Ford Focus 2013 Mk3 Turbo Charger - 1.6 Diesel - 806291 on 2040-parts.com

UK electric car sales hit record high

While electric cars may not have taken off as quickly as the likes of Renault and Nissan had hoped, the latest figures from the government’s £5,000 electric car grant scheme show that sales have leapt 25% in the last quarter. A total of 1,149 electric cars were registered in Q3, not only a 25% improvement over Q2, but the most successful quarter since the government scheme began back in January 2011, indicating that consumers are starting to understand the technology and its limitations rather better. On Bing: see pictures of electric cars in the UK Find out how much an electric car costs on Auto Trader This news comes as the Renault-Nissan alliance has been forced to admit it is not going to reach its self-imposed target of 1.5 million electric car sales by 2016.

Porsche opens new Weissach design studio

Porsche has officially opened its new design center. Located at its Weissach development center, the facility includes interior and exterior design departments, plus a dedicated area for concept car construction. According to Porsche chairman, Matthias Müller, the architecture of the new studio has been designed to allow the firm's "creative developers to work hand-in-hand even more methodically than before." The new design center is one of three new buildings opened at the site, which have been built as part of a $200million investment at Weissach.

Renault Wind Roadster Gordini (2011) first official pics

At the 2010 Geneva motor show Renault unveiled the Gordini versions of  the Clio and the Twingo. So it should come as no surprise that one year on Renault’s planning to unveil the Wind Roadster Gordini at the 2011 Swiss show. But unlike previous Gordini models, there has been no go-faster Renaultsport version first.