Horn Relay Ford Custom Galaxie Falcon Ltd Mustang Thunderbird Fairlaine Torino on 2040-parts.com

New trend in looking sharp: A dull finish

What's the latest trend for superexpensive cars? Making them look dull. The matte paint once reserved for cars headed for crash testing is showing up on the highest of high-end models.

Porsche Boxster E (2011): prototype Boxster EV

Porsche recently rolled out the first of three Boxster E electric vehicles, to take part in the 'Electromobility Region Stuttgart' local government initiative in Germany. The Boxster E is powered by two electric motors, capable of a peak power output of 180kW. Energy is stored in a 29kWh battery pack.  Not with the Boxster E. Three electric Boxsters are being built as part of a programme sponsored by the Baden-Wurttemberg state government (Porsche's home state in Germany) and WRS, the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation.  Porsche's hometown of Stuttgart is one of eight model regions participating in a federal pilot programme sponsored by the Minitsry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs to develop EVs and their supporting infrastructure.  The three Boxster E prototypes will take part in the programme, acting as mobile laboratories for testing EV usage and planning for EVs in urban infrastructure.  CAR's view? We reckon this electric Boxster E is much cooler than your usual EV council van.

New Volkswagen Tiguan (2012) gets R-Line options

2012 VW Tiguan gets R-Line options The new VW Tiguan turned up earlier this year, looking for all the world like a mini-me VW Touareg. But with the reveal of the 2012 Tiguan came no news of the R-Line add-ons which turned the old model Tiguan from a bit of a bland and boring-looking compact SUV, to something more appealing (as we discovered when we reviewed the old model VW Tiguan R-Line). But now the 2012 Tiguan is in the showrooms VW has decided the time is right to offer a bit more pizzazz for the new Tiguan, so they’ve revealed R-Line packages for the interior and exterior.