volvo’s brave new future starts here. In the metal (and aluminium) it’s embodied by this Concept Coupe, a 2+2 grand tourer that evokes the spirit of the classic 1960s P1800. Prepared for this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show the Concept Coupe shows how all future Volvos will look, starting with the XC90 in 12 months’ time.

Flip-flops most dangerous shoe to drive in

Driving in flip-flops is more dangerous than heels, with the flimsy footwear responsible for an estimated 1.4 million car crashes or near misses per year. A study commissioned by car insurance company Sheilas’ Wheels found that one third of motorists wear the not so supportive shoe behind the wheel, topping a poll of the top five summer footwear Brits struggle to drive in. 98% fear UK road safety not improving Find a used car on Auto Trader As many as 51% of drivers surveyed admitted struggling to drive in flip-flops, while 49% said they’d found it difficult to drive in bare feet.