Yamaha 6e5-43822-01 Seal Trim Dust on 2040-parts.com

2012 Ford Focus: A different kind of test drive for consumers

Ford is rolling out a fairly simple idea in August to get consumers interested in the 2012 Ford Focus--drive it. But instead of the usual dealership experience, where potential buyers are often accompanied by a sales person, Ford is now pitching the new Focus to customers on more neutral turf, which the aim of highlighting the technological and handling prowess of the car. The program is being billed as “Start more than a car.

Kode 7 and Kode 9 sports cars star at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013

One of the best things about being at an international motor show in person is coming across amazing cars you didn’t even know existed – and here at Tokyo 2013, the very best examples of this are the Kode 7 and Kode 9 on the Ken Okuyama Design stand. Absolutely stunning – but that’s hardly a surprise given the man responsible also designed the Enzo Ferrari. The Kode 7 – an evolution of the ko.7 that debuted in Geneva 2008 – appears in Exclusive (silver) and Clubman (red) guises as a lightweight track toy.

Mugen to sell tuning parts through UK Honda dealers

Remember last year’s hardcore and ludicrously expensive Mugen Civic Type R? Tuned by the European arm of the Japanese motorsport firm, the tricked-up Civic featured hotter cams, a new exhaust revised suspension and a unique body kit – but a £39k price meant only a few were sold. The good news is that you’ll soon be able to cherry pick some of those parts for your own Civic and even the CR-Z hybrid because Mugen has struck an agreement to distribute tuning parts through eight Honda dealers in the UK.