Pagani keeps Zonda alive with ZoZo one-off

Pagani Zonda ZoZo

Similar to Zonda 760 LH

Pagani isn't willing to retire the Zonda just yet as they
have produced another one-off version, this time called "ZoZo".

The Zonda was originally supposed to reach the end of the
line after the track-only Revolucion
version unveiled back in mid-2013 but due to popular demand Pagani kept the
model alive through a series of unique custom built models. The latest example
is known as "ZoZo" and it was ordered by Yusaku Maezaw, founder of Japanese
online fashion mall Zozotown from where the car gets its name.

It looks a lot like the Zonda
760 LH (Lewis Hamilton), but with two extra rear lights sitting above the
standard taillights which have been blackened. Prototype Zero says the
additional lighting clusters are inspired by early Zonda R renderings dating
back to 2007.

It should be mentioned the Zonda ZoZo is an entirely new vehicle so it's not an upgrade of an existing car. Just like all the other 760
models, it packs an AMG V12 7.3-liter naturally aspirated engine pushing out
760 HP (559 kW).

BMW 1-Series FWD sedan rendered

BMW FWD sedan rendering / RM Design

RM Design has released a rendering project for the next-gen
BMW 1-Series in sedan guise.

Already spied several times, the car will become the second model
in the Bavarian company's range to be powered by the front wheels. These
renderings show a sub-3-Series vehicle, sharing some of its design cues with
the 2-Series Active Tourer and Grand Tourer.

Based on the UKL platform, the 1-Series Sedan will rival the
Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3 Sedan. Featuring a front-wheel-drive setup as standard,
the car will likely be available with an optional all-wheel drive on higher-end
variants.

Power will be provided by a range of 3- and 4-cylinder
petrol and diesel engines with power ranging from 116 PS (85 kW) for the
1.5-liter diesel to 231 PS (170 kW) for the 2.0-liter turbo petrol.

Chances are the model will be introduced at the 2015 Frankufrt Motor Show this fall with sales starting towards the end of the year.

Opel will exit Russia in December; Chevrolet range reduced

Chevrolet Niva concept

Due to "very challenging long-term prospects"

General Motors has announced plans to retire Opel from the
Russian market in December this year.

This decision has been taken as a measure to avoid making an
investment in a market with "very challenging long-term prospects." Besides withdrawing Opel, GM has decided to reduce Chevrolet's lineup in Russia
to three models: Corvette, Camaro and Tahoe.

The GM Auto plant located in St. Petersburg will terminate
production by mid-2015 while the contract assembly of Chevrolet vehicles at GAZ
is going to be discontinued sometime this year. The GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture
will live on which means the next-gen
Chevrolet Niva is still on track to enter production in 2016.

As far as Cadillac is concerned, GM says it will continue in
Russia where they estimate a growth in the coming years as a result of launching
new models in the near future.

Tesla Model S Convertible listed on eBay for $125,000

Modified by Newport Convertible Engineering

A Tesla Model S transformed into a four-door convertible has
appeared on eBay.

In September last year we saw an open-top
Tesla Model S on the streets of United States and now that very same car is
up for grabs on eBay for a "buy it now" price of $125,000. You might be able to
get it a bit cheaper since the current bid stands at $93,100, with only about
eight hours left until the listing will come to an end.

It has been transformed by Newport Convertible Engineering and
they are asking $29,000 to chop off the roof of a Model S to install an
electrically retractable soft top. A hardtop roof conversion is also in the
works and will cost $49,000 while a two-door convertible body style will be
available sometime in the future.

Driven for only 500 miles (805 km), this particular car is a 2014 model year based on the P85+ model with the performance package and "every possible option."

Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo unveiled with 150 PS

Opel Corsa 1.4 Turbo

Opel has taken the wraps off the new Corsa 1.4 Turbo.

As the name suggests, the car has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 PS (110 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque.  It is connected to a six-speed transmission which enables the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 207 km/h (128 mph).  In terms of fuel efficiency, the car returns 5.9L/100km (39.8 mpg US / 47.8 mpg UK) and has CO2 emissions of 136 g/km.

The Corsa 1.4 Turbo will be offered as a three- and five-door hatchback and pricing starts at 17,380 in Germany.  Customers can also order an optional Turbo Plus Package that adds front and rear spoilers, revised side skirts and faux carbon fiber mirror caps - among other things.

BMW 1-Series sedan tackles the Nurburgring for the first time

2016 BMW 1-Series sedan / S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

We've seen the BMW 1-Series sedan on numerous occasions but here are the first photos of the model on the N rburgring Nordschleife.

Set to battle the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA, the 1-Series sedan has a prominent grille, a sculpted hood and familiar body work.  We can also see a panoramic glass roof, a dual exhaust system and attractive alloy wheels.

BMW hasn't had much to say about the model but it will ride on the UKL platform that underpins everything from the MINI Cooper to the 2-Series Gran Tourer.  This means, like its key competitors, the 1-Series sedan will be front-wheel drive.  However, higher-end variants should be offered with an optional all-wheel drive system.

Engine options remain unconfirmed but are expected to include:

• A 1.5-liter TwinTurbo Power three-cylinder engine with 136 PS (100 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque
  
• A 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder with 192 PS (141 kW) and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque
  
• A 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine with 231 PS (170 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque
  
• A 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder diesel engine with 116 PS (85 kW) and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque
  
• A 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine with 150 PS (110 kW) and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque
  
• A 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine with 190 PS (140 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque 

Bottas recovering from back injury in Indonesia

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) / XPB Valtteri Bottas is recovering from his back injury in Indonesia, the Williams team has confirmed.



The Finn had to sit out the Melbourne season opener last Sunday after suffering a torn disc in his back during the qualifying hour.



Reports said he subsequently travelled from Australia to Indonesia to prepare for the time-zone and heat of Malaysia, even though his participation in the second round of the world championship is not yet guaranteed.



According to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Bottas is working in Indonesia with his fitness coach Antti Vierula and a physiotherapist.



"We are doing everything we can to help the process of getting him back to full fitness," a spokesman for the British team told the Daily Mail.



Turun Sanomat said it is likely Bottas will eventually need surgery to completely heal the injury, just as Kimi Raikkonen did at the end of 2013.



"The driver's lower back gets really heavy loads on it because of the braking," former double world champion Mika Hakkinen told Ilta Sanomat newspaper.