99 00 01 02 03 04 05 Grand Am L. Frt Spindle/knuckle 527024 on 2040-parts.com

Audi R8 e-tron killed off for production – again

It’s more than six months since we reported that Audi were planning to kill off any production plans for the electric R8 e-Tron, with Audi’s head of R&D saying the production plans for the R8 were going to be scrapped. And it seems they have now gone in the bin. Autocar are reporting that Audi has confirmed to them that the R8 e-Tron won’t be going in to production and the ten latest e-Trons to be built will be used just for testing and development to help Audi with its ‘electrification’ plans, which will now almost certainly concentrate on plug-in hybrids and range extenders, rather than EVs.

Tiggywinkles get help from Toyota

ANIMAL CHARITY Tiggywinkles has a new supporter in the shape of Toyota GB, who have donated a new Hilux pick-up to help with its work in rescuing and caring for sick, injured or orphaned animals. The new Hilux Double Cab Invincible model will replace another Toyota model that was donated 20 years previously, and has covered thousands of miles in the process. Tiggywinkles, based near Aylesbury, has been rescuing, treating and rehabilitating British wildlife for more than 30 years.

Mercedes signs joint venture to build carbonfibre parts

Not to be outdone by BMW’s joint venture with the SGL Group to manufacturer commercially viable carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the electric Megacity Vehicle, Mercedes has announced a joint venture with Japanese company Toray Industries to manufacturer and market its on CFRP automotive parts. The deal was signed in Germany today, with Toray taking a 50.1% stake, Daimler holding 44.9% and the remaining 5% being taken by other shareholders. The two companies started working together in March 2010, and while Toray has been working on the materials and moulding processes, Merc has designed the automotive parts and the technologies to join the parts together.