Four Seasons 77589 A/c Compressor on 2040-parts.com

What defines a car’s nationality, Batty asks

Is the Mini German or British? Batty's not so sure – but what do you think? Click 'Add your comment' and let us know By Batty Motoring Issues 04 December 2008 12:41 CAR Online reader Batty ponders what gives a car a national flavour.

Porsche Museum opens 911 Identity exhibition

As the seventh-generation Porsche 911 hits the market, the Porsche Museum is honoring its brand-defining model with a new exhibition called 911 Identity. The display in the company's Stuttgart museum highlights each generation of 911, from the 1963 original through to the 2012 991, offering facts, figures and artifacts from their year of launch. As well as road going variants of the 911, motor sport versions are on show, from the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Safari, through to the current 911 GT3R Hybrid, via the fearsome 935s of the 1970s and '80s.

Lexus IS Coupe arriving in 2014 & IS F V8 on the way

Now it looks like Lexus is going to bring the LF-CC to production life in 2014 as the Lexus IS Coupe (although there are rumours it could be the RC, but that may be for a production version of the even more appealing LF-LC as a range-topping Lexus Coupe) and equip it with the same petrol engine and hybrid options as the IS saloon. What is also in prospect is a return of the IS F – complete with sizeable V8 power – which, if it does arrive, will see the IS Coupe coming with the F engine option and making a very promising foray in to the powerful V8 Coupe market. What doesn’t seem likely is that Lexus are going to bother with a diesel option for the IS or Coupe, despite conventional wisdom saying they need a diesel option to compete in Europe because - as they’ve already demonstrated with the IS 300h – they can deliver an appealing and competitive hybrid with decent performance and price, and bring it in with under 100g/km emissions – perfect for the business market.