Blog on 2040Parts

Ford Fiesta eWheelDrive gets wheel hub electric motors

The Ford Fiesta eWheelDrive – a driveable research vehicle built by Ford and German specialists Schaeffler – may be a regular supermini in size, but it points towards a potential future EV which is much more compact and very manoeuvrable. Ford has taken a regular Fiesta and dumped its powertrain, replacing it with a battery bank where the engine would be and fitted a pair of in-hub electric motors on the rear wheels. But the plan is to build new cars with the batteries under the floor which frees up the space under the bonnet which can then be all but removed to create a very compact urban car that still has space for four.

Tesla Model S outselling Chevrolet Volt & Nissan LEAF

Tesla never managed to make any money out of their electric Lotus – the Tesla Roadster – but it does look like they’re on to a winner with their electric  executive saloon, the Tesla Model S. Despite moans that the headline-grabbing sub-$50k Model S was never a reality – and a starting point of $70k – the Model S looks set to outsell the two most successful ‘alternatively fuelled’ cars – the electric Nissan LEAF and the range extender Chevrolet Volt – in the first quarter of 2013. Sales of the electric Nissan LEAF, which costs from $29k in the US, in the first quarter of 2013 were 3,965 units and the Chevrolet Volt, which costs from $40k, sold 4,421 units.

One lap of the Web: The birth of the supercar, an #EpicFail and Ferrari 250 GT eye candy

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. -- The 1970s: An era of hippies, disco, space exploration and, most notably to us, the supercar.

Detroit Electric, Geely to develop fleet EVs for China

Geely Automobile Group and startup electric automaker Detroit Electric Inc. have agreed to develop electric vehicles and electric drivetrains for sale in China. Under the deal, the first EV will be a modified version of Geely's Emgrand EC7, which will go on sale early next year.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray pricing announced

The running line regarding 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray pricing has been vague. It usually goes something like: If you can afford today's car, you will be able to afford the C7. That was proved true Friday, when Chevy said the latest generation of the iconic sports car will start at $51,995, including destination charges.

Bob Bondurant at 80

Last fall, as we waited for our turn to partake in a braking drill at Bob Bondurant's driving school in Arizona, a black Cadillac CTS-V coupe came screaming out of the facility's parking area and onto the tarmac where we sat. The driver hustled the big two-door around a tight autocross course at a startling pace, though he likely would have been faster had he avoided some of the smoky, sideways stuff. Our instructor, Johnny O'Connell, grinned, “I guess it's good to be the boss.” Bondurant -- who turns 80 on Saturday -- started racing an Indian motorcycle as a teenager.

Autoweek in review: Shanghai auto show, Fisker woes and Corvette Stingray pricing

The Shanghai auto show and keeping tabs on Fisker Automotive’s drama kept the Autoweek Web team busy this week. Monday, we focused our coverage on China. Significant reveals included the Icona Vulcano, Ford Escort and Buick Riviera.

Concept Car of the Week: Seat Tango (2001)

At the dawn of the millennium, there was no better ways for Seat to communicate its new philosophy "Auto Emocion" than in the shape of a pretty little spider. This new slogan, which suggests fun and excitement with a dash of explosive Latin character, would define the essence of what a Spanish car should be. When Walter de'Silva left Alfa Romeo to lead Seat design in 1999, the Spanish brand was going through difficult times.

Car companies, community & a cause

Last Saturday night (April 20) was one of those I-can't believe-I-get-paid-to-do-this kind of evenings. My wife Maria and I -- along with 550 of our closest friends -- were invited to attend the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's 31st annual dinner. The name sort of says it all, and the dinner is a simple enough concept that even I get it: It's held to raise money.

McLaren denies Ron Dennis demotion rumors

McLaren has denied reports that boss Ron Dennis is being demoted in the wake of the automotive division he heads losing money. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport broke the news this week that Dennis could be demoted. He is known for shaping McLaren into a motorsports powerhouse, and has spearheaded its automotive division since 2009.

Musk improves Tesla Model S and battery service

Tesla is making changes to the Model S sedan's battery warranty and service contract. Company CEO Elon Musk detailed the changes to reporters on Friday via a conference call and Web press conference. First, the company is building a fleet of top-of-the-line Model S loaners for their customers.

Fiat 500XL spied undisguised – it’s not a looker

The Fiat 500 range has already expanded from the very successful recreation of the original 500 in to something bigger and more family friendly with the 500L, and now we have the joy of an even bigger version on the way – the Fiat 500XL. The 500L managed to lose almost all of the chic retro appeal the 500 managed so convincingly, and it looks like the 500XL goes a step further, with looks that only its mother could love. Grafting an extra 200mm on the back of the 500L perhaps seems like a good idea, but the execution doesn’t sit well.

Volvo Flywheel KERS Hybrid cuts fuel consumption by 25%

Two years ago we reported that Volvo were testing a clever hybrid Flywheel KERS system for road cars and hoped it would prove to be a good way to make road cars more economical. And it seems it does. The Hybrid Flywheel KERS system Volvo has developed weighs only 6kg, has a diameter of just 20cm, is made of carbon fibre, sits in a vacuum and is located on the back axle and works by recovering energy under braking which is then stored for use when the car moves off.

Hyundai Suicide ‘Advert’ causes a rumpus

It’s not easy advertising your wares and finding the right balance between mainstream and innovative to capture attention, as Hyundai has found out to their cost with an ‘advert’ for the hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV which, rather distastefully, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cabin before realising he can’t achieve his aim as the FCEV’s only emissions are water. It’s a proper cock-up from Hyundai – usually so sure-footed with their PR – but, despite Hyundai US putting the blame at the door of Hyundai UK, there’s more to this suicide ‘advert’ than meets the eye. It seems the suicide video was put together by Innocean – a European Ad Agency owned by Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo and his daughter, and responsible for much of Hyundai’s marketing output – and was a clumsy attempt to gauge reaction to the somewhat macabre take on the benefits of an FCEV.

Range Rover Sport 2014 Product Video arrives

Just yesterday we had the first official confirmation from Land Rover of prices and specs for the new Range Rover Sport (although we actually published them some time ago) and Land Rover has now released a new product film of the RRS – a glorified video commercial, if you like. But unlike the RRS videos we had when the Sport first appeared, this video is much slicker and does manage to convey much better what the new Sport has on offer. From an opening showing design sketches of the new Sport, we get the Sport driving on a banked track, on deserted B-roads and off-road too.

Renault Twizy gets the Formula One treatment

Renault has applied the state-of-the-art kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) used in its Formula One drivelines to the pint-sized Twizy electric car. The result? A new zero-emission concept whose claimed 0-62-mph acceleration time matches that of the French carmaker's fastest production car, the RenaultSport Megane 265, at 6.0 seconds.

Fisker, Energy Department face tough Congressional hearing on federal loans

Struggling Fisker Automotive took a bludgeoning Wednesday on Capitol Hill from top congressional Republicans who compared Fisker to failed automotive startups of the past and lambasted the Department of Energy for allowing the electric-car producer to draw down nearly $200 million in taxpayer-funded loans. House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif., told Fisker founder Henrik Fisker that he will be remembered fondly for his design work for BMW and Aston Martin. But he compared Fisker to Malcolm Bricklin, John DeLorean and Preston Tucker -- three entrepreneurs known for their failed startup car companies.

Renault Twizy Sport F1 concept

The Renault Twizy Sport F1 concept has been unveiled at Renault's plant in Vallalodid, Spain. A collaboration between both Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies, the concept sits on the wheels of a single-seater racecar and features a front splitter, side-pods, a rear wing and a diffuser with an F1-style rain light. When looking at the concept, which measures in at 2,600mm long, 1,490mm wide and 1,450mm high, the tires are one of the first things you see, and are the same as those fitted to the Formula Renault 2.0 single-seater.

Audi TT ultra quattro concept sheds 300kg & heads for Worthersee

The TT ultra quattro concept manages to tip the scales at 1111kg, 299kg less than the starting point – the TT S quattro – thanks to a new version of the TT’s aluminium space frame, carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels, carbon fibre for many body panels and some judicious use of magnesium. Other weight saving tricks include carbon ceramic brakes with aluminium calipers, titanium exhaust, cameras instead of heavy door mirror mechanisms, and carbon fibre and aluminium wheels. The weight saving extends to the interior of the TT ultra quattro concept too, with carbon fibre used for the door and centre console trims and glass-fibre reinforced plastic base for the seats which saves 22kh alone. But despite the weight savings Audi hasn’t made the TT ultra quattro concept a hair shirt outing with goodies like leather seats, AirCon and electric windows still on offer.

Volkswagen Rock Up! & Groove Up! launch

It’s already getting on for two years since the VW Up! arrived as Volkswagen’s main weapon in the city car market, so it’s well overdue for a special edition model to keep interest in the appealing little Up! high, and add some footfall to Volkswagen’s newly refurbished UK showrooms.

2013 EyesOn Design Automotive Exhibition poster unveiled

The commemorative poster and program cover for the 2013 EyesOn Design Automotive Design Exhibition has been unveiled at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. Renowned automotive artist Steven Macy designed this year's edition and he was joined at the unveiling by Ford's former global vice president of Design Jack Telnack, John Tucker (grandson of American automobile designer and entrepreneur Preston Tucker) and Dr. Phillip Hessberg.

One lap of the Web: Syphilis, a scary monster and one huge remote-controlled car

We spend a lot of time on the Internet -- pretty much whenever we're not driving, writing about or working on cars. Since there's more out there than we'd ever be able to cover, here's our daily digest of car stuff on the Web you may not otherwise have heard about. -- Karl Henkel, a numbers guru, brings perspective to the government's distracted driving fear mongering by sharing Mazda 626 monstrosity from 1:3 scale RC car that can travel up to 45 mph?

2013 Kia Carens price & specification. Costs from £17,895.

That’s a subjective call, but the new Carens is a decent looking effort from Kia at a sensible price point with decent equipment levels and offers plenty of family lugging abilities in to the bargain. All Carens models in the UK come with 7 seats and yet is 20mm shorter than the old Carens, But thanks to an extra 50mm in the wheelbase Kia reckons it offers all the space if bigger rivals and, with a flexible configuration for the seating, means the new Carens can accommodate the needs of a mix of load and people carrying with alacrity. The new Carens comes in three trim levels – catchily named 1, 2 and 3 – with 7 seats, cornering lights  LED running lights, electric heated door mirrors, AirCon, electric windows, Cruise, Radio/CD with iPod connectivity and Bluetooth and a rear conversation mirror.

2014 Range Rover Sport UK price & specifications confirmed

But as Land Rover has decided they are ready to make the specifications and prices for the new Range Rover official, it seems only fair to do a quick recap, although there’s not much we didn’t cover before. The 2014 Range Rover Sport comes in four trim levels - SE, HSE, HSE Dynamic and Autobiography Dynamic – and a choice of three engines - TDV6 and SDV6 3.0-litre diesel units and supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol – although not all engines are available on all trim levels. Equipment levels are decent with even the Range Rover Sport SE getting leather trim, auto lights and wipers, DAB, power tailgate, Stop-Start, Climate, heated front seats, SatNav, air suspension and Terrain Response.

Twizy Renault Sport F1 concept is a completely bonkers EV

Based on the  strange little Renault Twizy EV commuter golf buggy, the Twizy Renaultsport F1 concept gets a mad body kit to make it look like something out of a Star Wars film, with huge wings, side pods, a rear diffuser and a yellow paint job that evokes Renault’s sporting heritage. But it’s under the skin where the interesting stuff lurks. Renault has fitted the Twizy with an F1 inspired KERS system that fits where the back seat used to be (yes, the F1 Twizy is a toy just for one) which chucks an extra 79bhp at the Twizy’s existing electric motor when fully charged, enough to scoot the F1 Twizy to 62mph in just 6 seconds.

Renault Twizy RS F1 concept (2013) first official pictures

Renault has given the Twizy electric car a mad twist by bolting on an F1-style KERS system for Megane Renaultsport 265-worrying performance available for the very brave. The Twizy Renault Sport F1 Concept sits on single seater racing wheels, has an F1-apeing front splitter, side-pods, rear wing and even a rear diffuser to make the link to the racing side of Renault’s activities. F1-style KERS in a Twizy?

Audi TT Ultra Quattro concept (2013) first official pictures

This is Audi’s idea of a TT in the GT3 RS or Superleggera mould: the TT Ultra Quattro concept. Thanks to a ruthless diet and an uprated 2.0-litre TFSI turbo petrol engine, the all-wheel drive TT Ultra will launch to 62mph in 4.2sec, (1.3sec faster than a regular Audi TTS) and hit 173mph flat out. Just how light is the Audi TT Ultra?

Ferrari LaFerrari lands in China: Shanghai Motor Show

Ferrari’s hybrid supercar was as eagerly received as it was in Geneva, with a sea of photographers, press and visitors thronging to get a glimpse of what is undeniably an impressive ‘F70′ from Ferrari. But looking good is perhaps the second ‘must have’ for a supercar – especially one that replaces the Enzo – and LaFerrari looks to deliver on the number one priority for most supercar buyers - performance. With 798bhp from its naturally aspirated V12 and an extra 161bhp from its electric motor, LaFerrari promises a dose of green credentials – important, to a degree, on China’s polluted roads – to go with its performance and handling, performance that can see the car it get to 62mph in under 3 seconds and on to a 186mph in an even more impressive 15.5 seconds.

Lexus launches 'Design Matters' campaign

Lexus has hosted an event called ‘Design Matters' in New York City, as part of a new strategy to showcase the brand's commitment to design. Toyota's global president Akio Toyoda attended the event along with Mark Templin, executive vice president of Lexus International, who said, "Lexus is expanding as a global company and we need to speak to a broad global audience. There's no better way to do that than through design." Templin used the event to announce its other design-related campaigns.

Toyota ME.WE Concept: It’s an egalitarian EV

Based on the electric running gear of the Toyota i-Road we saw at Geneva (but with a full set of wheels) Toyota and Massaud have created an urban vehicle that takes transport back to the basics; a 2CV for the 21st century, perhaps, or a grown up home-made kart seems to be where the ME.WE is at. The construction of the ME.WE comprises a tubular aluminium chassis and a pile of interchangeable polypropylene panels that can change the function of the ME.We from city car to convertible to pickup to 4×4 (thanks to electric motors on both axles) and is, by any definition, transport and not a car you’d have to make a statement. Inside is just as basic with a single dial for the instruments, flat surfaces made from bamboo (designers love a bit of bamboo), batteries for the electric motors under the floor and you have to store any luggage on the roof under a weatherproof cover.