400ex Stator on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin Cygnet. It’s a real Aston Martin. Honest.

The Aston Martin Cygnet – the ‘Vision’ video below Let’s get this out of the way, just in case you don’t read here very often and don’t know. We’re big Aston Martin fans. We think that Aston Martin produce works of art that just happen to be hugely enjoyable to drive (with a few caveats – but that’s for another time).

Lexus IS (2013) more details of new 3-series rival

Lexus has pulled the cloth back on the all-new Lexus IS at the 2013 Detroit motor show, and announced more details of its new hybrid 3-series rival. This will be the first hybrid Lexus IS, and UK sales will start in summer 2013.  What do we know about the new hybrid Lexus IS?  The IS300h combines an electric motor with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The torque output is yet to be confirmed, but there's 217bhp and Lexus is aiming for a sub-100g/km CO2 output and fuel consumption of at least 65mpg. Figures like that are likely to grab the attention of fleet managers, as Lexus hopes to close the gap on rivals like the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-class and Audi A4.  There's a non-hybrid model too, but this IS250 will be powered by a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine. It won't be a fleet favourite.  The IS250h has a six-speed automatic transmission, the IS300h has a CVT gearbox, and both cars are rear-wheel drive.

BMW teams up with U.S. Olympic Committee

The ultimate driving machine is helping Team USA reach for gold medals. BMW Group announced on Monday that it has been named the official mobility partner of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) through 2016. BMW will also work with four national governing bodies, USA bobsled and skeleton, speed skating, swimming and track and field.