Kawasaki Zzr250 Headlight on 2040-parts.com

Nissan aiming to build radically different 2015 Le Mans prototype

By Ben Pulman 12 December 2013 12:00 Nissan is targeting an entry into the 2015 Le Mans 24hrs with a race car that will be radically different to the LMP1 prototypes fielded by Porsche, Audi and Toyota. Nissan will compete at Le Mans in 2014 with the radical ZEOD RC, filling the ‘experimental competitor’ pit garage last used in 2012 by the Nissan-powered DeltaWing, but it wants to use that experience to build a challenger for the premier LMP1 category in 2015, one that stands out from the rest of the field. ‘We have an active programme now,’ Nissan chief planning officer Andy Palmer (pictured, right) told CAR.

Jaguar puts C-X75 supercar on ice

Jaguar has reversed its plan to sell the C-X75 hybrid supercar, fearing the project could be a commercial failure unable to recoup its investment. ‘After a thorough reassessment of the market conditions, the company’s view is that the global economic landscape does not currently support the introduction of a supercar such as C-X75,’ said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar global brand director. Together with project partner Williams F1, Jaguar has built five prototypes of the plug-in hybrid.

Jeep Grand Cherokee to get ZF 8-speed auto ‘box

Jeep Grand Cherokee to get 8-Speed ZF Gearbox The latest version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has only just arrived, but already Jeep are planning improvements with the confirmation that the Grand Cherokee is to get the new 8-Speed automatic gearbox from ZF. The 8-speed ZF auto ‘box should help all round with the new Grand Cherokee, which already offers the promise of an American SUV matching the expectations of European buyers and, more importantly, offering a viable alternative to the offerings in the premium SUV sector from the Germans. Not only does the new Grand Cherokee look able and promising, even with a relatively modest 3.0 litre diesel being the only engine on offer for the mainstream Grand Cherokees, but with a starting point of under £38k (and a top-end price of £44k) there’s a lot on offer.