Blog on 2040Parts

Bugatti Galibier also a victim of VW cost cutting?

Reports suggest that the Bugatti Galibier – Bugatti’s four-door super saloon – is facing more delays. Another VW cost cutting victim? Now it looks like the next model in the Bugatti range – the Bugatti Galibier – is also facing uncertain delays.

Rolls Royce Ghost Coupe Spy Video

We have video of the Rolls Royce Ghost Coupe at the Nurburgring. Could this Ghost Coupe arrive as the new Rolls Royce Corniche? There was never any doubt that Rolls Royce would take the same route with the Ghost as they have with the Phantom by extending its appeal with a convertible and coupe option.

New Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2013) arrives

Porsche has revealed the 2013 Cayenne Turbo S, the range topping Cayenne with an extra 50bhp and a £107.5k price tag. The 2013 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S has been revealed with a few subtle cosmetic changes and an extra 50bhp and 37lb/ft of torque to add to the Cayenne Turbo’s 500bhp and 516lb/ft. Porsche has released the extra 50 horses in the Turbo S by making the inlet manifold more-free flowing, turning up the boost a bit and plugging in their laptops to have a fiddle, the result of which is a 0-62mph of 4.5 seconds and a top speed 3mph more.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2012) first official pictures

If you're a Porsche Cayenne buyer, it's unlikely you're too bothered about the political (in)correctness of your vehicle. Still, Porsche has somewhat injected a modicum of common sense into the new flagship model: the Cayenne Turbo S. Despite gains of 42bhp and 37lb ft over the already potent Cayenne Turbo, Porsche claims the Turbo S suffers no drop in fuel efficiency or inferior CO2 output.

Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid gets 108 MPGe

Ford Motor Company announced that its C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid achieves an EPA-certified 108 miles-per-gallon-equivalent (MPGe) city and 100 MPGe combined. The rating makes the C-Max Energi the most efficient plug-in hybrid by MPG-e according to the listings on the Environmental Protection Agency Web site. The only vehicles to rank higher were the all-electric 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a combined MPGe of 112, and the 2012 Ford Focus EV with 110 MPGe.

Video: Gorden Wagener on the Mercedes Aesthetics S sculpture

Daimler AG's design chief, Gorden Wagener, explains the details of the Aesthetics S sculpture, revealed at the recent Paris motor show, in a new video interview. The latest addition to the ‘Aesthetics' sculpture series, which already consists of Aesthetics No. 1 (2010), Aesthetics No.

Bentley & Lamborghini SUV on hold?

Reports today say that VW is planning to put the Bentley SUV and Lamborghini Urus SUV on hold as VW fights to cut costs. Despite still strong sales, VW is now forecasting lowered sales going forward than previously expected and looking at ways to keep costs in check until the economy starts moving in the right direction again. And one of those cuts seems to be the launch of luxury SUVs by Bentley and Lamborghini.

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Review: 640d M Sport (2012)

We have the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe in for review and road test in the guise of the 640d Gran Coupe M Sport. Is the Gran Coupe a niche too far? Audi caught up with the swoopy-coupe saloon a while back with the A7 – and even Porsche with the Panamera – but it’s taken BMW until this year to get their own version on sale – the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe.

Nissan cuts the price of the Micra to £7,995

The Nissan Micra is getting a price cut in the UK, with the entry-level Micra dropping to just £7,995 and price cuts across the Micra range. That means the entry-level Micra 1.2 12v Visia comes down form a not exactly bargain basement £9,750 to a much more appealing £7,995. And Nissan hasn’t done it by cutting equipment levels, as they say every model still gets the same level of equipment, including Bluetooth.

Mercedes fixes diesel injector problems

Mercedes say that a new injector system for C Class and E Class diesels with the OM651 engine have now been fixed. So extensive was the problem that many owners were waiting months for their cars to be fixed as Mercedes struggled with a mounting pile of broken cars and injectors that were failing. Mercedes tell us that the problem was fixed with the release of new injectors later in 2010, but Cars UK readers have continued to complain about their cars needing multiple visits to dealers with injectors failing multiple times (that original story garnered more than 500 comments from disgruntled Mercedes owners).

Volkswagen to launch budget brand, priced from £4800

Volkswagen is planning to launch a new budget brand to challenge the likes of Dacia – and the bargain basement minis will be sold in Europe too. Prices for the yet-nameless new cheap VWs will start from just €6000, or £4800, according to paperwork seen by CAR. How can VW build city cars so cheaply?

NHTSA finds proliferation of counterfeit airbags

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA issued a safety warning about counterfeit airbags on Wednesday. The agency has become aware of a problem involving fake airbags used for replacement parts.

Acura ZDX to be discontinued after 2013 model year

If you're in the market for a new Acura ZDX, consider heading to a dealership soon: Acura has announced that they will discontinue the crossover after the 2013 model year. The all-wheel drive ZDX, which shares a platform with the more conventional Acura MDX, will reportedly sign off with a “single, value-added package.” In other words, the crossover will only be sold in one configuration—which happens to be heavily loaded with luxury features including 10-speaker surround sound, an eight-inch display with integrated rearview camera system and heated, ventilated front seats. Safety-oriented technology like forward-collision warning and lane-departure-warning systems will make their ZDX debut as well.

Toyota recalls 2.5 million vehicles for fire risk

Toyota is recalling 2.5 million vehicles in the U.S. over a power window switch that could catch fire. The company says the switch may have a “notchy” or “sticky” feel.

GM bets on new four-cylinder family in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

General Motors' European subsidiary, Opel, has revealed a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that will be offered from early 2013 across its lineup, starting with the soon-to-be-revealed Astra-based Cascada convertible. The aluminum block unit, the first in a new range of so-called SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engines, forms the centerpiece of the company's downsizing strategy for displacement. The engine is claimed to have improved torque characteristics and a significant reduction in consumption compared with its predecessor.

Sometimes only a full-size pickup will do

It's a sad/happy time of year for me. Why? Here in Michigan it's definitely getting to be fall, weather wise.

Is this the 2015 Land Rover Defender DC100?

We have a photo of the 2015 Land Rover defender from China’s Patent Office. Is this the first view of the production version of the new Defender? We reported just last week that Land Rover are planning the replacement for the iconic Defender to be a world car and will be selling Defenders in the US for the first time since 1997.

VW Golf MK 7: BlueMotion & 4Motion announced

Volkswagen has revealed additional engine options for the VW Golf MK 7 – 1.2 & 1.4 TSI BlueMotion – and 4Motion 4WD. Unsurprisingly, Volkswagen is going to be offering their eco-star BlueMotion setup in the new Golf with two petrol options available and the option of ACM (Active Cylinder Management). Entry-level for the new Golf BlueMotion will be the 1.2 litre TSI with 105PS with a more powerful version with the 1.4 litre 122PS engine also available.

McLaren 12C Spider Neiman Marcus Edition. Christmas is coming.

This year’s special Christmas car from Neiman Marcus is a special edition of the McLaren 12C Spider with lunch with Ron Dennis thrown in. Last year Neiman Marcus offered the Ferrari FF but this year it’s the turn of the Brits again (the Neiman Marcus Christmas car was the Jaguar XJ in 2009) with the new McLaren 12C Spider, the convertible version of the MP4-12C (which, it appears, McLaren now want us to call just the 12C). The Neiman Marcus 12C Spider is a bog standard car (not that there’s much ‘bog standard’ about 616bhp and a 0-62mph of just 3.1 seconds) in Volcano Red, but it does come with the prerequisite of a Neiman Marcus car by offering something money can’t easily buy (although it self evidently can) – dinner with Ron.

Toyota recall Auris, RAV4 & Yaris in UK

Toyota are recalling all Auris, RAV4, Yaris & Corolla models worldwide to check a faulty electric window switch. Toyota has issued a recall for some 7.4 million cars worldwide to check a potential fault on the Power Window Master Switch on all models of the Toyota Auris, RAV4, Corolla and Yaris built between September 2006 and December 2008. In the UK there are around 138,000 cars affected, but the Corolla is not affected in the UK – just the Auris, Yaris and RAV4.

Ariel Atom 3.5 (2012) first official pictures

It's difficult for Ariel to come up with a mid-life refresh for its cars - there simply aren't that many bits to fiddle with in the first place. Still, the boys from Somerset must have succeeded, because what we have here is the freshly updated Ariel Atom 3.5. As the name suggests, it's a development of the Ariel Atom 3, with a crop of minor visual  tweaks and some mechanical changes too, keeping Caterham and BAC looking over their shoulders.

GM lobbyist Ferguson named global head of Cadillac

General Motors has appointed its chief lobbyist to the newly created post of global Cadillac chief, a step aimed at transforming the American luxury brand into a strong worldwide player. Robert Ferguson, 53, who has been GM's vice president of global public policy, becomes vice president of global Cadillac. He reports directly to GM CEO Dan Akerson, the company said today.

Shopautoweek.com iPad app takes car shopping mobile

If you've been reading Autoweek for the past year or so, you've no doubt heard us talking about our shopping site shopautoweek.com. It's designed to let enthusiasts like us (and most likely you) share car knowledge with regular car buyers, helping connect them with the best new car for their needs. Shopautoweek.com is already a great Web site; now it's a great iPad app.

Classic vs. Modern: Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ vs. Datsun 280Z

My interest in cars remains stuck in the early 1970s--when I was spending most of my time trying to retrieve the copies of AutoWeek that had been confiscated by my second grade teacher, Mrs. Wilks. While my iPod may be full of downloads from the likes of Dirty Pretty Things, The Kooks and Grizzly Bear (and very little from Led Zeppelin, the Stones or Pink Floyd), my garage contains nothing built after 1991.

SsangYong Korando Sports arrives

SsangYong has extended the appeal of their budget SUV Korando by launching the Korando Sports, a cross between a family car and a pick-up. Now SsangYong are pitching in to the Bob the Builder market with their take on vehicles like the Mitsubishi L200 (which has just been given a five year warranty by Mitsubishi) with the SsangYong Korando Sports. The Korando Sports is a double cab pickup with four doors and five seats that SsangYong says offers a working vehicle with 4WD, 2.3 tonne towing capacity and all the appointments of a family car.

Why are Jaguar sales falling?

Jaguar Land Rover sales are up, but they’re being driven by Land Rover and Range Rover sales with Jaguar sales dropping by over 10 per cent. But why? We’ve got used to Jaguar Land Rover reporting ever increasing sales, and this year is no different.

New Peugeot 208 production cut as sales disappoint

Peugeot is cutting back on production of the new 208 as its sales fail to reach expectations, just six months on from launch. It’s not enough when Europe is ion the midst of an economic crisis and car buyers are polarised between ‘budget’ cars that offer more for less than mainstream offerings and ‘Premium’ models that are bought on the back of a preconceived notion of more kudos. That leaves car makers like Peugeot (and Renault, Citroen, Vauxhall, Ford, Opel, Fiat…) between a rock and a hard place, unable – or unwilling – to compete with the offerings from Korea and saddled with a brand that doesn’t have the ‘class’ of an Audi or a BMW or a Mercedes or even a VW.

2013 Range Rover gets its first Award

The 2013 Range Rover – which has just arrived at the 2012 Paris Motor Show – has garnered its first award as the top 4×4 by the Sunday Times. It seems that the Sunday Times felt able to judge all that mattered about the new Range Rover from a ride in the passenger seat of a new Range Rover being driven by Land Rover’s Chief Engineer, Mike Cross. Very odd.

Volvo V40 Cross Country & V40 R-Design: UK Price

We have UK prices for the Volvo V40 R-Design and V40 Cross Country. The V40 Cross Country starts at £22,595 and the V40 R-Design at £22,295. The Volvo V40 Cross Country will cost from £22,595 for the V40 Cross Country D2 SE which comes as standard with 16″ alloys, folding door mirrors with puddle lights, rain sensor, Volvo’s textile/T-Tec upholstery, tread plates and silver roof rails.

Hyundai Veloster Review: Sport 1.6 GDi (2012)

We have the new Hyundai Veloster Sport 1.6 GDi – complete with Media Pack – in for review and road test. A quirky Hyundai coupe – but is it any good? Along with a sizeable chunk of UK car buyers, we’re big fans of the recent cars from Hyundai.