Stratos Glovebox on 2040-parts.com

Ferrari F450 – due at Frankfurt in September ’09

Rendering of the Ferrari F450 - due to show at Frankfurt in September and go on sale in 2010 But the new Ferrari F450 is getting closer, and spy shots of the F450 have enabled Auto Express to come up with a rendering that is, we reckon, near as dammit to the finished article due to be shown at Frankfurt in September. Sporting a pair of big side vents that have been enlarged to help the engine breathe and the brakes cool, the F450 is different enough to the F430 to set it apart as a new car – not just an evolution. The F450 is going to have to go upmarket to compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, and in an effort to compete Ferrari has upped the capacity of the F430, increased the rev limit and produced an engine that, in the F450, should deliver something around 500bhp.

Government to trial electric cars

Cabinet ministers could soon swap their luxury limousines for electric vehicles, in a bid to set an eco-friendly example. A Whitehall source told the London Evening Standard that electric car trials are likely to start as soon as spring. On Bing: see pictures of electric cars Find out how much a used electric car costs on Auto Trader London currently boasts a network of 800 charging points – but three out of four went unused in 2012.

BMW's new X3 overcomes Germany's cupholder disconnect

BMW of North America was eager to improve several parts of the X3 Sports Activity Vehicle for the new generation that goes on sale in January. Not least of those improvements were the cupholders. Old X3: Bad cupholders.