Kawasaki 1987 El250 Eliminator Rear Brake Hub Plate Drum K87-cl250-053 on 2040-parts.com

VW Phaeton - the new one coming in 2015

A brand new Volkswagen Phaeton Mk2 will be launched in 2015, based on a new architecture being masterminded by cousins Audi. Dubbed VW631, the new VW Phaeton will be based on MLM Evo (modular longitudinal matrix) which makes provision for a plug-in hybrid option, an aluminium-intensive body structure and a much more advanced and less nose-heavy dynamic layout. Although VW chairman Martin Winterkorn has in the past black-flagged the Avantissimo (A8-based) and the Passat Variant Plus (A6-derived), there is still a lot to be said for a second more practical bodystyle in addition to the four-door notch which is almost compulsory in this segment.

Toyoya iQ Collection & iQ for Sports at Frankfurt

The 'Customised' Toyota iQ for Sports Toyota claim the iQ is the world’s smallest 4 seater production car – and the may well be right. It is certainly a tiny car – but very cleverly packaged – and is in many ways the perfect city car, if a tad on the expensive side. So cleverly packaged is the iQ that Aston Martin have used it for the Cygnet, and rumour has it that BMW will use it for the i-setta range.

Mazda may revive the rotary as a hybrid car powerplant

Mazda Motor Corp. has given a new lease on life to its rotary engine in the form of a Mazda 2 hatchback reconfigured as an extended-range hybrid. The prototype runs as an electric vehicle, with an electric motor powering the wheels.