McLaren 650S Spider (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 04 March 2014 12:00 This is the convertible version of the McLaren 650S: the 650S Spider. Given how closely the 650S coupe is based upon the 12C, it’s no surprise to see the 650S Spider looking very much like a 12C: same folding hard-top roof, same 40kg weight penalty, same boasts by McLaren that the carbon tub needs no extra reinforcing for its role in a cabriolet. Though the 650S Spider is 40kg heavier than the hard-top and has some of its P1-echoing aerodynamic talent spoiled by chopping the top off, it’s still a very fast piece of kit.

A new batch of Ford Mustang Cobra Jets is on the way to racers

The 40th Anniversary 2008 Mustang Cobra Jet, announced about a year ago, has been such a huge success for Ford Racing that the company will build a 2010 model, available later this year. Like the '08 CJ, just 50 examples of the turnkey race car will be built, the minimum number to homologate the car for competition in National Hot Rod Association events. An '08 Cobra Jet won its inaugural event in the Stock Eliminator Class in February at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif., just as the original 1968 Cobra Jet did.

Honda Insight goes for $1,560 less with new base model

Honda slashed $1,560 from the base price of its Insight hybrid for the 2011 model year, creating a new entry-level trim that carries a sticker price of $18,950, including destination charges. The move gives the Insight a pricing edge of about $4,610 over the Toyota Prius. The Insight LX was the base model for the 2010 model year, and its price started at $20,510.