Volkswagen Passat 2001 Throttle Body [5620300] on 2040-parts.com

McLaren F1 to buy BMW F1 Engine ops

McLaren could be about to buy up BMW's F1 engine operations BMW are quitting F1 at the end of this season, and the Sauber team is up for sale. But the engine operations are not part of the deal. So it’s starting to look as if McLaren are looking to buy up the engine side from BMW and become a completely independent F1 car builder – just like Ferrari.

Ford Model T climbs Ben Nevis: Ford Heritage Images

Ford Model T climbs Ben Nevis in 1911 (click for full size image) When the good Mr Clarkson decided Top Gear should do a piece about a Land Rover Discovery using its incredible off-road abilities to climb a mountain in Scotland we were all astonished that – despite a couple of hiccups on the way – he managed to get one of Land Rover’s finest up a mountain where cars were never designed to go. What’s even more astonishing is that Ford managed to do the same 100 years go, but they used a standard Model T and choose Britain’s tallest mountain – Ben Nevis – for the stunt. The 20 horsepower Model T was driven up Ben Nevis as a publicity stunt for Ford’s agent in Edinburgh.

Nissan prepares electric NV200 minivan

The commercial sector could be getting a jolt of electricity from Nissan in late 2013. The company is testing all-electric versions of the NV200 minivan with the aim of offering the vehicles in taxi and delivery van models. The NV200 runs the same powertrain as the Nissan Leaf.