Blog on 2040Parts

2014 Subaru WRX STI sets new Isle of Man TT lap record

The new Subaru WRX STI set a new Isle of Man TT record lap Last month we reported that rally driver Mark Higgins was heading back to the Isle of Man in an almost standard Subaru WRX STI to have a crack at breaking the record he set on the TT course in 2011 in the last WRX STI. The 2011 lap record Higgins set was the first time the record had been broken in 21 years, a record set by Tony Pond in 1990 in a Rover 827 Vitesse in a stunning drive in a less than ideal car for the task. Mark Higgins, perhaps unsurprisingly, blitzed Tony Pond’s 100mph average speed round the TT course and turned in a time of 19:56.7 at an average speed of 113mph.

Lamborghini Countach LP400 breaks $1 million sale barrier

A 1975 Lamborghini Countach LP400 "Periscopica" sold for $1.21 million at the Bonhams auction held in conjunction with the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, June 1, setting a record for the model. Named for the roof-mounted periscope-style rearview mirror that adorned the first 150 Countach models, the stunning "Blu Tahiti" example was the first example of the Countach to break the $1 million mark. We can probably guess what you're thinking: The Countach hadn't broken the $1 million barrier until now?

London rush hour 'worst in UK'

ANALYSIS of in-car telematics data has revealed that London commuters get the worst deal in rush hour, with average speeds 30% slower than those across other British cities. The study of 20 million miles of telematics data by Direct Line Drive Plus shows that despite London having more congestion-fighting measures than anywhere else in the country, its road-based commuters suffer worse peak time traffic misery than anywhere else. During peak times, cars in Westminster travel at an average speed of just 10.06mph, compared to a figure of 14.38mph across the biggest British cities.

BMW celebrates 25th anniversary of the 8-series

BMW is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the debut of the BMW 8-series, which premiered at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. That's right, the 8-series has been with for 25 years. And yes, 1989 was a quarter of a century ago, as if we needed another reminder of just how old we're getting.

Art Center student's clothing company with a cause

In addition to studying automotive design at Art Center College of Design, student Mason Watson also runs his own automotive clothing company called Cars For A Cure Apparel. Set up a year ago, the venture was established in honor of Watson's mother, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. Every purchase made on the Cars For A Cure Apparel website includes a 20 percent donation to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

2015 BMW X6 facelift leaks out ahead of imminent official reveal

The new BMW X6 facelift (pictured) a little earlier than BMW planned. With the arrival of the new BMW X5 a year ago, it’s about time its coupe sibling – the BMW X6 – got a similar facelift. And here it is, albeit a little earlier than BMW intended.

Skoda drives along Popular memory lane

A EUROPEAN car enthusiast is recreating a remarkable British journey first completed 90 years ago by a famous Czech writer, and is driving a 77-year-old Skoda Popular. The milestone car, Skoda's first to sell in big numbers across Europe, is well into a three-week journey around the UK in the hands of car nut Zdeněk Vacek, starting and finishing at the Czech Embassy in London and visiting many of the cities featured in famous Czech writer Karel Čapek's 1924 tome Letters from England. The Popular itself can celebrate its 80th birthday at the same time, having first appeared to widespread acclaim in 1934.

High-five for Mini's new, larger hatchback

THE LONG-RUMOURED five-door Mini hatchback has finally been unveiled, featuring an extra seat, more legroom and a larger boot than the three-door. By using a longer and wider body, the five-door is able to offer 72mm more legroom for rear passengers, who can also now access the new row of three seats via small but useful rear doors. Boot space is up to 278 litres, which although still comparatively low is 67 more than the three-door hatch can boast.

BMW X6 (2015): first photos of the X6 Mk2

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 05 June 2014 23:00 BMW has shown its new 2014 X6 crossover - the second-generation of the SUV that puts style over space. The low-slung BMW X6 again uses X5 mechanicals, but wrapped in a squashed, coupe-influenced silhouette. The X6 is a niche product in the UK, selling some 1700 in 2013, around a third of X5 volumes in a good year.

Extreme new Ariel Atom PL1 police car

No, your eyes are not deceiving you – that really is an Ariel Atom done up as a police car. One of the most extreme high performance vehicles on sale has joined the “Safer Rider” campaign in Avon and Somerset. A joint campaign involving the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the Tri Force Specialist Operations Collaboration and Somerset Road Safety, Project Safer Rider is intended to promote safer motorcycling over the coming summer.

In-car DAB digital overtakes analogue radio

Digital Radio UK has delved into CAP and SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) data, and found that DAB is now standard equipment on more new cars than analogue-only radio. As of April 2014, 55% of all new cars come with DAB digital radio as standard. On Bing: see pictures on in-car DAB digital radio Find out how much a used car with DAB digital radio costs on Auto Trader This figure is up from 37.2% in April 2013, and just 3.6% in April 2010.

Euro NCAP finds quadricycles had “severe safety problems”

Euro NCAP has branched out from cars and crash tested a small selection of “heavy quadricycles”  – small, four-wheeled vehicles that were originally developed from motorcycles that are sometimes also known as microcars, and don’t come under the usual car regulations. Although legal for use on the road, these machines do not need to achieve the same rigorous crash test safety standards as ordinary cars. But they are increasingly seen as a fuel-efficient urban transportation alternative, and some of them can be driven teenagers as young as 16.

Le Mans champ: laser lights are the future

Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours race champion Allan McNish has told us that technology first trialled at the world famous endurance event often makes it on to road cars – and this year’s big thing will be laser lights. Speaking ahead of Le Mans 2014, McNish said that racing is more relevant to everyday cars than people think – with features from seat belts to windscreen wipers debuting at the race. Audi R8 V10 plus review (2013 onwards) Las Vegas debut for Audi Sport Quattro laserlight concept “The laser light’s on this year’s Audis will make it onto road cars straight away,” McNish told us.

Chris Bangle, Peter Stevens and Tom Matano speak out about Google's driverless car

Google's driverless car technology took a major step on 27 May. The tech firm unveiled its self-designed autonomous car prototype, which will supplement the fleet of modified Toyota Prius and Lexus RX SUVs that have been used thus far. But what do some of the best-know car designers think of Google's foray into the automotive world?

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV big dealer push – first UK cars being delivered

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – moving quickly in the UK The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, the plug-in hybrid Outlander, has been the subject of a big marketing campaign by Mitsubishi in recent weeks, and this weekend sees a big dealer push to educate buyers. But actually, it’s a very easy job for Mitsubishi because they seem to have hit the ground running with a car that could see the beginning of the end of the BEV electric car market. That’s because the Outlander PHEV offers the best of both worlds, with its plug-in hybrid setup offering pure EV running for up to 30 miles or so – enough to get in and out of most cities – and the ability to run on carbon fuel even when the batteries run down.

Dune buggies on Father's Day horizon

IF YOUR dad's commute happens to cross pesky sand dunes that always leave his old Volkswagen stranded, fear not – he can turn the car into a dune buggy! Veloce Publishing has re-released the 'essential manual' for anyone wishing to turn a fatally corroded old Volkswagen (a classic Beetle is standard form) into a shiny new multi-purpose dune buggy that will laugh in the face of sandy stretches. According to the publishers, 'Building a Dune Buggy – The Essential Manual' is “the complete step by step practical guide to the equipment and building techniques needed to build a Buggy, as well as sound guidance on the choice of donor car and new components.

Engineers 'most likely' to crash

BUILDERS and bakers are among the best drivers while engineers and estate agents are among the worst, according to a survey. Based on accident figures per profession, the survey showed that persons classing themselves as 'administrators' were the safest drivers, followed by painters and farmers. Builders were the sixth-safest on the list compiled by insurance company 1st Central, with bakers eighth.

Electric Renault to take on 2,000-mile Pod Point challenge

A RENAULT Zoe electric car is about to cover 2,000 miles up and down the country to prove that a linked and entirely functional network of electric charging points already exists. The full-electric supermini will take on challenges, attempt to break records and join in for loads of festivities throughout the 17-day grand tour, all using public electric charging points. What's more, Pod Point, the company behind the endeavour, will install more points wherever it thinks they're needed on its route around Great Britain.

McLaren turns the corner, posts first profits

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 04 June 2014 10:48 McLaren Automotive today announced it had broken even for the first time in its brief three-year history, posting a £4.5 million pre-tax profit in 2013. It's great news for the young supercar brand, which until now has lost money every year. McLaren's turnover was £285m, up from £267 in 2012, as it increased production towards its long-term goal of 4000 cars a year.

McLaren P1 Track confirmed as McLaren Automotive goes in to profit

McLaren are building a track version of the P1 (pictured) for P1 customers only It’s only three years since McLaren Automotive entered the hugely competitive market for high-end supercars (well, it’s four years, but only three since the first 12C went to a customer), but it’s already in profit. McLaren made an operating profit in 2013 of £12.4 million (and a pre-tax of £4.4 million) on sales of £284.4 million and did so – as predicted – by hitting their sales targets – McLaren sold 1359 12Cs and 36 of the McLaren P1 hypercar. And that looks to be just the start.

Skoda Yeti, Octavia and Superb Tour de France Special Editions launched

The Skoda Yeti Tour de France (pictured) – just one of three Skoda TdF Specials It’s always nice to have a hook to a limited edition car, and Skoda are hanging their latest limited editions of the Yeti, Octavia and Superb on the Tour de France. The 2014 Tour de France will see its first three stages run in the UK, so Skoda are doing a ‘cycling enthusiast’ version of the Yeti, Superb and Octavia with some ‘le Tour de France’ badges, waterproof covers for the seats and bike wheel bags as well as throwing in a centenary edition of the Rouleur Tour de France book and a chance to win a VIP Tour de France experience. Just 198 examples of each car will be built – that’s the number of entries for this year’s Tour de France – and you can only have one in Red, White or Blue.

Wacky Racer Returns For Third Attempt At Legendary Hillclimb Event

MITSUBISHI has announced that it will return to the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb event later this month. 2014 will be the Japanese firm’s third straight attempt at setting the fastest time at the Colorado-based event. Last year saw Peugeot blitz the opposition with its star driver Sebastien Loeb.

New Corsa first of 27 new Vauxhalls and Opels in four years

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 04 June 2014 13:35 Opel and Vauxhall are preparing a barrage of 27 new models and 17 new engines in the next four years in a bid to stop the slide and return to profitability, the chief executive pledged today. Karl-Thomas Neumann said he hoped to increase its European market share to 8% by 2022, from the current 5.8%, by focusing on small cars and using the global reach of the GM family and its technology. If successful, that would mean becoming the second best-selling brand here.

Police get tough with Ariel Atom supercar

ANYONE with a taste for speed might fear the sight of flashing blue lights in their mirrors, but nothing could be more frightening than this! British supercar maker Ariel has created this police-specification version of its new Atom 3.5 in order to support the Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Safer Rider campaign. The Atom PL1 has the same 350bhp supercharged 2.0-litre Honda engine, sequential gearbox and spectacular performance as the regular car – with a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds it can match most superbikes – but with the addition of Avon and Somerset Constabulary livery, aerodynamic pursuit lights and safety equipment.

Part-worn tyre sales under the microscope again

SALES of part-worn tyres are about to hit the agenda again following a study from charity TyreSafe that found 98% of potentially dangerous part-worn tyres were being sold illegally. As a result the organisation has stepped up to take part in the forthcoming Trading Standards conference at the end of June, after a successful trial last year. Running for three days from 30th June at the Harrogate International Centre, the event is the biggest gathering of trading standards officers and enforcement professionals in the UK.

London hogging too much transport investment

THE UNDERFUNDING of transport projects outside London in recent years "cannot be allowed to continue", says a report from MPs. Ministers must use the new funding arrangements for local projects to "ensure that there is a fairer allocation of funding", said the report from the House of Commons Transport Committee. "No area across our nation should be second class in relation to the allocation of transport infrastructure funds," the MPs said.

Mitsubishi returns to Pikes Peak with all-new MiEV Evolution III

Mitsubishi is back again with an all-new version of its electric hill-climbing machine, the MiEV Evolution III. A pair of the fully electric race cars will compete in the 92nd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 29, held just outside of Colorado Springs, Colo. Replacing the MiEV Evolution II that came in second in the EV division in last year's, “Race to the Clouds,” the MiEV Evolution III comes with a full force of upgrades that look to bump it to first place.

The Fixed parking-ticket app: Not so great?

Remember Fixed, that shiny new app that was supposed to be for parking tickets what Uber was for taxicabs and a microwaved burrito was for fast-food convenience? It might not be so great, says the Los Angeles Times, citing statistics that show you might be better off putting in your own legwork and taking on the courts themselves, like a petty-crime Mr. Smith Goes To The Los Angeles Parking Violations Bureau.

2015 Honda Pilot line to get SE trim

Honda is spicing up its 2015 Pilot line by adding a model between the EX and EX-L trim levels. The LX model starts at $30,700--a bump of $200 over the previous year--and the two-wheel-drive SE model starts at $33,950. The eight-passenger Pilot SE comes with pewter gray aluminum-alloy wheels, SE badging, a one-touch moonroof, satellite radio and a DVD player.

Toyota recalls 370,000 Sienna minivans for spare-tire problem

Toyota is recalling certain Sienna minivans manufactured between 2004 and 2011 and sold in 20 northern and Midwestern states and the District of Columbia. The problem is a spare-tire carrier cable that may disintegrate over time due to rust, causing the tire to fall away. A total of 370,000 Sienna models are a part of this recall.