Blog on 2040Parts

Renault Laguna

Renault has released photos of the all-new upper-medium segment Laguna five-door hatchback and estate that will compete with the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 407 and Volkswagen Passat in European markets. The new Laguna is a conservative evolution of the themes introduced in 2000 with the second generation Laguna: the hatchback moving further towards a sedan-like profile, while the estate model has a more sporting character from its steeply raked wraparound rear screen and horizontal lamps. The Laguna's most notable design features include the angular front and rear lamp design, and a distinctive plunging shoulder line, which is echoed in the sweeping IP form.

6th l'argus Design Competition announced

This week French magazine L'argus de l'automobile launches its 6th Utility Vehicle European Design competition. The contest runs until the 5th November, with the task to design a new commercial vehicle on the theme: "How to optimize urban goods delivery in large cities". Traffic flow is an issue for most of today's cities.

BMW Hydrogen 7-series

By Ben Whitworth Motoring Issues 04 June 2007 07:01 BMW is upping its green credentials with the delivery of a fleet of hydrogen-powered 7-series that will go on chauffeur duty throughout the UK this summer. The eight production-ready Hydrogen 7 luxo-barges are produced on the same production line as the standard 7-series in Munich and meet all current safety and crash regulations. They form part of a 100-strong fleet of liquid hydrogen–powered 7-series models that spearhead BMW’s CleanEnergy programme, and in the UK will be used at high-profile events around the country to underline their environmental profile.

Goodwood Festival Of Speed

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 04 June 2007 07:40 This year’s Festival of Speed is shaping up to be one of the biggest and hottest gathering of fast cars and motorbikes the world has ever seen. Running under the theme of ‘Breaking Records and Pushing Boundaries’, the three-day adrenaline-fuelled carnival will focus on the 100th anniversaries of both Brooklands and the Isle of Mann TT, as well as celebrating 60 years of Ferrari, 20 years of the World Superbike Championship and the fastest cars in the world from the Bonneville Speed Week. Running from 22-24 June, the Festival will feature everything from the Sunbeam V12 350hp that set the final Land Speed Record at Brooklands to the Andy Green-piloted JCB Dieselmax which last year set the Diesel Land Speed Record.

Renault Laguna (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 June 2007 12:06 New Renault Laguna: the lowdown Renault's big-selling Laguna will be replaced in the autumn autumn with this distinctive new family car. Okay, so it's not the most radical car Renault has ever produced, but it does usher in some interesting developments from La Régie, as it chases down the new Ford Mondeo and forthcoming Vauxhall Vectra. For starters, the Laguna is the latest car to be lighter than the model it replaces; despite being longer, wider and taller, it's an average 15kg skinnier across the range, which should boost performance, economy and emissions.

Ford Mondeo goes green

By Ben Barry First Official Pictures 03 June 2007 01:57 New Mondeo spearheads Ford's ramp-up of bio-fuel models Ford announced an expansion in its flexifuel range. Flexifuel allows a vehicle to run on either regular petrol or E85 – an 85/15 percent bio-ethanol/petrol blend – and automatically offsets any carbon emissions produced because more crops are always produced to meet the demand for fuel. Ford president and CEO John Fleming confirmed that the existing Focus and C-Max flexifuel cars would be joined by Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max derivatives, which will all come on stream from early 2008.

Saab steps up green drive

By Mark Walton Motor Shows 03 June 2007 01:58 Saab goes bio-power crazy Saab is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year with a further push into the very topical biofuels arena, and Geneva showcases two new examples of the Swedes' growing green commitment. First is the new 9-3 Biopower, a full range of saloon, estate and convertible 9-3s, all powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that's been modified to run on both unleaded and E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent petrol). The mechanical changes include hardened valves and valve seats, and a new stainless steel fuel tank and ancilliaries, adding up to what's expected to be a £600 premium in the showroom over the standard 9-3.

Budget hits gas-guzzlers

By Ben Pulman Motor Industry 03 June 2007 02:00 Gordon Brown’s budget didn’t throw up too many surprises; after all, we expected him to take more money out of the motorist’s pocket. Below are the changes due over the next three years. An increase of 2p per litre this year, 2p in 2008-09, and 1.84p in 2009-10.

Koenigsegg CCXR (2007): first official pictures

By Ben Whitworth First Official Pictures 03 June 2007 02:01 A green Koenigsegg? Surely some mistake? For those who find themselves a little underwhelmed by the 806bhp power output of CAR April's cover star, the Koenigsegg CCX, check out the new CCXR.

Koenigsegg CCXR

Koenigsegg CCXR By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 03 June 2007 02:01 A green Koenigsegg? Surely some mistake? For those who find themselves a little underwhelmed by the 806bhp power output of CAR April's cover star, the Koenigsegg CCX, check out the new CCXR.

Emissions crackdown confirmed

By Tim Pollard Motoring Issues 03 June 2007 02:32 The European Commission today confirmed plans to force car makers to cut tailpipe emissions by 18 percent over the next five years. As exclusively predicted by CAR Online last month, the EC is proposing an average CO2 limit of 130g/km by 2012 - down from an average of 162g/km last year. Manufacturers missing the new target would be fined heavily.

Government CO2 cock-up

By Richard Yarrow Motoring Issues 03 June 2007 02:32 Britain’s new eco-motoring scheme postponed Plans to help Britain’s drivers choose the greenest car for their budget have been thrown into chaos, CAR Online can reveal. The launch of a new Government website for motorists – called www.actonco2.co.uk – has been cancelled just 16 hours before it was to go live. Amazingly, the Department for Transport (DfT) has admitted the eleventh hour delay was because it realised the CO2 data to published wasn’t accurate.

Mini cleans up its act

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 03 June 2007 02:33 Minis clean up Mini today announced it will fit many of the Efficient Dynamics tech already seen on the 1-series to all new hatchbacks fitted with the new PSA engines. The result? A Cooper D will now emit just 104g/km of CO2 - matching the signficantly more expensive Toyota Prius.

Toyota FT-HS Concept (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 03 June 2007 02:33 Toyota FT-HS Concept: the lowdown Salvation for supercar lovers in the 21st century: Toyota has turned its hand to creating a sports coupe with green credentials - and the futuristic FT-HS Concept mixes green with mean rather well, we think. Don't believe us? Well, how about 0-60mph in four seconds and 400bhp from a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid drivetrain - in a car that runs silently on electric power through town, with nothing more troubling than an electric whirr from the quad tailpipes.

Lexus readies hybrid LS with V12 grunt, V6 economy

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 03 June 2007 02:34 Lexus claims its new LS600h hybrid will return 29.7mpg – despite having 444bhp on tap. The company has announced new details of its flagship hybrid, which gets a European premiere at September's Paris motor show. Lexus claims that the petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain offers the performance of a V12, but with V6 fuel economy and emissions.

Toyota Hybrid X unveiled

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 03 June 2007 02:34 Toyota Hybrid X: that's an odd name... Apparently, the Hybrid X was named after its unconventional U-shaped front and rear windscreen pillars. Seen in plan view from above, they nearly meet in the middle to assume the shape of an X.

Hybrid Lexus goes endurance racing

By Phil McNamara Motor Industry 03 June 2007 02:35 A track-honed version of Lexus' GS450h hybrid saloon has completed a 24 hour Japanese endurance race. The racer ran the production car's powertrain: a 292bhp V6 petrol engine supplemented by 197bhp from an electric motor. This petrol-electric hybrid delivers the power of a V8, but with combined fuel consumption closer to that of a four-cylinder engine.

College Exhibition: Royal College of Art - Connections

First year Vehicle Design students at the Royal College of Art were given a brief to develop a car that would achieve universal individual mobility for people of all ages living in rural environments. Using intelligent systems technology, new materials and means, and retaining high standards of sustainability, the students were asked: what are the vehicles for tomorrow's countryside? Five different groups consisting of three students devised several very different proposals to answer this question.

Mazda's rotary spins to its 40th

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 31 May 2007 02:03 Mazda yesterday celebrated 40 years of making rotary engines. It remains the only mainstream manufacturer persisting with this type of motor and has built 1.97 million of them since 1967. Rotary engines came to prominence in the 1950s as manufacturers experimented with turbine engines, but most admitted defeat in the face of technical difficulties and the inherent thirst of rotary units.

New Longbridge production line

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 31 May 2007 10:10 Reborn MG opens its doors at Longbridge Yesterday marked the latest chapter in one of the genuine rollercoaster stories of our times: the rise and fall – and now yet another recovery – of car production at Longbridge, the spiritual home of some of the most famous nameplates in British car manufacturing. This time it’s the rebirth of MG, now in Chinese hands and back from a near-death experience since MG Rover collapsed in April 2005. Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) is the oldest car maker in China and paid £50 million to snap up the MG brand and manufacturing rights, but can it really stand a chance with its new English project?  The Chinese manufacturer is reviving the MG brand and, in Europe, the first model on sale will be the revised TF roadster on sale around September 2007.

Kia Picanto facelift (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 30 May 2007 03:37 Facelifted Kia Picanto: the lowdown Kia is a company on the up and it knows not to mess with a successful formula. So when its best-selling car needs replacing, they don't mess around much. The result?

Seat's Mondeo rival (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 30 May 2007 09:41 Seat launches a Mondeo rival Volkswagen's Spanish outpost is to expand its range upwards, entering the hotly contested Mondeo class for the first time. There's no name yet for the newcomer, but one badge in contention is Bolero, the name of its 1998 sports saloon concept. Details are sketchy at this stage, but Seat has confirmed it will offer a saloon and estate version, and they'll roll into dealership in 2009.

Who's Where: Lorenzo Ramaciotti appointed Chief of Design for Fiat Group

Starting June 1, 2007 Lorenzo Ramaciotti will become the new Group Chief of Design at Fiat Group Automobiles. Ramaciotti was snatched up by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and convinced to head the company's design direction, filling a newly created position that hasn't previously existed at Fiat. Lorenzo Ramaciotti, who retired from Pininfarina in June 2005 after working for the famed coachbuilder for 32 years, will be responsible for all the Fiat Group brands, including Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Maserati.

Volkswagen's New DSG Gearbox

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 26 May 2007 06:27 Volkswagen has unveiled its next-generation seven-speed DSG transmission - and as you’d expect, it’s lighter, smaller and more efficient. The new paddle-shift gearbox, codenamed DQ200, uses a pair of dry organic-bonded friction linings that don't require cooling in preference to the six-speed version’s twin wet clutches. The system also requires less power for the gear selection and clutch servo system, boosting fuel efficiency and powertrain performance.

Who's Where: Chrysler's new Design VPs

Following the recent acquisition of a majority stake in the Chrysler Group by Cerburus comes the announcement that there will be a reshuffling at Chrysler's North American design offices.  Joseph Dehner and Brandon Faurote will be taking over Vice President positions at the product design offices in Auburn Hills, replacing Thomas Tremont and David McKinnon. Joseph Dehner will be replacing David McKinnon as Vice President for Small, Premium and Family Vehicle Design on June 1, 2007, moving up from his position as Director of Truck Exterior and Interior Design.

Seat Altea Freetrack (2007): first official pictures

By Jack Carfrae First Official Pictures 22 May 2007 10:19 Seat Altea Freetrack: the lowdown Seat has given the Altea some wellington boots to join the burgeoning ranks of wannabe soft-roader 4x4s. First seen in concept guise at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, the Altea Freetrack is Seat's first-ever attempt at an off-roader. However, an extra 40mm of ground clearance, some chunky tyres and aesthetically challenging grey cladding don’t necessarily mean that the Freetrack is going to beat a Defender to the top of the hill.

Interior Motives China Conference 2007

There are 1.3 billion people in China, with 38 million cars between them. 7 million new cars were sold last year, nearly 9 million are expected to sell this year - a growth rate of over 25%. Of the 140 different Chinese car companies, the top ten are responsible for 85% of sales.

Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 concept (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 17 May 2007 04:44 VW Golf GTI W12: the lowdown We loved the Clio V6, despite its dynamic shortcomings, and some CAR staffers still go weak at the knees at the mention of a Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 rally car. But now Volkswagen is muscling in on the mad-hatch genre by showing this one-off Golf GTI W12. You read that right.

Chrysler sold in £3.76 billion deal

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 17 May 2007 09:38 Chrysler has been sold. In one of the biggest private equity deals seen in the automotive industry, Cerberus Capital Management has purchased 80.1% of Chrysler in a £3.76billion deal, leaving DaimlerChrysler with the remaining 19.9% stake in the loss-making company. The move marks the close of arguably the most high-profile transatlantic merger and shuts the door on Canadian car assembly giant Magna and billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, who last month offered £2.27billion for Chrysler.

Audi TT Clubsport Quattro concept car (2007): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 16 May 2007 04:20 Audi TT Clubsport Quattro: the full lowdown Inspired by the Porsche 356, Audi has lopped the top off its TT Roadster to make this speedster version of its two-seater. The TT Clubsport Quattro, unveiled today in Austria, is a concept car to show how far the TT brand can be stretched, but officials freely admit that they are considering a limited production run. It's a TT like no other, squashed and squat, flattened to create a low-slung sports car for those living in dry climates where the occasional rain storm isn't a worry.