Blog on 2040Parts

New Jaguar XE gets a Stella McCartney makeover for Paris Fashion week

Stella McCartney with the Superhero Jaguar XE Jaguar’s big hope for breaking in to the compact premium sector – the Jaguar XE – and taking on the might of the German premium brands will debut in public at next month’s Paris Motor Show. But actually, it’ll get a bit of an airing before that. As part of Jaguar’s #FeelXE publicity campaign, they’ve enlisted the help of fashion designer Stella McCartney to get the new XE out and about in Paris before the Motor Show debut.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept S revealed – it’s a ‘Sporty & Sophisticated’ Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept S revealed. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – the plug-in hybrid version of Mitsubishi’s Outlander – is a terrific buy, if not quite a terrific car, with its plug-in hybrid drivetrain making it a very tax-efficient company car and its price – the same as the diesel alternative – a refreshing surprise. But Mitsubishi are intent on cashing-in on the Outlander PHEV’s success, and earlier this month we got a tease for an Outlander PHEV S which has now been revealed ahead of a debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

Toyota C-HR Concept revealed as a funky urban crossover

Toyota C-HR Concept revealed as a funky urban crossover Last week we had a tease for the Toyota C-HR Concept and now, with its debut just over a week away at the Paris Motor Show, Toyota has revealed the first couple of photos. Likely based on the Auris – and arriving in 2015 as the Toyota Auris Cross – the C-HR Concept is a funky, high-riding urban crossover aimed at the burgeoning crossover market and destined to slot in below the RAV-4. What the C-HR Concept also does is preview a more cutting-edge design language from Toyota with shallow headlights merging in to the front grill, vertical running lights, big haunches, oversized wheels (which are unlikely to make production) and boomerang-shaped LED tail lights.

Toyota C-HR concept

Add the Toyota C-HR crossover concept to your list of new cars to see at the Paris motor show next week. When Toyota launched the original RAV4 in 1994, it also introduced a new market segment: the crossover. Over the past 20 years, rather like the crossover segment, the RAV4 has grown much larger in size while morphing into a more traditional small SUV.

Singapore Grand Prix (2014) RESULT

Singapore Grand Prix (2014) RESULT Qualifying for today’s Singapore Grand Prix was a close fought affair, with not much more than half a second separating the top nine, and just seven thousands of a second splitting pole and second. So will Mercedes be able to pull-off another one-two win at Sepang? Actually, no, they couldn’t, but that’s because Nico Rosberg had electrical problems before the start and had to join the race from the pit lane, and ended up retiring as the electrical gremlins proved terminal.

Infiniti opens London design studio

Shiro Nakamura, Alfonso Albaisa and Simon Cox have officially opened Infiniti Design London, as Nissan's premium brand becomes fully separated. "We have a clear vision to make Infiniti a key premium brand," said Nakamura, senior VP of design to the assembled press. "Design is a clear defining force." The new studio is adjacent to Nissan Design Europe's base in the Paddington area of London, on the second floor of the protected Battleship Building that also houses Virgin's HQ.

Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying: Hamilton on pole for Mercedes – Rosberg second

Lewis Hamilton takes pole for Mercedes in the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix How much is seven one thousandths of a second in distance on a qualifying lap for the Singapore Grand Prix? About 45cm, and that’s all it took for lewis Hamilton to take pole position for tomorrow’s race from team mate Nico Rosberg in the dying seconds of final qualifying. Mercedes may have closed out the front row for tomorrow’s race, but they didn’t do it in the dominant way that has been the picture for the current season so far.

Concept Car of the Week: Mercedes T80 (1939)

In the decade before World War II, no other carmaker even came close to matching the combined dominance of Mercedes-Benz and recently founded Auto Union. Supported by Adolf Hitler's Nazi government, the two brands had grander plans to demonstrate Germany's technological supremacy. In August 1936, Auto Union engineer Ferdinand Porsche and race car driver Hans Stuck approached Wilhelm Kissel, chairman of Daimler-Benz, and presented a plan to build a car that would set a new land speed world record.

Has this artist created forms that genuinely visualize dynamic design?

German artist Felix Deimann explores abstract shapes in his latest animation, creating a work that's full of inspiring forms. While it’s common for car designers to talk up how dynamic their designs are, and how they've been inspired by anything from a swimming shark to a fighter jet, this work is far more authentic in its visualization of movement. His thesis takes its name from the Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius,' which is Latin for Faster, Higher, Stronger.

Range Rover Evoque SW1 Special Edition celebrates the Union

Range Rover Evoque SW1 Special Edition celebrates the Union with Union Jack graphics We’re not sure that if Scotland had lost the plot and voted Yes to separation from the UK that Land Rover would have revealed this Range Rover Evoque Special Edition now. But Scotland voted No and Land Rover have revealed a new Union Jack version of the Range Rover Evoque – the Range Rover Evoque SW1. Based on the Evoque Dynamic, the Evoque SW1 comes with a choice of Firenze Red, Fuji White, Loire Blue, Santorini Black or Corris Grey paint, Fuji White roof and stripes, 20″ white alloys and – here comes the ‘Inspired by Britain’ bit – Union Jack graphics on the rear spoiler, door mirrors, gear knob on manual versions and Union Jack tags on the seats, carpets, sill plates and key and ‘RANGE ROVER’ lettering in white on the bonnet.

Dacia Duster (finally) gets a bit of a facelift for 2015 in the UK

The Dacia Duster finally gets updated in the UK A whole year ago, at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, the Dacia Duster Facelift was revealed. But that facelifted Duster was just for the European LHD market; the UK soldiered on with the old model. But now, a year on, the UK is finally getting a facelifted Duster which, more or less, seems to follow the lead of the European makeover.

2015 Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN revealed

The 2015 Volvo XC90 R-DESIGN revealed It’s been a few weeks of reveals for the all-new Volvo XC90 – Volvo’s replacement for the venerable, but still relevant, original XC90 – with both the standard XC90 and the XC90 First Edition being revealed. Now it’s the turn of the XC90 R-Design. The new Volvo XC90 R-Design is exactly what you’d expect from an R-Design Volvo; enough bolt-on extras to denote something a little different and, perhaps, a little more sporty, but not so much it looks like the work of a pizza-faced teen let loose in a car customising emporium.

Peugeot Quartz

In addition to a Europe-specific version of the Exalt concept, Peugeot will reveal a new show car in Paris. Called the Quartz, it follows themes established by the Onyx, shown in Paris two years ago, and the Exalt, which debuted in Beijing earlier this year. At 4,500mm long and 2,060mm wide, the Quartz is the smallest of the three, and, more obviously, switches coupé for crossover aesthetics.

Peugeot Quartz Concept is a 494bhp Hybrid SUV – debuts at Paris Motor Show

The Peugeot Quartz Concept is a 494bhp Hybrid SUV - The Peugeot Quartz Concept is a concept from Peugeot heading for the Paris Motor Show next month, and it uses a hybrid setup to offer the potential of huge performance from a pair of electric motors and the 270 PS 1.6 litre petrol engine from the RCZ R. Before you get too excited, it seems unlikely the QuartZ Concept is heading for production with its very concept-y look with scissor doors, pop-out steps for access and no B-Pillar, but it does show what could be done if Peugeot is brave enough and it does show the performance potential of the hybrid platform. The hybrid platform consists of the 1.6 litre THP 270 engine from the RCZ R – good for 266bhp – and an electric motor on each axle.

Stolen Jaguar E-Type returned to owner after 46 years

A Jaguar E-Type that was stolen from outside its owner’s New York apartment in 1968 will be returned to its rightful custodian 46 years after the car first went missing. Original owner Ivan Schneider described the outcome as a "miracle" – which it sort of is, when you find out the full story behind the finding of his classic E-Type. Click on the image above to read more about the stolen Jaguar E-Type

Tips for Getting the Best Car Finance Loan

If you want flexibility when purchasing a new car a personal loan is probably your best bet. With a standard personal loan, your loan will be unsecured i.e. will not be secured against the car and as a result you will be free to sell the vehicle at any time.

2015 VW Polo GTI gets new 1.8 litre TSI with 189bhp

The VW Polo GTI gets a facelift and new engine for 2015 The 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI is being updated for 2015 – and heading for a debut at the Paris Motor Show – with VW bucking the trend for ever smaller engines by dropping the current 1.4 litre turbocharged and supercharged lump in favour of a new 1.8 litre TSI with 189bhp and 236lb/ft of torque. The extra power lets the new Polo GTI get to 62mph in 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 147mph and, unlike the current GTI, you’ll also be able to do that with a six-speed manual ‘box as well as the optional 7-speed DSG. Aside from the new engine, you’ll need to look quite hard to see the changes, but the 2015 Polo GTI does get updated headlights, a new grill (complete with red stripe), more aggressive bumpers with the interior keeping its tartan seats and getting the same updates as those on the rest of the Polo range.

Renault Eolab Concept

Renault has bucked the trend of rather uninspiring Paris Motor Show previews with the Eolab. This B-segment-sized car that has been designed to a brief that states it must return fuel economy of 2l/100km (118mpg US/141mpg UK), and that all of its major technical innovations must be production-feasible by the year 2020. The Eolab is actually two cars – the Eolab prototype, which the engineering team has signed off as capable of 1l/100km (235mpg US/282mpg UK), and the Eolab Concept, which was overseen by the design team.

Electroluminescent Lumilor coating transforms any surface into a lamp

Thanks to advances in LED and lasers, an emphasis on lamp design is a rapidly growing trend. But what if any or all of a car's surfaces, inside or out, could become lamps at the flick of a switch? That question has been partially answered by Darkside Scientific.

2015 Honda Jazz prototype revealed ahead of Paris debut – on sale summer 2015

The 2015 Honda Jazz prototype revealed ahead of Paris debut It may be a year before the 2015 Honda Jazz arrives as a production model, but Honda are previewing the arrival of the new Jazz with a 2015 model prototype at the Paris Motor Show next month. The first photos of the 2015 Jazz (above and below) show a car that looks familiar but which is much changed, including a growth spurt that adds 30mm ro the wheelbase (but only 15mm to the length). The new Jazz sits on Honda’s global compact platform – the same platform that underpins the Civic and the new HR-V – and keeps the central fuel tank with the benefits that offers of better interior room and practicality.

Ford C-Max & Grand C-Max 2015 FACELIFT revealed – debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show

Ford C-Max & Grand C-Max 2015 FACELIFT revealed Ford has been busy grafting their new grill on to cars across their range recently, and the latest models to get the ‘Gaydon Grill’ (and other tweaks) are the C-Max and Grand C-Max – Ford’s 5 and 7 seat MPVs based on the Focus – revealed today ahead of a debut at the Paris Motor Show next month. As you’e expect, the changes amount to pretty much what we’ve seen with the Ford Focus facelift, so there’s a new grill to make the Ford statement accompanied by new headlights and bonnet. Round the back the tailgate has been given a slicker, simplified makeover, there’s a new bumper and smaller lights.

180,000 'lied over motor insurance'

NEARLY 3,500 cases of motorists lying on their applications for insurance or deliberately leaving relevant information off them are being uncovered by insurers each week, new figures reveal. Some 180,675 attempts to make fraudulent applications for motor insurance as people tried to get cheaper cover than they were entitled to were detected last year, equating to around 3,475 incidents a week, according to data released by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). These claims were exposed as lies by the insurer either at the point when the person applied for a policy, or after they had obtained cover and had gone on to make a claim.

Telematics discounts tempting young drivers

INCREASING numbers of young drivers are opting-in to telematics-based car insurance in attempt to reduce their premiums. Specialist young driver insurer Carrot has reported a 62% rise in the number of its policyholders choosing to have a telematics device, consisting of accelerometers and a GPS tracker, fitted to their car. The company says that they could save up to 20% on their annual insurance premium, which for the youngest drivers almost always amounts to a discount of hundreds of pounds.

Range Rover Evoque about to go in to production in China – and maybe the new Land Rover Discovery Sport too

Range Rover Evoque about to go in to production in China It’s been clear Jaguar Land Rover intend to build cars in China – a huge market for Jaguar Land Rover – for some time, but now, with a new factory about to open near Shanghai, that’s about to become a reality. JLR’s new plant in China is in Changhsu and is a joint venture with JLR’s China partner – Chery Automobile – where Chery will be producing JLR cars with a Chery badge on the bonnet. The new plant is due to open in October – with production starting soon after – and as well as producing Chery cars for China JLR will also be building the Range Rover Evoque – JLR’s biggest seller in China – for the local market.

Car Design Awards China 2015 competition now open

请点击这里阅读中文版 The Car Design Awards China 2015 competition is now open. Design students in China are invited to respond to one of the challenging briefs set by carmakers including GAC, Volvo, VW, Qoros, JAC and Geely. This is the sixth time the annual design competition has been held, and students have until 2 January 2015 to submit their work.

Apple Watch users warned

IN THE wake of the new Apple Watch's arrival, early-adopters are being warned that using it while driving could be a deadly mistake that lands them in jail. Smart watches can issue regular updates from internet services, apps and the user’s mobile phone, but the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is urging people to turn them off while at the wheel. In a statement the IAM said: “The latest piece of wearable technology from Apple will allow users to make and receive calls, check their messages and monitor their health by operating the device on their wrists.

Sell-Out Goodwood Revival Wows The Crowds

A SELL-OUT crowd of 148,000 enjoyed the 17th Goodwood Revival Meeting on the weekend of September 12-14 at the Goodwood Motor Circuit. The on-track highlights included the annual RAC TT Celebration race for early-1960s GT cars, comprising a £150 million field that included Jaguar E-types, Aston Martin Project cars and even a Bizzarini. The 60th anniversary of the Jaguar D-Type was marked with a 30-car parade plus the Lavant Cup race exclusively for examples of the Le Mans-winning British sportscar, while the Maserati 250F also turned 60 with variants of the Italian grand prix car making up two thirds of the Richmond Trophy field for front-engined F1 machinery of the late 1950s.

Degler's 2015 calendar pays tribute to Cuba's unique automotive landscape

The 2014 Degler calendar mounted on the wall of the Car Design News office serves up a nicely-shot image of one of Bertone's significant concepts each month. But next year's calendar has taken an altogether different direction: 'Carros de Cuba - a tribute to the cars that have survived over half a century on the island thanks to the inventiveness of the Cuban people.' The Degler calender is the work of automotive photographer Piotr Degler Jablonski. For the 2015 edition, he spent a month traveling across the island of Cuba, meeting mechanics and car enthusiasts and documenting the eye-catching automotive landscape.

Volkswagen Are Rally Champs For Second Year Running

ANOTHER year, another title – that’s the news from down under as Volkswagen has secured the World Rally Manufacturers’ Championship for the second year running after a clean sweep at the Rally Australia round. After a tense battle over the weekend, with Brit Kris Meeke leading for Citroen at one point, Volkswagen eventually took all three podium steps as Sebastien Ogier lead from teammate Jari-Matti Latvala with Andreas Mikkelsen coming in third. With only three rallies remaining this season, Volkswagen can no longer be caught at the top of the overall standings.

Help American Dreaming movie tell the story of the postwar era's car designers [w/video]

The makers of a new movie charting America's postwar car designers are seeking donations to make the project become reality. The film's makers are hoping to raise $100,000 to make American Dreaming, a documentary movie that aims to tell the story of the lives of the men and women who worked in automotive design between 1948 and 1973. The film will be produced by Detroit artist Robert Edwards, former Detroiter Greg Salustro, and cinematographer Jim Toscano, and will include interviews with the men and women who worked in automotive design studios at the time.