Magnaflow Catalytic Converter 23984 Toyota 4runner on 2040-parts.com

Italian design house Bertone nearing bankruptcy

The Italian design house Bertone is reportedly nearing bankruptcy again, according to a report from Autocar. The carrozzeria has experienced financial problems in 2008 and 2013, and even though it generated more than €20 million, or approximately $28 million, last year, the company reportedly laid off 160 employees recently. At least 30 workers who have been laid off have taken action against the company, seeking to recover monies owed to them.

New Lexus IS UK debut

The 2013 Lexus IS – revealed at the Detroit Motor Show – gets its UK public debut at the Ideal Home Show at Earls Court. The Ideal Home Show may not seem the obvious place for Lexus to show the new IS, but Lexus are the headline motor sponsors for the event and you can’t argue with the footfall; footfall that is probably predominantly bang on the Lexus target demographic. And the target demographic for Lexus may be a bit surprised that the new IS is a chunk more dynamic looking than its predecessor, with statement looks – taking cues from the LF-CC Concept – that make the new IS a far more appealing prospect.

MINI miffed at Spy Photos of 2014 MINI Hatch

MINI has released their own ‘Spy’ shot of the 2014 MINI hatch (pictured above) The rise and rise of the internet in recent years has seen the once niche market for spy photos of unreleased cars go mainstream, and whether car makers like it or not they can be sure the moment they take their new pride and joy on the road it will be papped and online. Most unrevealed cars go out testing covered in swirly camouflage and padded add-ons to disguise shape and form, but this week a 2014 MINI hatch was snapped with no disguise at all, and it didn’t look great. It didn’t look great because the photo was taken from such a distance it distorted perspective and made the new MINI look a very odd shape.