Honda 400ex Seat on 2040-parts.com

BMW ready to shift small coupes, convertibles to even-number nameplates

Reports in Europe say that BMW is planning a shake-up in the naming strategy for its smaller coupes and convertibles, as well as planning to shift its 1-series cars onto a front-drive platform. The nameplate shake-up will have coupe and convertible variants of the 1-series become the 2-series, while coupe and convertible variants of the 3-series will become the 4-series. The changeover is expected to start in 2013, according to a report on the Web site of Car magazine.

Chrysler scraps paper owner’s manuals, shifts to DVDs

Chrysler Group is replacing its traditional owner’s manuals with DVDs and an abridged printed guide in an effort to reduce costs and save 930 tons of paper annually. Chrysler will see “substantial savings” from the shift away from paper manuals, which often had more than 500 pages, spokesman Bryan Zvibleman said. He declined to say how much will be saved by the change, which is taking effect with 2010 models.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept

Lamborghini revealed the hugely anticipated Sesto Elemento concept at the 2010 Paris motor show. Based on the Gallardo supercar, the Sesto Elemento (six elements in the Italian sports car maker's native tongue) is a technological marvel, created entirely in carbon fiber to bring the vehicle's overall weight down to less than 1000kg. Read our opinions of the Sesto Elemento concept in our 2010 Paris Motor Show Highlights, and see the photo gallery (which includes all six teaser photos) by clicking the link below.