Blog on 2040Parts
Nissan's second-generation Qashqai unveiled in London
Thu, 07 Nov 2013The second-generation Nissan Qashqai has been revealed at an event in London. Check out the gallery for the first images of the car ahead of the full story tomorrow morning, featuring exclusive interviews with Nissan head of design Shiro Nakamura and Darryl Scriven, design manager, Nissan Design Europe.
Nissan Qashqai (2014) revealed
Thu, 07 Nov 2013By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 07 November 2013 15:55 This is the new Nissan Qashqai, which will be built in Sunderland, UK, and goes on sale in January 2014. It's priced slightly higher than the outgoing Qashqai: the range will cover a £17-28k price range.To justify the price increase, the new Qashqai wears a sharper, more stylish body, and boasts more generous on-board kit levels across the line-up. With two million Qashqais sold worldwide since 2006, it is, in Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's own words, ‘The most important Nissan of the decade’.
New 2014 Nissan Qashqai revealed in pictures
Thu, 07 Nov 2013The new 2014 Nissan Qashqai was unveiled in London on Thursday - giving us the first glance at what will surely become one of the most popular family cars of 2014. Already a perennial favourite with British buyers, the second-generation Qashqai follows a similar recipe to its 2007 predecessor. The new Qashqai remains a chunky crossover, mixing the best bits of a tall SUV with the creature comforts of a family hatch.
Custom cars with an extreme sports theme at SEMA 2013
Thu, 07 Nov 2013The annual Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Car Show is one of the world's biggest events for modified motors. In short, if you want to check out the most weird, wonderful and wacky cars in the world, head for SEMA. And naturally, the event is held in Las Vegas.
MotoGP champ Valentino Rossi creates special Vauxhall Adam
Thu, 07 Nov 2013Nine-time motorcycling Grand Prix World Champion Valentino Rossi has teamed up with Opel to create a special version of its Adam city car. The Italian two-wheel demon collaborated with famous motorcycle helmet designer Aldo Drudi to create the one-off Adam (sold by Opel’s sister company Vauxhall here in the UK) – and boy, is it bright. On Bing: see pictures of the Vauxhall Adam Find out how much a used Vauxhall Adam costs on Auto Trader The car has been created with charity in mind, and will be donated to the not-for-profit Meyer Children’s Hospital Foundation – the unique Adam will go up for auction at a fundraiser this December, with all proceeds going to the organisation.
Don’t Expect Toyota’s New Cab To Go South Of The River
Thu, 07 Nov 2013LOOK familiar? Toyota certainly hopes so. The Japanese firm has unveiled, in concept form, an interpretation of the iconic London black cab.
UK new car registrations: 20 months of growth
Thu, 07 Nov 2013The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has once again increased its new car forecast for 2013. The news comes off the back of the 20th consecutive month of growth, with new car registrations up 4% in October. Last month’s total of 157,314 registrations brings the total to 1,952,238 in 2013 so far, leading the SMMT to up its forecast from 2.22 million to 2.25 million.
Citizens Advice receives 84,000 used car complaints
Thu, 07 Nov 2013With over seven million secondhand cars purchased in 2012, you’d expect one or two to develop a problem soon after purchase. But the Citizens Advice Bureau in fact received over 84,000 complaints about used cars during this period. Half of these faults developed within a month of purchase.
Petrol cars twice as likely to fail MOT on emissions
Thu, 07 Nov 2013The latest MOT test data shows that 26.2% of all cars tested fail on excess exhaust emissions – and surprisingly petrol cars fail more than twice as often as diesels in this part of the annual roadworthiness test. According to the official Vehicle Operator and Standard Agency (VOSA) figures, which cover all of 2010 and the first nine months of 2011, 9.7% of petrol cars failed to meet MOT emissions standards compared to just 3.9% of diesels. On Bing: see pictures of the MOT test Find out how much a used car with 12 months MOT costs on Auto Trader The analysis has been carried out by fuel additive “provider” Redex, which naturally has an interest in the findings, since its products are designed to breakdown engine deposits and improve efficiency.
Range Rover: why it is already battling Bentley
Thu, 07 Nov 2013Land Rover is already planning for the 2016 arrival of Bentley’s new SUV – and intends to make the Range Rover even more exclusive and expensive in order to do battle. “We are benchmarking Bentley quite closely,” admitted Range Rover vehicle integration manager Lynfel Owen. “The gap to the (expected £150,000) Bentley and today’s Range Rover (£71,310-£98,430) leaves lots of margin.” Why Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Jaguar are going SUV crazy Bentley SUV production confirmed Already, Land Rover has rolled out the new Long Wheelbase Range Rover and, next year, will launch a super-exclusive Autobiography Black trim line, with twin rear massaging captain’s chairs, electric business tables and champagne chiller.
Jaguar Reveals Hot Cat With A Tin Roof
Thu, 07 Nov 2013WITH interest still high regarding all thing F-Type, Jaguar is doing its upmost to keep the excitement at fever pitch with the release of an image of its hotly anticipated coupe variant. Expected to make its public debut at the forthcoming Los Angeles Motor Show, the tin-top version of Jaguar compact sports model promises to be as equally dramatic in the metal as its convertible cousin. Details are scarce ahead of its show launch, however it’s expected that the coupe will be available with the same three engines as the drop-top model.
Jaguar F-Type Coupe to make 2013 LA Motor Show debut
Wed, 06 Nov 2013Not a convertible fan but love the razor-sharp styling of the Jaguar F-Type? You’re in luck, as Jaguar has come good on its promise of a closed roof version and is set to unveil its new F-Type Coupe at the 2013 LA Motor Show. With V6 and V8 power, now the Porsche 911, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8 really have a fight on their hands.
One Lap of the Web: preservation-class edition
Wed, 06 Nov 2013-- This video about a preserved Volkswagen dealership in Brazil is in Portuguese, and even if you don't know Portuguese, it will still make sense to you if you're a car person. (Or, you can activate the English subtitles on YouTube, as it's an interesting story.) -- What's the best truck for scaling vertical surfaces? That's right, it's the Unimog, and this week there's a 1965 example (that would be the oval-faced version) on the eBays with a rather realistic Buy it Now price.
Jaguar F-type coupe (2013) overhead preview shot revealed
Wed, 06 Nov 2013By Ollie Kew First Official Pictures 06 November 2013 09:30 This is the first picture of Jaguar's new F-type coupe, which will be revealed in full at the Los Angeles motor show. Seen testing in the UK earlier in 2013, the new Porsche 911 rival will be powered by the same range of supercharged engines as the lairy soft-top. Apart from the (likely optional) glass roof and worryingly narrow boot aperture, the F-type coupe looks all but identical to the pretty C-X16 concept that first previewed the F-type back in 2011.
Hyundai offers crate V6s and fours at SEMA
Wed, 06 Nov 2013Crate engines are usually high-output, high-displacement, domestic motors from Ford, GM and Chrysler. Hyundai said no mas yesterday at SEMA, introducing its plan to offer the Lambda 3.8-liter V6 and Theta 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as crate engines for sale. The program begins next month.
Tesla loses $38 million in third quarter
Wed, 06 Nov 2013Tesla Motors, Inc. posted a net loss of $38 million on $431 million in revenue during the third quarter -- a steeper loss on slightly higher revenue than in the second quarter. In the third quarter of 2012, when Tesla was just starting production of the Model S, the automaker lost $111 million on $50 million in revenue.
New car sales up again in October (2013). Should hit 2.25 million by year end
Wed, 06 Nov 2013The Ford Fiesta (pictured) tops the UK new car list in October It’s another growing month for car sales in the UK, with SMMT reporting that new car sales in the UK for October 2013 rose by 4 per cent to 157,314 and registrations for 2013 so far up 10.2 per cent to 1,952,238. This is the 20th month in a row that new car registrations have increased, forcing the SMMT to increase its forecast for total 2013 sales to 2.25 million. Topping the sales charts is once again the Ford Fiesta which sold 8,574 – 65 per cent more than the Vauxhall Corsa in second place.
OFFICIAL: Jaguar F-Type Coupe Los Angeles debut
Wed, 06 Nov 2013The Jaguar F-Type Coupe (pictured) will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show The Jaguar C-X16 – the first look we had at the F-Type – was revealed two years ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and despite the F-Type Roadster arriving at the Paris Motor Show last year we still haven’t had the debut of the F-Type Coupe. But now Jaguar are finally ready to reveal the production version of the F-Type Coupe. It looks like Jaguar have planned a reveal for the F-Type Coupe similar to the one Land Rover did for the new Range Rover Sport – when Daniel Craig drove the new Sport across New York ahead of the opening of the show – as they tell us the F-Type Coupe will arrive on the eve of the Los Angeles Show.
Bisimoto turns Honda Odyssey into Veyron fighter
Wed, 06 Nov 2013Bisimoto Engineering didn't limit itself to Hyundai concepts at the 2013 SEMA Show. It also took a 2014 Honda Odyssey and turned it up to 11. Well, actually, 1,029 -- which is the nearly unbelievable amount of horses under the hood.
Brabus builds Mercedes-Benz B63S - 700 Widestar for Dubai Police
Wed, 06 Nov 2013It's not about catching the bad guy, it's about driving something so cool that the bad guy pulls over just to stare in awe at your police cruiser. Until now that meant Mercedes-Benz G55 AMGs in Eastern European capitals orthat one Lamborghini Gallardo from Italy that's been making the rounds on the Internet so long that even your grandmother knows what jurisdiction in Italy it belongs to and which autostrades it patrols. Well, we suspect that the bar for most spectacular police vehicle has been raised once again with the delivery of the 700-hp Brabus B63S - 700 Widestar G-class to the Dubai police and its appearance at the Dubai Motor Show.
£1.7m Bugatti Veyron ‘Meo Constantini’ edition revealed
Wed, 06 Nov 2013In a bid to eek a few more years out of its record-breaking Veyron hypercar, Bugatti has embarked on a series of Veyron ‘Legends’. This, the Veyron ‘Meo Constantini’ edition, is the third and latest instalment in the Legends line-up so far. Just three examples of the £1.7 million Bugatti will be made for those customers wanting an ultra-exclusive open top Veyron.
Analysis: why GM is pulling Chevrolet out of Europe
Wed, 06 Nov 2013The news that Chevrolet is to leave the western European car market (while staying in eastern Europe and Russia) is not a huge surprise, but it provides an interesting contrast to the success of fellow Koreans, Hyundai and Kia. “Fellow Koreans?” you might say, “but isn’t Chevrolet American?” Yes and no. The Chevrolets we were getting were all made in Korea in the factories that used to be owned by Daewoo, except for the handful of Camaros and Corvettes, which were authentically American.
Volvo S60 Long Wheelbase (S60L) goes in to production
Wed, 06 Nov 2013Volvo S60 Long Wheelbase (S60L) goes in to production Volvo certainly seems to be on the up at the moment, with new cars like the new V40 challenging established premium compacts and a complete new engine range in the offing. That is, to a great degree, down to the ownership of Volvo by China’s Geely after a period of stagnation under Ford, and now the Chinese ownership is starting to make strides in China. Chinese sales for Volvo are growing, and that’s going to be helped by a new long wheelbase version of the S60, built for the Chinese market in China and due to debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show later this month.
Autumn issue of Interior Motives magazine out now
Wed, 06 Nov 2013The autumn edition of Car Design News' quarterly interior design publication, Interior Motives magazine, is out now. As ever, it features in-depth design development articles on the most interesting and important concept and production vehicles launched in recent months. This issue's cover star is the Buick Riviera concept, first seen at the Shanghai show in April.
Record new car sales anticipated
Wed, 06 Nov 2013RECORD new car sales are expected for 2013 after last month's figures showed another strong increase. A total of 157,314 new cars were registered in October - a 4% rise on October last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. The October rise - the 20th successive monthly increase - took the year-so-far total to just over 1.95 million, a 10.2% rise on January-October last year.
Caterham motorbikes to be built in 2014
Wed, 06 Nov 2013Hot on the heels of the news that Caterham was making a surprise move into motorbike racing, the company has now revealed that it has launched its a new motorcycle division - Caterham Bikes. So for anyone who fancies the chance to enjoy that authentic wind-in-your-hair, flies-in-your-teeth experience, only with two fewer wheels, Caterham Bikes could be the company for you. Please click the image above to read more about the Caterham Bikes
Campaign to tackle used car faults
Wed, 06 Nov 2013A NEW INITIATIVE by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) to help the public avoid the dangers of buying a used car has been launched. It comes after research by the TSI that shows a half of all used cars show up with a fault within a month of being bought by a new owner. In the past 12 months, the TSI has received 84,000 complaints about used cars.
Hottest vehicles at the SEMA Show
Wed, 06 Nov 2013What's the coolest car, truck or SUV from among the 1,500 feature vehicles this year at SEMA? How would you even begin to agree on an answer? SEMA figured it out this way: they wandered through the halls and counted all 1,500 cars.
Drivers 'not prepared for winter'
Wed, 06 Nov 2013MANY DRIVERS are poorly prepared for the perils of winter motoring, according to the Highways Agency. As many as 45% of motorists do not make vehicle checks before the onset of bad weather and 28% do not take emergency kits. The agency's research also revealed that 53% of drivers do not even carry a de-icer.
F1 boss denies 'corrupt bargain'
Wed, 06 Nov 2013MOTORSPORT TYCOON Bernie Ecclestone has appeared at a High Court trial to defend himself against allegations that he made a "corrupt bargain" in a bid to stay at the top of Formula 1 racing. Mr Ecclestone has been accused of entering into a "corrupt agreement" with a banker to facilitate the sale of the Formula 1 group to a buyer "chosen" by him, A German media company says it lost out as a result of the deal and has taken legal action against Mr Ecclestone - chief executive of the Formula 1 group. Mr Ecclestone says Constantin Medien's claim "lacks any merit" and denies any "conspiracy".