Ford F-150 Baseball Cap on 2040-parts.com

Volvo XC90 loses two-tone body, adds more options for 2013

Volvo refreshed its XC90 SUV for the 2013 model year. The Swedish automaker says it's the most significant update since the vehicle's debut a decade ago. At the top of the list--for us anyway--is the deletion of the lower body cladding.

SEAT Ibiza FR TDI announced

The three and five door versions of the SEAT Ibiza FR TDI ‘Sporty’ and Diesel’ were two words that never used to go together. But as diesel engines become more and more compelling car makers are keen to add performance diesel versions to their range. More torque and better fuel consumption are reason enough to run a diesel these days for a daily drive, but when performance figures actually make the diesel fun it’s hard to argue against.

BMW's quirky new i3

The side view of the new BMW i3 electric vehicle takes some getting used to, with no two windows the same size or shape. The i3 is high-waisted through the front door and then there's a notch for a taller rear-passenger window and the rear-hinged rear door and a narrow, tapering window at the rear quarter. Yet when you look at the underlying structure -- made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic -- an innovative choice for a mass-produced car -- there's a giant side opening from front to rear.