99 00 Honda Civic Rear Bumper Assy Sdn 4 Dr 1447304 on 2040-parts.com

Better Place EV Battery Swap business goes bust

It seemed like a good idea: take the cost of batteries out of the cost of buying an electric car and instead charge EV owners to use ‘Battery Swap’ stations where depleted batteries could be swapped for fully charged ones in the time it takes to fill an ICE car with petrol. But it’s all gone a bit Pete Tong. Better Place – which partnered with Renault in 2009 to make the battery swap technology viable – has failed to find anyone to add to the $750 million already involved in the project and has filed for bankruptcy.

Pumpkin-carving ideas for Porsche fans and other car geeks

As Halloween approaches, most of you are probably asking the all-important question: "What kind of cool, car-related pumpkin carving can I do?" The folks over at PorschePurist have the answer: a Porsche jack-o'-lantern. All you need is a pumpkin big enough for some detailed carving work, a template or two and a steady hand. We won't give away the rest, but a Dremel tool isn't a bad thing to have handy, either.

BMW 4-Series Coupe concept [w/Gallery]

The BMW 4 Series Coupe concept will make its debut at next month's NAIAS in Detroit, when it will become the first model to wear the new 4er badge as it distances itself from the 3 Series sedan. While billed as a concept it is believed to be virtually production-ready. It offers little in the way of surprises in the wake of the F10 3 Series and larger 6 Series with traditional short front and long rear overhang proportions.