Kenworth F21-1025-100, Paccar F21-1032-100 on 2040-parts.com

Dacia ‘Twingo’ planned as sub £5,000 entry-level Dacia

The current Ranault Twingo (pictured) looks set to live on as the new Dacia Twingo The new Renault Twingo – which shares its underpinnings with the next Smart – arrived at the Geneva Motor Show last week, and it looks an appealing and impressive city runaround. With 3-cylinder engines, rear wheel drive and decent looks, the Twingo looks to have a decent chance of making sensible sales this side of the Channel as the budget alternative to the next Smart Car, which will be basically the same under the skin. But those plans may go a bit awry if a report from Auto Bild is accurate, as Dacia appear to be preparing to take the current Twingo and turn it in to a budget offering for the Dacia range.

Nissan Versa Note (2014) [w/Gallery]

Nissan has unveiled its 2014 Versa Note at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The new design aims to improve fuel economy through improved aerodynamics and has a drag coefficient of 0.298, achieved with the aid of Nissan's first Active Grille Shutter. The Versa Note, which uses the carmaker's global ‘V' platform, sits on a long wheelbase of 2,600mm and has short front and rear overhangs.

AutoWeek Design Forum: McLaren evolves with carbon fiber

McLaren Automotive design boss Frank Stephenson detailed his company's transformation from strictly racing to producing road-going models on Thursday at the AutoWeek Design Forum. McLaren is launching the highly anticipated MP4-12C this year, and the company has been hard at work refining the use of carbon fiber, which it pioneered in the iconic McLaren F1. The company cut the amount of time required to design a carbon-fiber tub from 3,000 hours for the F1 to a mere four hours for the MP4-12C.