Blog on 2040Parts

Are BMW really trying to buy De Tomaso?

Reports from Italy say that BMW is in talks to buy De Tomaso, the perpetually failed maker of supercars. It’s long been rumoured that BMW has an interest in acquiring De Tomaso to give it a proper supercar brand to rival the offerings from the VW group. But, despite many opportunities to do so, BMW has never made the move.

James Bond car chases – 50 years in 2 compilation videos

With the James Bond film franchise celebrating 50 years, we have two videos of Bond car chases to enjoy. For those of us who grew up with Sean Connery and Aston Martin as the Bond ingredients that matter, nothing is better than James Bond in an Aston Martin DB5. But there have been many other Bonds in the 50 year history of the Bond franchise – from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig by way of Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, George Lazenby and Pierce Brosnan – and even more cars, from BMW to Lotus by way of Toyota and Sunbeam.

Audi SQ5 Exclusive – for when an SQ5 just isn’t enough

Audi are debuting a limited edition of their new SQ5 – the SQ5 Exclusive – at Paris 2012 before a limited production run of 50 cars. The new Audi SQ5 – a diesel RS Q5 in all but name – bowed in at Le Mans in June featuring the 3.0 litre twin turbo diesel V6 with 479lb/ft of torque, 309bhp and a very un-SUV 0-62mph of 5.1 seconds. As the range-topping Q5 you would think that would be enough for Audi, but it seems they think there’s a market for an even more exclusive Audi SQ5 so they’re producing a limited edition model that’ll cost an extra £30k – the Audi SQ5 Exclusive.

Smart ForStars Concept revealed

The Smart ForStars EV Concept has been revealed ahead of a Paris 2012 debut, previewing the next generation Smart ForTwo. Why the Smart ForStars Concept, you may ask? Well, as this is a concept Smart can be a bit daft, so the ForStars gets a panoramic roof – so you can see the stars – and a video projector in the bonnet scoop so you can watch the (movie) stars.

MINI Paceman: Official

The production version of the MINI Paceman – the Countryman Coupe – has been revealed ahead of the Paris Motor Show. The MINI Paceman arrived at the Detroit Motor Show in 2011 as a concept, but it was clear, even then, that MINI wouldn’t be able to resist building the Countryman Coupe as a cheaper alternative to the Range Rover Evoque. So now we have the production version of the Paceman revealed ahead of its public debut at Paris 2012, looking exactly like the Paceman Concept.

BMW Concept Active Tourer – It’s the BMW B Class

The BMW Concept Active Tourer has been revealed ahead of the Paris Motor Show, previewing BMW’s new FWD direction. We recently had Mercedes roll out their take on the BMW 1 Series with the new A Class, and now the roles are reversed with BMW revealing their take on the Mercedes B Class with the BMW Concept Active Tourer. The BMW Concept Active Tourer is a preview of BMW’s front wheel drive future in the small premium sector, even if the Concept Active Tourer is notionally 4WD thanks to its a 67bhp electric motor driving the back axle in this hybrid setup.

Smart Forstars concept (2012) first offical pictures

It's about time Smart gave us another wacky concept, and this cheeky-looking Paris show-goer should do just the trick. It's an electrically-powered two-seater coupe that'll do 80mph thanks to a Brabus-sourced 81bhp battery-powered drivetrain. The 2012 Smart Forstars concept Smart are touting the Forstars as a sports coupe concept, and it does bear a certain resemblance to the now-defunct Smart coupe, thanks to its prominent two-tone bodywork and wheel-at-each-corner stance.

BMW Concept Active Tourer (2012) first offical pictures

This is BMW's answer to a downsized, eco-friendly motoring future: the Concept Active Tourer. It's a city-car sized MPV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that'll return up to 113mpg, according to BMW's figures. Moreover, this car previews the future of smaller BMWs going front wheel-drive, sharing architecture with Mini and liberating more interior space.

Buick Enclave starts at $39,270 for 2013 model

The 2013 Buick Enclave SUV will sticker for $39,270 including $825 for destination and handling. For the new year, the Enclave gets a gentle styling redesign, more standard equipment and more safety technologies. The 2013 Enclave will have three equipment groups: “convenience,” “leather” and “premium.” All three will come with a good selection of Buick standard features, including a touch-screen radio, HID headlights, parking sensors, backup camera, remote start and a few other features.

Mini Paceman breaks cover before Paris debut

The Mini Paceman will become the seventh vehicle in Mini's lineup when it debuts at the Paris auto show later this month. It rides on the same platform as the Mini Countryman, but has a roof that slopes to the rear like the Range Rover Evoque. As is the case with the rest of the Mini lineup, a standard model and an up-powered S version will be offered.

Lamborghini Gallardos recalled for fire risk

A safety recall for 1,491 2004-2006 Gallardo coupes and spyders was handed down by Lamborghini due to a potential faulty hydraulic hose in the power steering system that could, with an ignition source, start a fire. Owners will be notified within the next month if their car is one of the potential candidates for a “Disco Inferno.”

Myths, facts and the Chevy Volt

The election is less than two months away, so it must be time to bash the Chevy Volt. I’m referring to a Washington Post piece titled “GM’s vaunted Volt is on the road to nowhere fast.” I cite the Post piece only because it’s the latest; there have been other similar pieces in other quote-unquote mainstream media outlets. For the most part they trot out the same old arguments.

Bentley goes Belgian for Italian flair with new director of design

Bentley fans looking for a more Lamborghiniesque Bentley may just be in luck. Bentley Motors announced that Luc Donckerwolke will take over as its new director of design. Donckerwolke was most recently employed as the head of advanced design for Volkswagen Group.

Ferrari posts record sales despite economic uncertainty

Global economic waters are far from calm, but Ferrari has managed to steer clear of the turmoil. The Italian automaker has released sales figures for the first six months of 2012, and they’re impressive by any measure. Revenues for the first half of the year are up nearly 12 percent, and net profits have risen 10 percent to over $130 million.

Brabus upgrades Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

German tuner Brabus has added the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster to its stable of upgradable cars. The horsepower wizards from Bottrop, Germany, wrung 520 hp from the SL's 4.7-liter bi-turbo V8, which should be good enough for a top speed of 186 mph. The Brabus B20 PowerXtra module is responsible for the 85-hp increase and the 88 lb-ft of extra torque.

Nissan to move Murano build to Tennessee, report says

Nissan Motor Co. plans to shift output of the Murano crossover to its Smyrna, Tenn., plant from Japan, as it overhauls production amid the soaring yen, a news report said. The changeover will come around 2014, when the Murano is expected to undergo a full model change, Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo business daily reported on Thursday.

Range Rover designers talk tactics [w/Video]

Range Rover designers and engineers have come together in a short video to discuss the reasons and influences behind their decisions when it came to designing the brand's fourth-generation flagship SUV. Developing a new Range Rover is always going to a difficult job, given its status as the world's best 4x4 and its avid fan base, and in this video we get a chance to hear from the people who influenced this latest model. Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, explains: "Great design is the gateway to customer desirability, it's about making that personal connection.

Who's where: Luc Donckerwolke named Design Director at Bentley

Luc Donckerwolke has been named Design Director of Bentley in the latest round of moves within the Volkswagen group, replacing Dirk van Braeckel. Donckerwolke moves from Head of VW Advanced Design, a post he has held for little over a year. He is perhaps most renowned for his work at Lamborghini, overseeing the designs of both the Gallardo and Murcielago – two of the most successful and enduring Lamborghinis ever – during his time in Sant'Agata.

McLaren tease new F1 / P12 in video

The new McLaren F1 (P12) is being teased again, this time in a new video McLaren are calling ‘McLaren vs Aerodynamics. The new McLaren F1 (codenamed P12, but likely to be called almost anything) has been coming for a while. But now it’s almost here.

Mercedes CLA snapped undisguised

The Mercedes CLA – a baby CLS based on the new A Class – has been snapped undisguised in Iceland ahead of a 2013 reveal. The fact that Mercedes are building a four-door, swoopy coupe based on the new A Class is no secret. In fact, Mercedes rolled out the Concept Style Coupe at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year as a very clear pointer of what to expect.

Peugeot Onyx Hybrid Supercar: Official

The Peugeot Onyx Concept – a hybrid supercar concept – is heading for Paris 2012 and we now have more details. On Monday, we got the first news of the Peugeot Onyx Supercar concept that is heading for the 2012 Paris Motor show and designed to show that Peugeot are a long way from down and out. The first news of the Onyx was a teaser photo of it in Peugeot’s Facebook page, but a bit of digging a round on French cars sites yielded some additional information – and the Onyx name – and we subsequently updated that story with more photos of the Onyx.

Next Jaguar XJ to be more like a Mercedes S Class?

Jaguar boss Ralph Speth wants the next generation Jaguar XJ to be less individual and more like the Mercedes S Class and BMW 7 Series. The ‘new’ Jaguar XJ has been with us since 2009. Well, it’s been around since it was revealed in 2009, although it took another year to actually get in to the hands of customers.

Kia Proceed (2012) first offical pictures

Kia will launch the next derivative of the Ceed at the Paris motor show: the Proceed three-door model. It follows the Sportswagon estate and regular hatch, and will likely keep the same range of four-cylinder engines and six-speed gearboxes. The 2012 Kia Proceed three-door Like the last Proceed, the new car gets an unfortunately silly name, which we won't dignify with its shameful grammar here.

Mini Paceman (2012) first official pictures

This is a controversial one. It's the new Mini Paceman, a coupe version of the Countryman SUV, which itself is an upsized take on the Mini hatch. If that leaves you dazed and confused, angry even, as to why anyone would want to own such a thing, this isn't the car for you.

Nissan TeRRA Concept FCEV (+ video)

Nissan has revealed the TeRRA Concept – a 4WD hydrogen fuel cell electric car – heading for a debut at the Paris Motor Show. With the Paris Motor Show getting ever closer, the reveals are starting to come thick and fast. The Nissan TeRRA Concept is a hydrogen-powered SUV using electric motors from the LEAF with a chunk of its powertrain under the bonnet driving the front wheels and an an electric motor on each rear wheel, all powered bt a hydrogen fuel cell under the boot floor.

2013 Peugeot RCZ Facelift & RCZ R Concept

Peugeot has revealed a facleift for the 2013 RCZ and a new, 260bhp concept as a new range topper – the Peugeot RCZ R. When we first reviewed the Peugeot RCZ we liked it a lot, but we thought it was a shame that the RCZ had Peugeot’s old nose and we thought it could do with a bit more get up and go. Both have been addressed with the 2013 facelift for Peugeot’s sporty RCZ.

Porsche Cayenne S Diesel: The V8 diesel Cayenne arrives

Porsche has revealed the 2013 Cayenne S Diesel with a 4.2 litre V8 diesel offering 378bhp, 626lb/ft of torque and 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds. Back in April we reported that the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel was on its way with a V8 diesel engine to take on the BMW M50d and the upcoming offerings from Land Rover with a 2014 4.4 litre Range Rover Sport seeming a likely possibility. Now Porsche has caught up and revealed the Cayenne S diesel, which gets the 4.2 litre diesel V8 with a healthy 378bhp and a very useful 626lb/ft of torque, enough to scoot the Cayenne S Diesel to 62mph in 5.7 seconds – a bit slower than the M50d, but all that torque should make it feel at least as lively.

Nissan Terra SUV concept (2012) first official pictures

This is the Nissan TeRRA (which we'll be referring to as the Terra from now on.) It's a hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept car that'll debut on Nissan's stand at the 2012 Paris motor show from 27 September. Strictly a design study with no plans for production, it does nevertheless confirm that Nissan is thinking seriously about fuel cell-equipped cars, and that once the infrastructure is viable, Nissans will be quick to adapt to a hydrogen-fuelled future. It's not Leaf-style EVs, you know.

Peugeot 2008 crossover concept (2012) first pictures

If Peugeot's to survive its current financial woes, it needs to get younger buyers excited about the brand. Along with the 208 GTI, the brand will be showing this, the 2008 concept, at the Paris motor show. It's a small, urban-friendly crossover designed to be more practical than a standard supermini, combined with an eco-friendly 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine.

Peugeot RCZ R and facelift (2012): first pictures

Peugeot will show an RCZ R concept car at the 2012 Paris motor show - signalling its intention to turn its good-looking coupe into a more serious sporting drive. The show also marks the arrival of an RCZ facelift for the rest of the range, bringing the two-door into line with the new family face. The RCZ R will go into production, later in 2013 according to Paris.