1971 Kawasaski 100 Bottom Triple on 2040-parts.com

DRB-Hicom reject offer for Lotus

DBR-Hicom – owners of Proton and Lotus – have rejected an offer for Lotus and are intent on nursing it back to health. The rumours surrounding the fate of Lotus - especially after the Dany Bahar saga – have been rumbling around the car world for a long time. Will DRB-Hicom – who bought Proton, owners of Lotus, in 2011 – cut and run, or will they see Lotus as a possible jewel in their crown to be nursed back to health?

How safe are new minicars?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently tested a total of 11 minicars in its relatively new small-overlap crash test, and the Chevrolet Spark was the only one to earn an Acceptable rating. The small-overlap crash test was instituted in 2012 with the goal of better replicating real-life car crashes, most of which don't follow the pattern of traditional government crash tests. Instead of a car hitting a stationary object with 100 percent of its front making contact, the small-overlap test examines how a car behaves in a frontal impact at 40 mph where only a quarter of the car's front hits an object.

Fiat Panda 4x4

Fiat has unveiled a new 4x4 version of the third-generation Panda, which is set to make its world debut at the 2012 Paris motor next month. The 4x4 line of the Panda has a long history and in its previous itterations became known as one of the most versatile, robust but also likeable cars on the road. The default mode of transport for Southern European hill farmers, the Panda 4x4 has also developed something of a cult following in trendier Alpine resorts thanks to its functional-tough body clad aesthetic and handy small size.