Johnson, 812b-1 Impeller on 2040-parts.com

BMW's MPA line bridges the gap to M

Soon, bridging the gap between your father's 328i M-Sport and the M3 of your dreams will be simple, all thanks to BMW MPA. The admitedly uninspiring "MPA" moniker doesn't refer to an accounting certification available at your local community college, but rather, M Performance Automobiles. It serves as a step between the M-Sport appearance package already available on nearly every BMW model and the fire-breathing M cars at the top.

Lifeboat resuces two swamped cars

A LIFEBOAT CREW rescued two cars which were swamped by the sea within 90 minutes of each other as the highest tides of the year caught drivers out. At least one of the vehicles which were wrecked by the submerging North Sea had been used to try to pull a boat out of the water, the RNLI said. A crew from Redcar, near Middlesbrough, responded to the first call-out at 3.20pm on Wednesday after coastguards received a number of 999 calls saying two people were on the roof of a vehicle on the town's beach as the waters came in.

Renault Frendzy concept

Renault has revealed details of the Frendzy concept ahead of its anticipated debut at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. Fully electric, and with an asymmetrical design, the compact vehicle is the fourth 'life-cycle' concept to be unveiled since Laurens van den Acker took over from Patrick leQuement. Designed by Deyan Denkov (exterior) and RCA graduate Ana Zadnik (interior), the Frendzy's design blends the utility of a commercial business vehicle and the comfort of a family car.