Maier 04-09 Honda Trx450r Sportrax Vented Front Hood #509720, Black - New on 2040-parts.com

Better Place Electric Car visitor centre opens

Better Place have opened a visitor centre in Israel to demonstrate their battery swap technology for electric cars Last October we wrote about a start-up company in Israel – Better Place – that had a new way forward for electric cars by taking the purchase of battery packs out of the equation, and was developing a system for ‘Battery Swap’ stations where electric car owners could drive in and swap their battery pack for a fully-charged one in a few minutes. That story first brought to our attention our favourite quote of last year – by Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn – who said “A hybrid is like a mermaid: if you want a fish, you get a woman; if you want a woman, you get a fish.” Which probably explained why Nissan – and its partner Renault – got involved with Better Place. Better Place aims to address the main concerns of electric car drivers by making the battery packs in electric cars ‘swappable’.

First Sight: Honda Civic - North America

 This is the new US market, 8th generation Honda Civic that follows on soon from the announcement of the 8th generation European Civic about to make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and the Civic Si Coupe concept shown at Chicago earlier this year. Although relating closely to its hatchback European sibling, the US market Civic is available as a four door sedan or two door coupe - underscoring the principal difference in market preference between Europe and America for this size of car. Specification The Si Coupe is available from launch with the 2.0 liter, 197bhp VTEC engine, whilst the sedan and standard coupe have a 1.8 liter, 140 bhp VTEC engine.

Porsche 911 (991)

The release of a new generation of the Porsche 911 is always a major motoring event and the launch of the latest – the 991, which will make its debut in Frankfurt next month – appears to be the most significant since the icon switched to water cooling with the 996 in 1998. While quite obviously an evolution of the 997 and every version prior, the 991 is longer (+56mm), wider (+65mm) and lower (-11mm) than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has been extended in order to increase rear leg room and move the model further into the GT segment. Its front lamp graphics offer a visual link to the 918 concept car and sit above a set of angular DRL/turn signal units and enlarged lower mask intakes.