07 Yamaha Raptor 700 Gas Tank & Fuel Pump on 2040-parts.com

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

BMW 1-series M Coupe (2011) MotoGP safety car

BMW's M Division has unleashed a track version of its upcoming 1-series M Coupe, which made its debut as the 2011 MotoGP safety car at the season-opening MotoGP race in Qatar on 20 March. BMW 1-series M Coupe MotoGP safety car – the lowdown Visually there have been some changes over the roadgoing 1M, which is due to go on sale in April 2011. The new louvred bonnet is made from carbon fibre, there’s an additional front splitter fitted to the bumper, plus polycarbonate side and rear windows, and an adjustable rear wing. There’s a light bar on the roof for official signaling duties and the package is wrapped in a suitably-loud M colour scheme Inside there's a partially stripped-out interior with a bolt-in roll cage replacing the rear seats, a pair of lightweight Recaro racing buckets up front with six-point harnesses, and a fire extinguisher.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe – the Video

GM has released a video featuring the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Much of the Detroit Motor Show has been low key. The headline stuff has been mainly about ‘Eco’ cars and although there has been a bit of domestic ‘Muscle’ it’s been a bit thin on the ground. Yes, we had the Mustang GT and even the Buick Regal GS but in terms of real clout probably the most impressive has been the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.