Blackcorvette Hood Decals C4 on 2040-parts.com

A look at Volvo future products

Volvo wants to derive economies of scale from a new front-wheel-drive architecture called SPA, for Scalable Platform Architecture. The redesigned XC90 crossover due in 2014 will be the first to use the architecture. SPA was designed for a new family of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines that Volvo will begin using on existing models next fall.

MINI Cooper S under investigation in U.S. over fires

MINI Cooper S investigation in US over Fires The MINI has been a big success in the US, and an even bigger success when you consider the American penchant for cars the size of a small aircraft carrier. And one of the favourite MINIs in the US is the hottest version of the MINI – the Cooper S. But following a spate of reports about the MINI Cooper S catching fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has set up an investigation to try and see if there’s a common problem.

Vauxhall Ampera Hybrid – No range anxiety

The Vauxhall Ampera goes on a 350 mile run We’ve been moaning quite a bit about the claims being made by car makers for their electric cars. We understand that a big drawback for buyers is ‘Range Anxiety’, a completely understandable concern when you can’t exactly pull over and top up your electric. So we asked Secretary of State Philip Hammond to look at legislation on range claims by electric car makers so buyers can make a judgement on the facts, not the fiction.