Kawasaki 13270-1850 Plate on 2040-parts.com

Volvo S60 DRIVe & V60 DRIVe launch

The Volvo V60 DRIVe This week we’re out playing with a Volvo DRIVe model, although our car is the S40 DRIVe. DRIVe models are Volvo’s push at all things green (or all things blue if you’re German) and take a regular Volvo and eco the bejesus out of it with stuff like stop-start, low rolling resistance tyres and the plethora of eco-toys car makers use to make the headline economy and emissions unbelievable. The result is a Volvo that drives pretty much the same as any Volvo but which can – as long as you play the eco-driving game – run almost on fresh air, and because cars like this are designed to hit emissions targets on official cycles, they’re also good on stuff like VED and BIK. And if the S40 DRIVe we’ve got this week is anything to go by, you can still drive with enthusiasm and enjoy it as long as you don’t mind the economy suffering.

2013 Porsche Panamera facelift caught on video

The facelift for the Porsche Panamera is due to arrive later in 2012 (or early 2013) and has been caught on video in Stuttgart. It’s three years since the Porsche Panamera was revealed at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show and it’s time for Porsche’s big saloon car to get an overhaul. The 2013 Panamera, complete with cosmetic tweaks and oily updates, is something we expected to see at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013, but with what looks like almost complete cars popping up in Stuttgart perhaps the tweaked Panamera is going to bow in at Paris in September instead?

Mini Connected app adds performance info to vehicle display

Mini is introducing an updated iPhone app for the Mini Connected system. It displays performance data in the entertainment screen in Minis that have Visual Boost or with a navigation system and the Mini Connected option. The main functions of the system include a condition check, force meter and digital sports instruments.