Mopar Oem Uz86dx9aa Instrument Panel-center Bezel on 2040-parts.com

BMW: Carbon fiber goes high volume in 2013

BMW AG plans to begin high-volume production of carbon fiber parts in two years, making it a strong contender to be the first automaker to move beyond limited-edition use of the exotic material. But Daimler AG, which has taken steps aimed at making carbon fiber parts in 2012, is among the automakers racing toward the same goal. In 2013, BMW will start building the i3 electric car, a vehicle that features a passenger cell--the protective shell around the passenger compartment that ensures the integrity of the vehicle in a crash--made of plastic reinforced with carbon fiber.

Porsche 911 50 Years Edition (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

Here’s the inevitable special edition 911 to celebrate Porsche’s rear-engined icon’s half-century. The 911 50 Years Edition uses the Carrera 4’s 44mm-wider-than-standard body, rear-wheel drive and the Carrera S’s 395bhp 3.8-litre flat-six engine in either seven-speed manual or PDK form. In a nod to the 911’s birth year, only 1963 examples will be produced, each costing a cool £92,587 – a £10k premium over the Carrera S.

Lexus LF-A – Interior detail +video

Video walkthrough of the Lexus LF-A interior below The Lexus LF-A – the new Lexus Supercar – has had a fair bit of coverage of late here on Cars UK. Prior to the reveal of the LF-A we had Dutch car journo Thomas Bangma telling us that the LF-A was the best driving car ever (we’re sure it’s wonderful – but the best ever?). We then had the reveal of the LF-A at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, when it was revealed that the LF-A will cost upwards of £300k and just 500 will be built.