Monroe 71536 Front Oespectrum Strut on 2040-parts.com

BMW 7-series hybrid due in 2009

By Nick Gibbs Motor Industry 07 July 2008 14:30 BMW will launch a hybrid petrol version of the newly unveiled 7-series in 2009, but admits it’s more for green-leaning V8 addicts than seriously eco-aware bosses. Even with the latest lithium-ion batteries, the forthcoming 4.4-litre V8 petrol-electric version will struggle to match the astonishing 39.2mpg and 192g/km of CO2 of the new six-cylinder diesel, especially when BMW will launch stop-start technology for the whole range within two years. The hybrid is likely to cost several thousand more than the £65,000 it’s estimated you’ll need to buy the regular, twin-turbo 750i that goes on sale in November 2008.

Pagani Huayra in Purple with Tricolour Calipers (video)

We have video of what looks like a new build Pagani Huayra, still plastic wrapped, in purple with Italian Tricolour brake calipers. That’s because the Pagani Huayra has not, as far as we can tell, managed to get a European Certificate of Conformity or managed to be Federalised for the US, so sales are impossible. But Pagani are still producing a few cars – although they’ve probably built more Zondas in the last two years than Huayras – but it looks like this Huayra – caught on video outside Pagaini’s premises in Modena – is a new build.

Hennessey Performance boosts McLaren MP4-12C

Hennessey Performance Engineering has a new power package for the McLaren MP4-12C. For $19,500 (plus the base price of the car, obviously) it pushes output to 704 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 88 hp and 96 lb-ft.