Mercedes Sl 280 1989-2002 Automatic Transmission Ecu 0135454032 on 2040-parts.com

New techniques cut cost of carbon fiber

Carbon fiber, once so costly that it was the preferred material only for fighter planes and supercars, is catching the attention of weight-conscious automakers. Carbon fiber's cost is falling dramatically, thanks to production advances that let suppliers speed the material's finicky, and costly, curing process. One technological breakthrough that makes carbon-fiber auto parts more affordable may come from a process used to make carbon-fiber golf clubs.

Ford Focus (2015) to be priced from £13,995

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 02 September 2014 06:00 Ford has frozen the starter price on its Focus mainstay for the new 2015 model year facelift. The news means that the Focus 1.6 Studio five-door hatch will cost from £13,995. And the Blue Oval pledges it’s not just an entry-level pricing gimmick; well equipped Titanium and Titanium X models have actually dropped on the new facelifted Focus, costing £100 less.

Subaru BRZ Turbo to get 280bhp

The much hoped for Subaru BRZ Turbo – the Subaru version of the Toyota GT86 – is set to arrive in 2014 with 280bhp. Last year we reported that a Subaru BRZ Turbo was in the planning (even though the official line was that the BRZ and GT86 would stick with natural aspiration) and now it looks like development is well advanced and the BRZ Turbo will arrive in 2014. Automotive News are reporting that Subaru are working hard on a turbocharged direct injection version of the BRZ with a single twin-scroll turbo they’ve developed in-house, as opposed to the port injection system currently used in the BTZ, which is a Toyota system.