Rebel Flag Background Confederate Personalized License Plate Auto Car Tag Sign on 2040-parts.com

Driven: Lexus IS-F

The Lexus IS-F is a significant new design for one core reason: it introduces a performance sub-brand parallel to that of the M-cars from BMW, AMG from Mercedes-Benz, and the S and RS sub-brands from Audi. This then is Lexus making a logical next step to further encroach on the established German premium brands. BMW originated the premium brands' performance sub-brand with the 'M for Motorsport' M3 of 1986 (the M1 supercar of 1978 preceded that, but was a singular model, not a performance derivative).

Winners announced in Factory Five design competition

Earlier this year, we brought you news of an open-sourced design competition from American kit car manufacturer, Factory Five. The brief called for a compact, two-seat roadster that shared a drivetrain with the Subaru Impreza. The car would feature a bespoke space-frame chassis, but the mechanicals would be lifted from the Impreza to allow the car to sell for under $15,000.

75,000 Irish drivers left uninsured after policy provider collapses

TENS OF thousands of motorists in Ireland have been warned their insurance policies may be useless after the collapse of an insurer. The Central Bank has urged policy holders with Setanta Insurance to switch their cover after the Malta-based company went into liquidation. It is believed as many as 75,000 motorists are insured by the firm in Ireland, which is popular among smaller businesses who use vans for their deliveries and trading.