Blog on 2040Parts

Jaguar C-X75: Jaguar’s Hypercar stillborn

The Jaguar C-X75 hybrid hypercar will not go in to production. Jaguar cite the poor economic outlook is behind the decision to scrap the C-X75. But the gas turbines soon bit the dust as Jaguar realised the technology was just not mature enough for a production car, so they replaced the gas turbines with a 1.6 litre turbocharged and supercharged petrol engine charging the batteries that powered the two electric motors, one on each axle.

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo IS the last Gallardo (video)

Lamborghini has finally confirmed the Gallardo is now at the end of its life, with the 2013 Gallardo the ‘Final Gallardo’. But the Lamborghini Gallardo is anything but new as it’s been with us for a decade and, although still selling remarkably well, is well past its sell-by date. So we’d half expected that Paris may have seen the first sight of the Gallardo’s replacement rather than a mildly titivated version of the current car, but that now seems likely to happen at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013 after Lamborghini put up a website this week – The Final Gallardo – leaving us in no doubt the Gallardo’s time is up.

Jaguar puts C-X75 supercar on ice

Jaguar has reversed its plan to sell the C-X75 hybrid supercar, fearing the project could be a commercial failure unable to recoup its investment. ‘After a thorough reassessment of the market conditions, the company’s view is that the global economic landscape does not currently support the introduction of a supercar such as C-X75,’ said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar global brand director. Together with project partner Williams F1, Jaguar has built five prototypes of the plug-in hybrid.

Jaguar Land Rover may build cars in Saudi Arabia

Jaguar Land Rover is planning to create a new factory in Saudi Arabia, subject to the outcome of a feasibility study of the kingdom, it announced today. The move centres around a planned partnership with Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Clusters Development Program (NICDP), helping JLR advance its aluminium platform technology. What are the details of the JLR-Saudi deal?

Skoda Octavia (2013): first official pictures

This is the new 2013 Skoda Octavia. For its third generation, the Octavia gets its cleanest, most efficient engines yet and the full gamut of tech upgrades available on the new Mk7 Golf - all wrapped up in a more sober, Czech-style package. The new Octavia is also lighter than the old car and, with the arrival of the mid-sized Rapid, has grown from family hatch proportions to fight the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia.

Honda's Urban SUV Concept (2013): first teaser shot

This is Honda's first teaser image of its new Urban SUV Concept. The design study will take the stage at the 2013 Detroit motor show in January. What do we know about Honda's new Urban SUV?

Video: Adrian van Hooydonk on the BMW 4-Series Coupe concept

BMW's Director of Design Adrian van Hooydonk explains the design strategy behind the 4-Series Coupe concept's design in a video interview filmed at the car's reveal at the Munich Design Night. He talks us through how the design team played with the wheelbase length to create new shapes and convey a sense of "elegance and power". Check out the full story and gallery of the BMW 4-Series Coupe concept for more information on the car that will replace the 3 Series coupe.

First details of 2013 Skoda Octavia emerge

More details and images of the 2013 Skoda Octavia have been revealed ahead of its official announcement. The C-segment Octavia will be the fourth model to sit on the MQB platform after the Volkswagen Golf Mk7, Seat Leon and Audi A3. These images suggest the car will offer few surprises – from its familiar corporate grille to the new, sharp-edged, cut-glass inspired surfacing first seen on the Rapid this third-generation Octavia looks set to build on its solid and loyal customer base.

Ford Transit van gets five-cylinder turbodiesel

The full-size Ford Transit van that replaces the E-series Econoline in late 2013 will have a turbocharged five-cylinder diesel in its powertrain lineup. Today Ford uses the 3.2-liter engine in the Ranger pickup sold in international markets. The engine, which wears Ford's Power Stroke marketing name for diesel engines, is built in South Africa and will be exported to the Transit assembly plant near Kansas City, Mo.

Chevy, Michigan Tech unveil a different kind of racer

At the 113th Army-Navy Game on Dec. 8, Chevrolet and students from Michigan Technological University unveiled a new hand cycle designed to make it easier for wounded vets to compete in racing events, including marathons. General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said GM will build 10 prototypes for use by the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans in marathons across the country.

Tesla #ModelStranded: the full story

The Tesla Model S is an incredible machine. We'll cover the operating experience soon, but right now I've got a story to tell. It started on a Tuesday morning, when a malfunction of the Tesla's charge port kept me stranded 90 miles from my office.

Motorcycle makers revved for rebound

Bikes are back. After being hit a lot harder by the recession than carmakers, the motorcycle industry, more susceptible to the whims of discretionary spending, is on its way back. “Unit sales are growing for the first time in several years,” said Danny Phillips, executive vice president of Advanstar, the parent company of Progressive International, which put on last weekend's motorcycle show at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Fiat 500L: UK price from £14,990

Fiat has revealed that their supersized 500 – the Fiat 500L – will cost from £14,990 for the 1.4 litre 500L Pop Star or Easy. Actually based on the Punto underpinnings, rather than the 500′s – the 500L is Fiat’s take on the MINI Countryman (well, both the 500L and the upcoming 500X SUV) and designed to extend the appeal of the 500 – Fiat’s most successful model – to a market that has outgrown the diminutive 500. Starting point for the 500L is aether the ‘Easy’ trim or ‘Pop Star’ trim (more daft trim levels) and come with standard features including a 5″ touchscreen radio, Bluetooth, Cruise, Electric door mirrors and leather on the gear knob and steering wheel.

New Kia Flagship Showroom in West London

With Kia sales growing strongly in the UK, Kia are building a new flagship showroom in West London next to the A4 and M4. Just like sister car maker Hyundai, Kia’s offerings are becoming more credible with every new model and in a clear sign of the ever-rising confidence from the Koreans, Kia is planning a big new flagship showroom in West London. The new Kia showroom – which will sit alongside the A4 and M4 in Brentford, key car showroom territory – will consist of four floors, a curved facade with a ‘floating’ upper showroom with multi-level parking for visitors, and extend to a rather large 41,237 sq ft.

Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Car: Lamborghini’s Ferrari F70?

Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann has confirmed a new Lamborghini to celebrate Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary in 2013. A Lamborghini Hypercar? It’s fifty years since Lamborghini first started to build cars, and 2013 sees the Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Grand Tour when Lamborghinis from around the world will congregate in Sant’Agata to drive 1200km of Italy’s roads in what is expected to be the biggest gathering of Lamborghinis ever (as long as enough owners are prepared to part with €5500 to take part).

Audi R8 China Edition: 80 cars – numbered 1-99

Audi has produced a limited run R8 China Edition with a total of 80 cars being produced in Blue and Grey numbered 1-99. Not only has Audi produced the China Edition R8, they’ve gone to some trouble to make it as appealing as possible to Chinese buyers by numbering the cars 1-99, but excluding any number ’4′. The number 4 is thought unlucky in China as it sounds like ‘si’, which means death.

Volkswagen Polo R WRC (2013) hot hatch pictures and specs

This is the Volkswagen Polo R WRC, a rally car-inspired hot hatch that shoehorns Golf GTI power into a Polo bodyshell. Deliveries of the strictly limited 2500-unit production run will commence in September 2013, but the bad news is that invitation doesn't extend to mainstream UK buyers. That said, VW hints that it could bring in a handful to the UK if there's enough demand.

Bugatti Veyron - the new super-Bug to hit 288mph

Bugatti is preparing a new SuperVeyron for launch in 2013 - and CAR has uncovered fresh details on the new higher-performance Veyron. Like its 288mph top speed. A 0-62mph time to worry an F1 car's.

Porsche 991 GT3 Cup (2013): the new racer revealed

The first 991-generation to bear the GT3 name isn't a hardcore road car: it's the latest version of the world's most successful racing car. This is the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, a stripped-out racer that'll compete in a one-make racing series from 2013. It'll also spawn other racing versions of the rear-engined icon, and eventually track-day versions of the 991 too.

Rinspeed Micromax (2013): first pictures of latest Swiss creation

This is niche Swiss manufacturer Rinspeed's latest vision to revolutionise our lives, and our urban transport. Yes, it is the proverbial box on wheels. However, Rinspeed is adamant the 'Micromax' is, in its own words, 'the perfect thing for swift short-distance transfers'.

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Revealed

Porsche has revealed the latest version of the 911 GT3 Cup – the first track car from Porsche based on the 991 911 – in Weissach. Porsche has built the new 911 GT3 Cup for its one-make racing series – the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – and it comes with plenty of promise for more track success. The GT3 Cup gets a 3.8 litre flat six which delivers 460 horses to the back wheels through a six-speed dog-type ‘box operated by paddles on the steering wheel.

VW Polo R WRC Street Limited Edition – but not for the UK

Volkswagen has revealed a production version of its Polo WRC car – the VW Polo R WRC Street – as a limited run, but not for the UK. Volkswagen has revealed a limited run VW Polo R WRC Street to coincide with their foray in to WRC with the Polo, and it goes on sale this month – but not for the UK. The LHD only Polo R WRC Street gets the 4WD platform Audi has developed for the A1 together with a 2.0 litre TSI producing 220bhp, delivered to all four wheels through a six-speed manual ‘box, enough to scoot the Polo R WRC to 62mph in 6.4 seconds – quicker than the Golf GTi.

Jaguar XJ Review (2013 MY): 3.0 litre Diesel Portfolio

We’ve got the 2013 MY Jaguar XJ in Portfolio trim with the 3.0 litre diesel engine and the new eight-speed gearbox and stop-start in for review and road test. But even though it’s changed little in the three years since it debuted, the XJ has changed minds about what a big Jaguar saloon should be; no longer the staid old man’s carriage of choice with a pipe holder in the centre console, but instead a stand-out car in its sector with better dynamics than anything else. The looks have grown on a sceptical public too, and the XJ is now viewed as a real Jaguar; it doesn’t garner crowds as it did in the early days, but it’s still a car that passing strangers feel warrants comment, comments which have always been complimentary when the big Jag has been with us.

Fisker expects to partner with automakers

Fisker Automotive's CEO, warning of the pitfalls facing independent small automakers, says the luxury plug-in hybrid manufacturer is poised to partner with other automakers next year. Tony Posawatz, Fisker's CEO and former chief engineer of the Chevrolet Volt, told Automotive News that Fisker is in talks for three potential deals in which executives at the "highest levels" of the companies involved are "talking specifics." "We are absolutely committed to making this company win longer term, and the history of smaller companies living on their own in the automotive business is not stellar," Posawatz said in an interview. "We are not going to go it alone." Posawatz said alliance deals could be completed within the next year.

Autoweek in review: What you may have missed

On Monday we woke to a recall involving the Ford Fusion and the Escape SUV for a problem with its 1.6-liter engine that could cause a fire. More than 80,000 vehicles were affected, and more bad news was to come. Auction house RM touted its car list for its January Arizona event, including some Italian and American racing history.

Fiat Panda Monster Truck to star in new Fiat TV commercial (video)

Fiat has turned the Fiat Panda 4×4 in to a monster SUV with 60 inch wheels to star in a new Fiat TV commercial arriving in 2013. We’re used to seeing big American SUVs get monster tyres to turn them in to car-crushing monster SUVs. But turning the comparative;y diminutive Fiat Panda 4×4 in to a monster truck is something altogether different.

Suzuki Grand Vitara facelift arrives for 2013. The Grand Vitara’s last hurrah?

The Suzuki Grand Vitara has had a mild nip and tuck to give it a bit of a facelift for 2013. On sale from December and priced from £15,595. Sadly, the modest changes Suzuki has wrought for the 2013 Grand Vitara are unlikely to turn buyers back on to the Grand Vitara, even if they do freshen things up a bit.

Nissan Juke Nismo: Price from £19,995

Nissan has announced that their sport take on the Juke – the Nissan Juke Nismo – will cost from £19,995 and is the first of a new Nismo range. For your £20k you’ll get a new sporty Juke with an extra 10 horses thanks to a tweak or three to the 1.6 litre petrol engine in the Juke DIG-T, which means a total of 197bhp, 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds and 135mph. Not exactly up there with the Juke R, but more than enough to blat properly round an urban landscape.

Hyundai i30 hits a million

Hyundai has revealed it has now built more than a million i30s with European sales accounting for 500,000 of those sales. Get over the latent badge snoberry and the Hyundai i30 is a family car that can be considered a real alternative to the leading cars in its sector – the VW Golf and Ford Focus – with a good combination of style, equipment, decent driving dynamics and cost. Set aside that badge snobbery and any buyer looking for a family car should really have these three – the i30, Golf and Focus - on their top three list; the rest is down to a subjective judgement.

New Range Rover (2013) wins Top Gear Luxury Car of the Year

The 2013 Range Rover – Land Rover’s new Flagship SUV – has won its first major award as Top Gear Luxury car of the year. Interestingly, it seems Land Rover are as sceptical as we were about the proclamation by the Sunday Times in October that the 2013 Range Rover was their luxury SUV of the year, despite never even driving it. Not that anyone is doubting the new Range Rover’s right to such a gong, just that it seemed odd to award it to a car that was still too new to judge.