Walker 21324 Muffler on 2040-parts.com

2014 Audi R8 to drop manual gearbox

2014 Audi R8 to lose manual gearbox It’s reported that the new Audi R8 – due in 2104 after a facelift in 2012 – will lose the manual gearbox option. It’s at least two years before the next generation Audi R8 arrives in 2014, but if reports from CAR are right then Audi’s next sporting flagship will do without a manual gearbox altogether. With all that’s on offer in the current R8 apart from the manual ‘box being the rather poor R-Tronic ‘box, that may seem like a recipe for sales disaster for the R8.

Subaru’s rear-drive sports car (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

While Toyota unveiled a revised version of its FT-86 sports car at the 2011 Geneva motor show, Subaru chose to only preview the powertrain of its 'Toyobaru' rear-drive sports coupe. Subaru and Toyota are developing the car together, and each will produce a version of the rear-drive coupe in 2012, but so far it’s been Toyota that’s grabbed all the limelight. Yes, though Subaru was originally due to show a full concept version of its RWD sports car at Geneva, but has instead only revelead the powertrain and basic body shape – not the best move, as the Toyota looks good, and without body panels you only imagine this Scooby version to have bland, flat body panels. The engine is a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre flat four, and the car rides on 17in wheels.

2014 Nissan Qashqai: The tease for the new Qashqai begins

The new Nissan Qashqai is an important car for Nissan as it needs to keep the momentum going that the first Qashqai started as a real alternative to a small family hatch. And with just 10 days to go until the new Qashqai gets revealed, Nissan has started the tease with the single photo of the new Qashqai (above) lurking under a dust sheet. We’re expecting the new Qashqai to take strong styling cues from the new Nissan X-Trail revealed at Frankfurt, and much of what underpins the new Qashqai is similar to the new X-Trail.