Blog on 2040Parts

Shelby American to host Shelby Vegas bash

The 2014 Shelby Vegas Bash is set to begin April 14, leading right into the 50th birthday celebration of the Mustang Club of America. “With the Shelby Vegas Bash leading into the MCA 50th birthday celebration, we're expecting this year to be bigger and better than ever,” said Joe Conway, CEO of Shelby American. “This will be the first opportunity to host Shelby members and enthusiasts at our new world headquarters in the heart of Las Vegas.” The Pacific Coast Team Shelby Region will start the event with a 300-mile drive from Palm Springs, Calif., to the Shelby headquarters, which will have many cars on display, along with live music and a meet and greet.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe in the flesh: Geneva Motor Show

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe lands in Geneva The big news from BMW at the Geneva Motor Show has been the arrival of the production version of the new X4, rather overshadowing the European debut of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Which is a shame. It’s a shame because the 4 Series Gran Coupe is a very good looking car – as is its big brother, the 6 Series Gran Coupe – even if we struggle to see how BMW are going to manage to differentiate it sufficiently from the new 3 Series saloon.

Maserati Levante SUV confirmed for 2015 – Alfieri could arrive in 2016

The Maserati Levante SUV (pictured) will arrive in 2015 Fiat’s plans top revive the Maserati brand are off to a good start after sales grew strongly last year to more than 22,500 cars in the first nine months with the new Quattroporte and new Ghibli contributing strongly to those figures. But with a target of 50,000 sales a year, Maserati need new models too and the next in line for production is the Maserati Levante SUV, which Sergio Marchionne has now confirmed will arrive in production guise in 2015. It was expected the Levante would be a re-working of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, but with the Grand Cherokee selling in droves – and with a desire to make the Levante as ‘Italian’ as possible – it now looks like the Levante will get a version of the platform underpinning the Ghibli and use Maserati’s own 4WD system.

Fiat 500 1957 edition hits showrooms this spring

Fiat will introduce its limited production Fiat 500 1957 Edition that will arrive in showrooms late this spring. The Fiat takes design cues from its vintage Italian roots, giving buyers a throwback feel with its interior and exterior styling. Buyers can get into the 500 1957 starting at $21,200 including destination and handling fees.

Jaguar to end XK production after 18 years

Jaguar will this summer cease production of the XK 2+2 GT car after 18 years at the top of the Coventry firm’s model range. The decision to stop making the XK comes after the hugely successful launch of the F-Type – which, say analysts, has led to a big fall in XK sales as thousands of buyers queues up to buy the F-Type. Jaguar XK review (2009 onwards) Jaguar XKR-S Coupe review (2011 onwards) Some estimate Jaguar could triple its sports car volumes with the F-Type over the XK.

Jaguar sign up David Beckham as the face of Jaguar in China

Jaguar sign up David Beckham as the face of Jaguar in China Land Rover had a go at making Victoria Beckham the face of the Range Rover Evoque, and now Jaguar have taken Mr Spice on board as their new face of Jaguar in China. David Beckham has been revealed as a new Brand Ambassador for Jaguar, with the ubiquitous Mr Beckham front a centre in a new campaign in China to promote the Jaguar Brand. And it’s a good move.

One Lap of the Web: A podcast anniversary and a Facellia

-- Ford's F-350 can tow 35,000 pounds, which is pretty nifty. But it's lacking one crucial element in race-car transporting: it really could use Plymouth logos and a red, white and blue paint job with the word "REBEL" emblazoned on the side in the same lettering that announced Roosevelt's presidency. Hence, this 1965 Dodge C500 ramp truck built to look like something you could find in the paddock of Fontana Drag City circa 1965 with an altered-wheelbase Belvedere Funny Car on the back and a case of Tecate where the Mac tools go.

Beating the motoring bullies

A NEW INITIATIVE has been launched to help women protect themselves from aggressive drivers and potential dangers if their car breaks down. The Women in Gear scheme includes an evening workshop course to teach basic maintenance and useful get-you-home tips. These are aimed at helping women sort out minor problems with their car rather than having to wait at the roadside for help.

Jaguar signs up Beckham for Chinese team

First José Mourinho, now Jaguar has signed up David Beckham for its team of ambassadors to promote the new F-Type Coupé worldwide. Beckham will be kicking off his position in China, where’ll he be seen with the F-Type on billboards as well as in magazines and on TV. José Mourinho to get first F-Type Coupe The cars of David and Victoria Beckham “I’ve always been an admirer of Jaguar – from the styling and design to the feel and roar of the engine, every element feels uniquely British,” said Beckham.

Dimbleby’s Citroen DS for sale

DAVID DIMBLEBY'S 1972 Citroen DS21 is up for sale and expected to fetch £20,000 when it’s auction off. Finished in metallic grey paint, the iconic French saloon has been owned by Dimbleby since he discovered it underneath railway arches in Battersea, London. The car was being restored by a specialist there and Dimbleby fell in love with the car.

Concept Car of the Week: Renault Espace F1 (1994)

Co-developped with Matra, the Renault Espace was launched in 1984 and pioneered the now very popular minivan/MPV segment. The second-generation version appeared seven years later by which time the competition all had developed competitors. 1994 marked the tenth anniversary of the Espace as well as Renault's third Formula 1 championship as an engine supplier.

Jaguar XK production will end this summer

During its time under Ford's Premier Automotive Group umbrella, the Jaguar XK saw two iterations. The first was a much-needed replacement for the aging XJS. The second cribbed cues from the classic E-Type, as well as from designer Ian Callum's previous work at Aston Martin.

Detroit Autorama to host Golden Commandos and Ram Chargers drag-racing teams

Plenty of race-car drivers and automaker executives still remember the mantra, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” The Golden Commandos and Ram Chargers, two drag-racing teams that embody that motto, will make an appearance at the Detroit Autorama at Cobo Center on March 8, from 1-2 p.m. According to Chrysler, this is the only time they have appeared together since competing on the strip in the late 1960s. The Golden Commandos group was started in 1962 by Chrysler technicians, mechanics and engineers who worked in Highland Park, Mich.

Troubled Nurburgring race track finds buyer

Rex The legendary Nurburgring race track in Germany is set to be bought out by a consortium led by private investment group HIG capital, it emerged on Friday. The circuit has been burdened with enormous debts, went into administration in 2012, and has been looking for a new owner since last spring. HIG’s move will hopefully allay fears of car enthusiasts around the world, who visit the historic 13-mile track in droves to test the limits of both their car’s handling and their own skill.

Top 5 supercars of the 2014 Geneva motor show

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 07 March 2014 09:00 This year’s Geneva motor show hasn’t been the supercar-fest that 2013 was, when LaFerrari and the production-ready McLaren P1 were unveiled, along with the Porsche 911 GT3 and Lamborghini Veneno. Still, with a potential candidate for world’s fastest car and promising concepts from Maserati and Alfa Romeo in attendance this year, you don’t have to look far for Geneva exotica. Here’s the CAR Top 5.

Jordan sells off Formula One collection

FORMULA ONE commentator and former team boss Eddie Jordan is selling off his collection of racing cars and memorabilia to raise money for charity. The sale includes the very first Jordan F1 car that driven by Michael Schumacher. It comes complete with the German driver’s original racing helmet that Schumacher signed and gave to Eddie Jordan as a souvenir.

Is Apple CarPlay the iCar we've been waiting for?

Apple has finally announced its solution to in-car phone connectivity. But has the partnership with the big car brands created a connected car system we’ll all love? T3.com editor-in-chief Kieran Alger put CarPlay to the test at this week's Geneva Motor Show for MSN Cars.

Stobart To Keep On Trucking In £280M Sale Deal

FANS of the well known trucking business Eddie Stobart might be surprised to learn that the company has been sold. However, the iconic name won't vanish from the nation's roads despite the £280 million sale to investors. The business, which employs around 5,000 people and operates 2,300 vehicles, will be led by the founder's youngest son, William Stobart.

Fisker reborn as The New Fisker

The assets of Fisker may now belong to China's auto parts giant Wanxiang, but reports of the brand's demise have been greatly exaggerated. It was earlier believed that along with the technology and the debt that Wanxiang would be taking on, one thing they wouldn't get is the Fisker brand name itself. After all, in the relatively short history of struggling western automotive brands that have been bought up by Chinese automakers, brand names haven't always been part of the deal.

BMW X4 revealed: the £36,590 SUV-coupe

BMW has pulled the covers off its all-new X4 mid-size SUV coupe – the baby brother to the controversial but nevertheless popular BMW X6. Set to go on sale in the summer for prices starting from just under £37,000, the new BMW X4 is already being described as a thinking man’s Range Rover Evoque by one motor trade expert… but is sure to elicit controversy amongst enthusiasts too. Click on the image above to read all about the new BMW X4…

New Subaru WRX STI: Geneva Motor Show

The new Subaru WRX STI on the floor in Geneva We actually had the reveal of the new Subaru WRX STI at the Detroit Motor Show earlier in the year, but Subaru’s supercar-challenging saloon car has arrived in Geneva for its European debut. The new WRX STI may have lost some of its style from concept to production, but it does still offer cracking performance at an affordable price as a supercar toy for the Playstation generation. But even though the styling is rather uninspiring, the mechanicals hold more than an appealing mix of performance and dynamics.

Retro Tin-Top Racers Are Go

THRUXTON race circuit will be the venue for a new series of historic motorsport, as a championship for older touring cars will make its debut over the forthcoming Easter weekend. Thanks to the likes of Goodwood's popular Revival meeting for historically significant race cars, interest in such formats is on the rise. Along with genuinely historic machinery, the circuit will play host to the inaugural round of the new Super Touring Car Championship.

Barrett-Jackson welcomes Lincoln for the first time

For the first time in the company's 96-year history, Lincoln Motor Co. will participate in the Barrett-Jackson auction at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The entire 2014 Lincoln lineup will be on display at the event, and some will be available for attendees to use in an exclusive driving experience.

Car Design Review 1 yearbook now available to buy online

For the first time ever Car Design News is jumping from your desktop and onto your bookshelf. Car Design Review 1 – our new yearbook – is now available to buy online here. This book was a chance to step back and pull together all our content and give a broader and wider view of the way the industry and its products continue to evolve.

New BMW X4 looks a winner: Geneva Motor Show

The new BMW X4 (pictured) revealed at Geneva The arrival of the new BMW X4 at the Geneva Motor Show isn’t exactly a surprise, and nor is the fact that it’s very much the same as the X4 Concept we saw at the Shanghai Motor Show last year. What is perhaps a bit of a surprise is a price list that appears to price the new X4 about 15 per cent more than the comparable X3; the X4 xDrive 35d M Sport costing £48,990 compared to the X3 xDrive 35d M Sport at £42,900. Still, style comes at a price.

One Lap of the Web: It Ain't Easy Being Front-Engined

-- Twitter friend @dudehugs is a Weird Twitter savant and a curator of goofy license plates. To archive the world's silliest vanity plates, you have to understand your subject, comprehensively -- which is why his daily driver Ford Focus has a Louisiana plate that says "KANYE." Thusly inspired, someone decided to chronicle whether every state had a vanity plate dedicated to the notable fishstick connoisseur and hip-hop artist Kanye West: The United Plates of Kanye diligently checks DMV records to see if someone's driving around with KANYE proudly emblazoned. So far, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, and Nevada have their own mini Yeezys.

Baby Jag Gets A Name

LUXURY car maker Jaguar has released a teaser picture of its next new model, in advance of a full reveal later this year. Positioned below the firm's mid-size XF, the new XE is expected to do battle with the likes of BMW's 3 Series, Audi's A4 and Mercedes' C-Class. Industry experts are predicting a sub £30,000 entry price for the XE, which will be powered by a new range of Jaguar designed and built engines.

BMW X4 (2014) first official pictures

By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 06 March 2014 10:00 This is the new BMW X4. BMW’s latest niche-buster was previewed as a close-to-production concept in April 2013, but now you’re looking at the showroom-ready X4 that’ll reach UK dealerships in July 2014. In effect, yes.

Chrysler is crushing 93 pre-production Dodge Vipers

Chrysler has ordered 93 first-generation Dodge Vipers to be crushed, including what is believed to be the fourth Viper ever made. A Chrysler representative sent a letter to South Puget Sound Community College, which currently owns the Viper with VIN# 4, informing them that they must crush the car within two weeks. Automakers regularly donate unsellable non-street legal vehicles to automotive-engineering programs at colleges and universities, reserving the right to order the vehicles destroyed for insurance purposes.

Italdesign Giugiaro debuts electric Clipper MPV

The Volkswagen T-ROC wasn't the only Geneva Motor Show concept unveiled this week that uses the Golf platform, Italdesign Giugiaro unveiled an MPV concept that managed to turn quite a few heads. Italdesign is owned by Volkswagen, so this design and engineering exercise seemed like a no-brainer, allowing the company to show off an extra concept car in an entirely different wrapper. The Clipper an all-wheel drive six-seat MPV sitting on the MQB platform, which Volkswagen is keen to expand beyond the Golf and the next-generation Scirocco, and it features two electric motors producing 149-hp each, one for each axle.