03 Yamaha Bear Tracker Beartracker 250 Rear Wheel Hub on 2040-parts.com

Opel Ampera: the full, official technical story

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 25 March 2009 10:05 Opel/Vauxhall predict that the new Ampera production car will sell more in Britain than anywhere else in Europe. The extended range electric vehicle, unveiled at the recent 2009 Geneva motor show, will go on sale here in late 2011 and marketing bosses say the UK is more accepting of hybrids and alternative vehicles than other markets. It’s not clear at this stage how much the Ampera will cost in the UK, but we’re looking at a likely cost around £20,000.

Dacia Lodgy

Renault's budget brand, Dacia, is set to further its position as Europe's fastest growing automotive manufacturer with the introduction of the Lodgy. The five- or seven-seat MPV will be introduced at the forthcoming Geneva motorshow and promises to offer the brand's trademark qualities of value for money and robustness. Externally, there are visual links between the Lodgy and the products of its parent company, with the car sharing a similar silhouette to the Grand Scenic.

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival is full

Steve Earle, the granddaddy of vintage racing in America, has picked 375 historic race cars to fill the field at his Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, June 5-6 at Infineon Raceway in California's wine country. "The cars are the stars," said Earle. "And when they aren't racing, they are easily accessible in this area for the fans for that up-close and personal experience of inspecting engines, talking with owners or otherwise learning more about the sport and the restoration and maintenance of vintage cars." Earle said the event will continue the tradition of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, which he founded 37 years ago.