Blog on 2040Parts

Lamborghini 350 GT, Jalpa featured at Techno Classica Essen

Techno Classica Essen is going on as we speak at Messe Essen in Germany. It offers a bit of everything -- a sort of car and motorcycle show mixed with a swap meet and a club meeting. And Lamborghini is there displaying its beautiful 1964 350 GT and a 1981 Jalpa.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer gets (slightly inappropriate) M Sport Package

The BMW 2 Series active Tourer moves to the butch side with an M Sport Package Purists moan, but the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV is a sensible move by BMW and aimed at BMW lovers who need a BMW equivalent to the Mercedes B Class; a premium family car for shifting kids and stuff around. Using the same platform as the all new MINI, the 2 Series Active Tourer is BMW’s first front wheel drive car, although a 225i Active Tourer will go on sale in November complete with BMW’s 4WD xDrive. But the 2 Series Active Tourer wouldn’t be a BMW offering unless it also came with the option of an M Sport Pack, which is exactly what will be on offer – however unsuited the Active Tourer may seem for such sporty embellishments – when the xDrive Active Tourer arrives in November (although the M Sport Pack will be offered across the whole Active Tourer range).

David Brown’s Speedback is an Aston Martin DB5 for 2014 (video)

The David Brown Automotive Speedback (pictured) revaled ahead of Monaco debut Last month we revealed that the David Brown Automotive’s take on a classic, luxury British Sports Car would be based on the underpinnings of the Jaguar XKR, and we’d expected another classic E-type creation like the Lyonheart K being built by Envisage (as is the David Brown car). In fact, the David Brown Speedback – for that is what David Brown is calling his company’s creation – looks instead like a classic Aston Martin from the 1960s – think DB5 or DB6 – with perhaps a few hints of Maserati and Ferrari from the same era too. And it looks great.

Motorway drink-driver to be sentenced

A CARE ASSISTANT who admitted drink-driving the wrong way along a motorway will be sentenced today. Katy Homer, 26, is due to attend Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges of driving with excess alcohol and dangerous driving. CCTV footage of the incident showed oncoming drivers flashing their headlights as Homer drove her Vauxhall Astra north on a southbound section of the M5 in the West Midlands.

Ecclestone faces £4 million bill

MOTORSPORT boss Bernie Ecclestone must pay lawyers' bills adding up to about £4 million despite winning a High Court fight with a German media company, a judge has ruled. In February, Mr Justice Newey had dismissed a claim for around £80 million in damages by Constantin Medien - which had said it lost out after Mr Ecclestone entered into a "corrupt agreement" with a banker to facilitate the sale of the Formula 1 Group to a buyer chosen by him. But, despite ruling against Constantin after a High Court trial in London, the judge had described 83-year-old Mr Ecclestone as not "reliable or truthful".

New range-topping BMW X7 SUV confirmed

BMW has officially confirmed it will add a new range-topping SUV called the X7 to its lineup. The X7 will be the largest SUV ever produced by BMW, offering seating for up to seven in three rows of seats. X7 production will start in 2016 at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

Italy auctions government cars

OFFERS started rolling in on unneeded government Alfa Romeo, Lancia and BMW cars, which prime minister Matteo Renzi is auctioning off on eBay as a sign of his seriousness in tackling government waste. Renzi has pledged to sell 151 vehicles by April 16, saying he was taking a cue from the former mayor of Florence - himself - who auctioned off four cars early in his term. Besides cashing in, the government will save on upkeep, maintenance and running costs.

Here's what an exploded car looks like

Automotive art crosses our desks almost daily here at One Autoweek Tower. Some of it's good, and some of it isn't as good, but once in a while, we see something that actually makes us stop and look. “Hatch” and “Disintegrating” by Swiss artist Fabian Oefner are two of those stop-and-look moments.

Photos reveal the all-new Ford Mustang -- of 1979

If you need further proof that everything old is new again, just look at the engine options for the upcoming 2015 Ford Mustang. That optional 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four is generating a lot of buzz; it's expected to help keep the car sporty while cutting down on fuel consumption, and it's going to help the Mustang make headway in overseas markets. Adding a turbo-four to the pony car equation isn't exactly novel: The Blue Oval put a forced-induction motor with the same cylinder count, configuration and displacement in the 1979 Mustang.

Bertone's fate to be decided at the end of April

Bertone's most recent financial troubles have been far from secret – its no-show at the Geneva motor show confirmed our fears – but until now the company hasn't released an official statement about its situation. However the UK newspaper the Telegraph has gained access to a company spokesperson who confirmed that "the problem is many debts and very high costs. At the moment everything is blocked.

Volvo’s KERS system improves performance and cuts fuel use.

The Volvo S60 with KERS Flywheel (pictured) boosts economy and performance As car makers continue to get bashed by more and more stringent CO2 targets from governments around the world, cleverer solutions are called for to squeeze the best performance and economy balance possible from their products. And Volvo’s new Flywheel KERS system does look promising. Volvo are currently running UK tests of a KERS flywheel system developed by Flybrid Automotive, which takes kinetic energy generated under braking and stores it in a flywheel fitted to the back axle.

New Range Rover Sport hits a BCA Auction for the first time

The New Range Rover Sport crosses the auction block for the first time Where do Land Rover dealers get their best used cars from? A closed Land Rover sale run by BCA for dealers where there’s the pick of used Land Rover and Range Rover models to choose from, that’s where. And at this week’s closed Land Rover auction at BCA in Nottingham the first examples of the new Range Rover Sport where on offer, and fetched strong prices.

Volvo V40 gets new Drive-e D4 and T5 engines

The Volvo V40 (pictured) gets Volvo’s new Drive-e engines Last year Volvo revealed its new, efficient and flexible Drive-e engines and plans to offer them in the S60, V60 and XC60 with a 179bhp D4 and a 302bhp T6. Now, the new Volvo V40 is getting Drive-e powertrains. Both the V40 and the V40 Cross Country are getting Drive-e engine options, with both the D4 diersel and T5 petrol coming on-stream from May 2014.

Toyota TS040 Hybrid (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 27 March 2014 12:00 Toyota has shown its hand as the titanic clash of the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans draws ever closer. This is the Toyota TS040 Hybrid, which will fight the Audi R18 Ultra and Porsche 919 Hybrid for LMP1 honours this year. It’s the biggest (and possibly the best-sounding) engine of the three LMP1 big-hitters.

Drive cars for free at Ford EcoBoost Challenge

Ford is giving potential customers a chance to drive its EcoBoost turbocharged, direct-injected vehicles in the fashion they were intended: on the track. The company is kicking off its EcoBoost Challenge, taking place in 12 cities across the U.S. starting April 12.

Nissan recalls nearly one million vehicles for airbag problem

Nissan is recalling nearly one million vehicles for a problem with the airbags. The occupant classification system (OCS) may incorrectly think that the passenger seat is empty when it is occupied by an adult, failing to activate the airbag in a collision. Cars affected include the 2013-2014 Leaf, Altima, Pathfinder and Sentra, as well as the 2013 NV200, 2013 JX35, 2014 QX60 and the 2014 Q50.

Geely's new Shanghai design studio at the center of four-studio operation

Geely Group's new central Shanghai Design Center is the global hub of its four-studio design operations. The facility on Guozhan Road, Pudong New District was formerly the site of the Central American Union Pavilion during the 2010 Shanghai EXPO and was chosen for its potential for growth despite its downtown location. The 3,800 square meter studio will be home to around 110 staff – both local and international – over the coming months, as part of the company's ongoing recruitment drive as it strives to be seen as one of the leading Chinese players.

2015 Ford Mustang GT gets launch control and Track Apps standard

When the 2015 Ford Mustang GT comes out later this year, it will be able to order a Domino's pizza for you. Technically speaking, you'll have to have ordered from the company before, and have the app on your smartphone. Then you can meet the delivery driver, hopefully tipping well, in your driveway.

David Brown Automotive Speedback sports classic looks, modern performance

A new 510-hp, V8-powered British sports car has broken cover in London, boasting classically inspired styling, a hand-built aluminum body, crafted interior trim and a $400,000 price tag, Created by a new company, David Brown Automotive, the Speedback is a prototype built on a Jaguar XKR platform with the aim of delivering a “vision of a classic-looking sports car without compromising modern convenience and features.” Drive comes from the XKR's supercharged 5.0-liter V8, unmodified and boasting 510 hp and 461 lb-ft, mated to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. The 3,968 lb. curb weight is very similar to that of the donor car, so performance and economy figures are also similar: 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph.

David Brown Automotive Speedback revealed

All-new British sports car brand David Brown Automotive has revealed its first production GT car, the Speedback, prior to its world debut at the Top Marques Monaco event in April. The new Speedback is based on the Jaguar XKR and uses its supercharged 5.0-litre V8 motor to produce over 500hp. It’s been 18 months in development and has been engineered in Coventry – and will use hand-crafted bodywork produced in the automotive city, too.

What would the Ninja Turtles drive?

The new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” live-action trailer made its online debut today. The four heroes in a half shell are back in New York, with a tarted-up Megan Fox playing April O'Neil -- somehow without red hair. William Fichtner plays The Shredder, and Danny Woodburn plays sensei Splinter.

Government sets drug-drive limits

Plans to introduce a drug-drive limit have edged closer as limits for 16 different drugs have been approved. Eight prescription and eight illicit drugs have been added to the regulations which will be introduced this autumn, meaning it’ll be an offence to be over the prescribed limits. Police ‘spitalyser’ to catch drug-drivers Young people in drug-driving shock Police will be clamping down on people who drive after taking drugs such as cannabis with a limit of 2 micrograms per litre (mcg/l), cocaine (10mcg/l) and ecstasy (10mcg/l) – while people who take prescription drugs like morphine (80mcg/l) and diazepam (550mcg/l) will also have to be careful not to break the limit.

Ford spoofs Cadillac ELR with latest ad

Rule Number One of advertising is, "kick 'em when they're down." Or was that Sun Tzu...or Bone Thugs-N-Harmony? Either way, while Cadillac catches flak for its controversial ELR ad, the above Ford ad with a C-Max Energi is either a shameless ripoff or a smashing riposte. (This, of course, depends on your affinity for European-derived plug-in crossovers.) Instead of a white guy, it's a black lady.

Camaro Z/28 Indy 500 pace car revealed by Chevrolet

Chevrolet has taken the wraps off the pace car for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500: It'll be the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. Veteran race car driver Dario Franchitti will be piloting the Camaro Z/28 around the track on race day, May 25. 2014 will mark the eighth time that a Camaro has been chosen as the official pace car for the race, with 1967 being the first time that a Camaro has lead the pack around the course.

Rod's rare Lamborghini up for sale

A RARE LAMBORGHINI once owned by Rod Stewart is being sold - for nearly £1 million. The singer bought the two-door Lamborghini Miura P400S brand new in 1971, when it did 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds with a top speed of 171mph - the fastest road car of its kind in the world at the time. The pristine four-litre blue sports car with silver trim has recently undergone a £100,000 restoration and is being sold on AutoTrader for £899,999.

Fewer commuters but longer journeys

PEOPLE ARE TRAVELLING further to get to work but the number of commuters is falling as more staff work from home, according to official figures. Based on Census statistics, the average distance travelled to work in England and Wales increased from 8.3 miles (13.4km) in 2001 to 9.32 miles (15km) in 2011. Those living in the Midlands and south west England had the largest increase in average distance travelled between 2001 and 2011 - going an extra 1.36 miles (2.2km).

Bungling thief caught after stealing hire car's steering wheel

A DIM-WITTED criminal has been convicted of theft after stealing parts of a brand new Audi A3 hire car and replacing them with old bits taken from his much older Audi S3. Alexander Keating, a 23-year-old former bodyshop technician who lost his job following the conviction, stole parts as obvious as the steering wheel and gear knob from the A3 that his mum had hired after damaging her car in an accident. Keating foolishly believed no one would notice the battered old steering wheel on the otherwise shiny, new car, but sure enough the mismatched parts were spotted and the hapless bungler was caught by the car hire firm’s bespoke anti-fraud team Asset Protection Unit (APU).

80 mph speed limit: Idaho and Wyoming poised to be next

Idaho and Wyoming could soon see 80 mph speed limits introduced to a number of highways, joining Texas and Utah as the states with some of the fastest permitted passenger car-driving speeds, KMVT-TV in Idaho is reporting. A bill in Idaho would see some sections of interstates go from 75 mph to 80 mph, and other selected highways go from 65 mph to 70 mph, which are probably speeds that drivers are doing anyway in remote and not-so-remote parts of both states. But the Idaho Transportation Department did not lend its support to the bill even though it is given the authority to implement it.

Celebrity cars up for grabs: from Rod Stewart's Lambo to Arthur Daley's Jag

It’s celebrity fever in the world of used cars at the moment. Not only has Rod Stewart’s old Lamborghini Miura just been put up for sale, but auctions in the UK and US also have everything from an EastEnders milk float and Arthur Daley’s Daimler to star cars of the latest Hollywood blockbusters up for grabs. Click on the image above to see our highlights...

Button blasts noise detractors

JENSON BUTTON has delivered a damning response to any Formula One driver bemoaning the sport's current lack of noise. The piercing scream of the old 2.4-litre V8 engines has been replaced by the more textural sound of the new 1.6-litre V6 turbo-charged power units, and it has caused a considerable furore. Following the Australian Grand Prix race chairman Ron Walker was left fuming, suggesting he had grounds for a lawsuit as he felt the lack of sound compromised his contract with Bernie Ecclestone.