Motogp For 748 916 996 1994-2002 95 96 97 98 99 2000bodywork Fairing En66 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.

Porsche Panamera convertible plans uncovered

A series of European and U.S. patent applications obtained by AutoWeek show that Porsche remains committed to building a four-door convertible version of its flagship Panamera, despite recent comments from Zuffenhausen insiders indicating the car had been canceled. The new car, depicted in official drawings that accompany the latest Porsche patent applications filed in February, eschews the two-door route taken by all of its upmarket rivals for a practical four-door body.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster (2012) first pictures

Aston Martin has finally taken the roof off the V12 Vantage, creating the new 2012 V12 Vantage Roadster, pragmatic nomenclature fans. Mechanically identical to the hard-top, it's on sale now, priced at a nice, round £150,000. Just a soft-top V12 Vantage, then?