01-05 Honda Civic Trunk on 2040-parts.com

House narrowly passes scaled-back 'cash-for-clunkers' bill

The U.S. House on Tuesday narrowly passed a scaled-back version of a bill that would give consumers cash vouchers of between $3,500 and $4,500 if they trade in their cars for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The $1 billion cash-for-guzzlers proposal, modeled after successful programs in Germany and other European countries, is part of a $106 billion supplemental spending measure designed mostly to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Video: Adrian van Hooydonk on the BMW 4-Series Coupe concept

BMW's Director of Design Adrian van Hooydonk explains the design strategy behind the 4-Series Coupe concept's design in a video interview filmed at the car's reveal at the Munich Design Night. He talks us through how the design team played with the wheelbase length to create new shapes and convey a sense of "elegance and power". Check out the full story and gallery of the BMW 4-Series Coupe concept for more information on the car that will replace the 3 Series coupe.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II (2014) first official pictures

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 04 March 2014 10:30 Rolls-Royce doesn’t facelift or revise its models quite like the rest of the world’s car manufacturers. Instead, mere mortal, you’re looking at the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, and the company claims, quite seriously, that the launch of this revised über-saloon ‘consolidates the Ghost’s position as the most popular car in the €200,000+ class.’ And in case you’re not feeling suitably poor or unaccomplished this morning, Rolls would like to point out this car probably isn’t for you either. Customers who’ll buy the Ghost Series II, says Rolls, are ‘the captains of industry, entrepreneurs and successful businessmen and women who are the wealth and job creators in our economies.’ Unless you’re on first name terms with the PM, you’re probably not overly familiar with the Ghost, but those who party with ‘Dave’ should be able to spot the subtle revisions, including sleeker LED headlights with daytime running lights.