Cornwell.1/4"dr Ratch Black Used #563 on 2040-parts.com

Why carmakers say no to battery swapping

There's a strange disconnect surrounding Better Place, the company best known for its plan to extend the range of electric vehicles by relying on speedy battery swaps. Automotive executives are nearly unanimous in dismissing the idea. With the conspicuous exception of Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, rarely does an executive express interest.

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.

Lotus to build own V8 for Lotus ‘More Authentic’ than 458 or MP4-12C

New Lotus Esprit will get a Lotus developed V8 We thought Lotus were mad brave to announce to the world last year that they were turning themselves in to an East Anglian Aston Martin with a completely new range of much more expensive cars. But now we hear they’re also going to produce their own V8 engine. Wow.