Toyota Corolla Isuzu Mitsubishi Universal Windshield Washer Reservoir Pump Motor on 2040-parts.com

Vauxhall Ampera & Chevy Volt win European Car of the Year 2012. Are they mad?

Vauxhall Ampera - European Car of the Year 2012 The Vauxhall / Opel Ampera (& the Chevy Volt) has won the European Car of the year 2012. Which seems completely stupid. Last year we had a car that almost no one is buying – the Nissan LEAF – voted Car of the Year.

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price

BMW i3 Range Extender engine adds 10% to the price The BMW i3 – BMW’s first foray in to a world of electric cars – was officially revealed in July – and due on sale in 2014 – and seems, by electric car standards, to be almost affordable. At a starting price of £30,680 – £25,680 after the taxpayer bribe for EV buyers – it’s no more expensive than other electric cars and does come with some clever technology – and the BMW badge – that will help it move out of showrooms. But as we reported as far back as 2011, the BMW i3 is to get a range-extender option – a small petrol engine that kicks in to recharge the batteries when they get low – which will make the i3 a much more practical proposition.

Vauxhall Adam Rocks baby Crossover ready for production

The Vauxhall Adam Rocks (pictured) ready to roll in to production At last year’s Geneva Motor Show we got the first look at the Vauxhall Adam Rocks Concept, a butch little ADAM with raised ride height, extra cladding and a cabrio roof as Vauxhall attempted to turn their latest city car in to a funky urban Crossover / baby SUV. And the Vauxhall Adam Rocks is back at Geneva this year only this time it’s a production car that should launch later in the summer – and it looks like it should do well. With a ride height raised by 15mm, retuned suspension, extended wheel arches and the required black plastic cladding needed to turn it in to a pseudo off-roader (and 17″ or 18″ alloys) the ADAM Rocks looks the part.