Blog on 2040Parts

Lexus pitch big BIK savings on new RX 450h

The new Lexus RX 450h hybrid offers big BIK savings for company car drivers, something Lexus are keen to point out. Every car needs a USP to get its message across to potential buyers; a hook to land a sale. Depending on your wants, that USP could be anything from performance and style to running costs and boot space.

Mercedes-Benz handing off all V12 development to AMG

Wholly and verily, the Mercedes-Benz V12 in AMG tune is the most astounding motor Daimler puts in a car. Yes, the last-legs 6.2-liter 6.3 V8 is a hairy, wondrous beast. The diesel V6, with enough torque to shame a Buick 455, makes short business of long-distance travel, and the twin-turbo eights are nothing to sneeze at.

Long-lost Cunningham Corvette race car displayed

Chevrolet Corvette enthusiasts on Thursday got an up-close look at a car that raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 52 years ago but hasn't been seen for more than 20 years. On the eve of the Corvettes at Carlisle show in Carlisle, Pa., event promoter Lance Miller opened one of his climate-controlled garages to reveal the 1960 Corvette that many are certain is the car that wore No. 1 and ran in the 1960 race at Le Mans.

Historic Ferrari race cars among honored marques at Radnor Hunt

Historic Ferrari race cars, Cadillacs of the classic era and century cars (100 years old or older) are the featured marques of the 16th annual Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance. American maker Henderson is the featured motorcycle make for the 2012 event and shares the spotlight with two-stroke racing bikes and scooters from around the world. The concours takes place Sept.

A perspective on Monterey Week

The end of Monterey Week is always a bittersweet affair for me. It's a year's worth of preparation and anticipation that leads to eight to 10 days of long days and longer nights filled with both work and fun. For me, 2012 was the third consecutive year of jumping on a plane and heading out West for the festivities.

Remaking the Ford Mustang

By the time the next-generation Ford Mustang debuts in 2014, it will have worn a decidedly retro look for nearly a decade. From the styling to the chassis to the raw power, the pony car remains a throwback and a simple, true American pleasure. Expect that mantra to continue, but the execution will evolve, moving the Mustang forward into a broader, potentially global audience as it nears a half century of performance.

2013 Land Rover LR2 gets smaller engine, more efficiency, more luxury

Land Rover released the details of the 2013 LR2 compact SUV on Wednesday. It will be cleaner, more efficient and include more equipment than it has in previous years. The interior will get the bulk of the upgrades.

Concept Car of the Week: Ford GT90

The second edition of ‘Concept Car of the Week' features what was hailed as "the world's mightiest supercar": the Ford GT90. The GT90 was unveiled at the 1995 Detroit auto show and acted as the poster boy of the 'New Edge' design philosophy, with its large, flat planes, angles and triangular shapes it was a major change in design direction. This car, completed in just six months, was something of a successor to the GT40, using some of its design cues such as doors that cut into the roofline, but underneath many components were borrowed from the other cars such as the Jaguar XJ220.

Dany Bahar’s restored V8 Lotus Esprit for sale

With Dany Bahar now ousted as Lotus boss, his fully restored 2002 V8 Lotus Esprit is up for sale. When Dany Bahar joined Lotus from Ferrari, he brought with him some grandiose plans – and an ability to spend money – that were ultimately his undoing. And it appears Bahar was a bit too grand to run around in any of Lotus’s current models as ambassador for the brand, instead deciding the way to go was a fully restored version of the last Lotus supercar – the Lotus Esprit.

Trident Iceni 6.6 litre diesel V8 at Salon Prive

Salon Prive 2012 will play host to the Trident Iceni Grand Tourer – a custom built 6.6 litre V8 diesel-powered supercar – next month. Diesel engines and high performance cars – however good diesel engines have now become – are not synonymous with supercars. But no one seems to have told Norfolk car makers Trident.

Alfa MiTo Sportiva & Giulietta Sportiva added to range

Alfa Romeo has added a new trim level in the UK – Sportiva – for both the Alfa MiTo and the Alfa Giulietta. Two cars we like very much – depending on trim and engine – are the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Giulietta. Both offer style and fun at decent prices and make a nice change from Teutonic sameness.

Koenigsegg & Pagani heading for Chris Evans’ CarFest

With the first of Chris Evans’ CarFest extravaganzas kicking off this weekend, Supervettura are on the way with Koenigsegg and Pagani. This weekend sees the first of two petrolhead extravaganzas organised by Chris Evans for the benfit of Children in need kick off at Laverstoke Park Farm with CarFest South. Which means purveyors of supercars and providers of petrolhead fun are gathering their prize possessions together to get to Laverstoke Park Farm to enterrtain the assembled throng, one of which is *Supervettura with a cornucopia of supercar goodness.

2013 Land Rover Freelander 2 Facelift: Official

Land Rover has given the Freelander 2 a bit of a facelift for 2013 with an upmarket push, new trim levels and more equipment. We’ve been expecting Land Rover to give the Freelander 2 a facelift for 2013 – even though its only two years since the last one – to keep it fresh and able to stand alongside its trendy younger sibling, the Range Rover Evoque. What Land Rover has actually done with this facelift for the Freelander is blur the lines even more between Land Rover and Range Rover, with a push upmarket for the Freelander 2.

2013 Chevy Sonic RS priced at $20,995

The sportier 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS carries a sticker price of $20,995, including destination, when paired with a six-speed manual; the automatic version will sticker for $22,280. The RS differs from the base Sonic with unique transmission gearing in the manual and a higher, 3.53 final drive ratio for the automatic transmission. It's available only in hatchback form.

Shelby seminar highlights Auburn, Ind., Labor Day auction

Stars, seminars and sales will captivate automotive enthusiasts this Labor Day weekend at Auctions America by RM's annual Auburn Fall collector car weekend, Aug. 29–Sept. 2, at the historic Auburn Auction Park in Indiana.

First details of new Volkswagen Golf revealed; GTi planned for Paris

Volkswagen has revealed the first details of its seventh-generation Golf--including a classy new interior--at a heavily cloaked press event ahead of the car's official unveiling in September in Berlin. The Golf, VW's perennial best seller, has raked in worldwide sales of more 29 million cars over 38 years of production. The new model, which is described as being up to 23 percent more economical than its predecessor, is planned to go on sale across Europe in November, replacing today's model, introduced in 2008.

Bentley Continental GT Speed specs released

British luxury-car maker Bentley has published complete details of its new flagship vehicle, the Continental GT Speed. The 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine develops 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, which is good enough to propel the three-ton car from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. The car tops out at 205 mph.

New Bentley Continental GT Speed hits 205mph (video)

With the new Bentley Continental GT Speed about to get its public debut at the Moscow Motor Show we have new video of the GT Speed hitting 205mph. We had the news this morning that the Bentley Continental GT and GTC are both getting the new 8-speed ZF gearbox to make them both quicker and more economical, a new feature for the W12 engined Bentleys that’s also shared by the new Continental GT Speed. The GT Speed is due to get its public debut at the Moscow Motor Show next week, and as a bit of a PR trailer for its public debut Bentley has released new video of the GT Speed doing what it does very well – going quickly.

Could the Aston Martin AM V10 become a reality?

Could Aston Martin be planning to make the AM V10, a mid-engined supercar with the underpinnings of the Lexus LFA? Mark this one down as very speculative. A recent conversation with a ‘Man from Aston Martin’ yielded an interesting slip – the Aston Martin AM V10.

Range Rover Evoque top financed luxury car

A top luxury car finance house has revealed that the Range Rover Evoque is now the most popular financed car. Land Rover is still struggling to keep up with demand for the Range Rover Evoque, and is busy recruiting like mad and moving production to a 24hr, three shift system to help keep up with the number of Evoques flying out of showrooms. In the first year on sale, the Evoque racked up sales of 18,000 and so in demand is the Evoque that Land Rover are even resorting to trying to block grey market sales.

Bentley Continental GT & GTC get 8-Speed ZF ‘box

The new Bentley Continental GT, GTC and GT Speed with the W12 engine are getting the new 8-speed ZF gearbox. Improved economy and performance. When Bentley revealed the Continental GT V8 they did so complete with a new 8-speed ZF auto ‘box rather than the 6-speed ‘box the W12 GT and GTC get. But now they’ve managed to get the new 8-speed box bolted on to the W12 GTs to improve performance and economy.

Bentley Continental (2012): new gearbox, Speed specs

Bentley is cutting the average CO2 output across its range, but don't worry; they're not cheating with a flying-B-badged VW Up (take note, Aston Martin-Toyota). Instead, Bentley's fitting a new gearbox to all new two-door Continental models. Meanwhile, we've got all the details on the fastest Bentley road car ever: the new Continental GT Speed.

Land Rover Freelander (2012) facelift pictures

Yes, the sleek wannabe-coupe Range Rover Evoque may be stealing all the headlines for Land Rover at the moment, but the Freelander remains the core entry-level model in the Land Rover range. For the 2013 model year, Land Rover is giving the car an exterior freshen-up, a more upmarket interior, and new trim options. It'll be shown at the Moscow motor show from 29 August 2012.

2013 Nissan Rogue price starts at $23,135

Nissan released pricing for the 2013 Rogue crossover on Aug. 20. The base model with front-wheel drive costs $23,135, including $825 in destination and handling charges.

Fisker Karma recalled over fire risk

The Fisker Karma has been recalled after a fire in Woodside, Calif., where the source was determined to be a low-temperature cooling fan. This is the second fire for the Karma this year; the other happened in Fort Bend County, Texas. Around 1,400 Karma models already in customers' hands will be recalled, along with 1,000 that have yet to leave dealerships.

Rolls-Royce debuts Phantom Coupe Aviator at The Quail

Rolls-Royce unveiled the Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection at The Quail Lodge during Pebble Beach weekend. It's inspired by the company's aviation history and features a cockpit-like layout with cues from the aerospace industry. The Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection is finished in Aviator gray with a matte hood, and matte window and grille surrounds.

McLaren X-1

McLaren Special Operations unveiled a one-off supercar this weekend at Pebble Beach called the X-1, designed exclusively for an anonymous enthusiast. Following a consultation with the client a design by McLaren's Korean-born RCA graduate Hong Yeo was chosen. "X-1 embodies the McLaren value that every part has to have a purpose," said Yeo.

Fiat 500 Street – yet another 500 Special Edition

Fiat has revealed another special edition 500 – the Fiat 500 Street – with extra equipment and a sporty look. It must be all of a week since we’ve had a limited edition Fiat 500, so it was long overdue. Determined to produce as many limited edition 500s as they possibly can to get punters through showrooms, Fiat has added the Fiat 500 Street to its current lineup in a bid for a few more hard-earned Pounds heading their way.

McLaren 12C Spider gets public debut at Pebble Beach

McLaren has given the convertible MP4-12C – the McLaren 12C Spider – its first public outing at Pebble Beach. It’s a month since we had the reveal of the McLaren 12C Spider – the very appealing trick roof version of the MP4-12C – but we hadn’t actually seen it in the flesh. At least not until this weekend when McLaren gave the 12C Spider a public outing at Pebble Beach.

Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake priced from £49,360

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the CLS Estate – the Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake – will cost from £49,360 CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. The new Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake got its official reveal back in April (although we had to wait until July for the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake) , Mercedes has only now got round to revealing that the CLS Estate will cost from £49,360 for the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Shooting Brake. The CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY has to make do with Becker MAP PILOT instead of the full fat COMAND multimedia system the 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and CLS 63 AMG get, but all three CLS Shooting Brake models - CLS 250 CDI, CLS 350 CDI and the flagship CLS C63 AMG Shooting Brake – get DAB, leather, Parktronic, metallic paint and Bi-Xenons.