Honda Elsinore Cr Gas Tank on 2040-parts.com

Plans for Smart’s three-seat sports car uncovered in patent drawings

Mercedes-Benz is developing a three-seat sports car for Smart. Depicted here in a series of European patent-application sketches obtained by AutoWeek, the radical new sports car forms part of an extended range of new Smart models planned for introduction by the middle of the next decade, including a more conventional four-seater to be produced in cooperation with Renault. Mercedes-Benz is reacting to increased competition from Toyota in the form of the iQ and the impending arrival of similar urban-based offerings from premium-brand rivals Audi and BMW.

Electric Land Rover Defender Revealed

Perfect for stalking - the electric Land Rover Defender We do tend to bang on about the only use for electric cars being as expensive runarounds in cities, or as toys to play with for the better off. After all, with useless range and sky-high prices electric cars have little going for them. But it looks like Axeon -Europe’s  leading independent developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion battery systems - has found a nice little niche that suits an electric vehicle down to the ground – Safari transport.

Nissan shakes off the rust at 24 Hours of Le Mans test

Nissan took another step toward competing in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans on Monday. The company saw 15 cars running with Nissan power in the test, including the DeltaWing. The day also saw the return of Martin Brundle to the Circuit de la Sarthe.