Wilwood 140-16628-d on 2040-parts.com

Meeke Makes Magic Monte Debut

A LITTLE over a decade since a Brit last stood on the podium in Monte Carlo, works Citroen driver Kris Meeke finished the opening round of the 2014 World Rally Championship in third place. After enduring rain, snow and challenging road conditions, Meeke finished an impressive third in his DS3 rally car behind 2013 champion and Monte winner Sebastien Ogier’s Volkswagen Polo and local hero and Ford privateer Bryan Bouffier. The dream result comes after Meeke and co-driver Paul Nagle were handed a full works drive by the ultra successful Citroen team at the end of last year.

2012 BMW 1-series gets light freshening

BMW is lightly updating the 1-series coupe and convertible for 2012 with several sporty modifications. The 128i and the 135i get air curtains for the front fascia to counter aerodynamic drag. Other refinements include accents for the headlights and taillights and light finishings for the interior.

VW Phaeton - the new one coming in 2015

A brand new Volkswagen Phaeton Mk2 will be launched in 2015, based on a new architecture being masterminded by cousins Audi. Dubbed VW631, the new VW Phaeton will be based on MLM Evo (modular longitudinal matrix) which makes provision for a plug-in hybrid option, an aluminium-intensive body structure and a much more advanced and less nose-heavy dynamic layout. Although VW chairman Martin Winterkorn has in the past black-flagged the Avantissimo (A8-based) and the Passat Variant Plus (A6-derived), there is still a lot to be said for a second more practical bodystyle in addition to the four-door notch which is almost compulsory in this segment.