Mustang Horses Guardian Ride Bell 4 Motorcycle on 2040-parts.com

Forget high beams -- lasers are coming

Audi has kicked off 2014 with the unveiling of an updated version of its Sport quattro concept car -- as first revealed at last year's Frankfurt motor show. Set to underpin the German carmaker's stand at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the latest incarnation of the bullish-looking two-door coupe showcases distinctively styled matrix LED headlamps with new laser light technology that, Audi officials suggest, will soon begin appearing on regular production models as a high-cost option. Already confirmed for the Audi R18 that will compete at the Le Mans 24-hour race later this year, the new headlamps use matrix LEDs and an aperture mask for low-beam mode.

Renault Zoe sets new electric car record for distance travelled

The Renault Zoe EV has set a new world record for distance travelled in an electric car in 24 hours – 1005 miles. It seems Renault are determined to prove that an electric car – in this case the Renault Zoe EV – can travel sensible distances in a sensible period of time. So they set out to run a pair of production spec Renault Zoes round the Aubevoye speed ring in Normandy for a full twenty four hours with the aim of breaking the record for distance travelled in an electric car in that time (yes, there’s a world record for everything these days).

‘Selfie’ drivers risking their lives

ONE IN 14 drivers admits taking a ‘selfie’ photo on their mobile phone while driving, despite official figures showing that one in ten (9%) of drivers have had an accident while using the phone at the wheel. Young drivers are the most likely to use their mobile phone to take a selfie, which is a picture of the phone user taken by themselves. A further one on 20 drivers also owns up to using a social media app on their smartphone while driving to send photos they have just taken friends.