Ingersoll Rand 109xpa 3/8" Drive Super-duty Air Ratchet Tool - Ir109xpa on 2040-parts.com

Skoda Rapid launches in India. Is this the Skoda MissionL for Europe?

Is the Skoda Rapide for India the MissionL Concept from Frankfurt? Skoda revealed the MissionL Concept at Frankfurt last month, a Skoda aiming to plug the gap between the Fabia and Octavia. At the time we commented that the MissionL could turn up in India before it did in Europe, and it looks like it has – as the new Skoda Rapid.

Ferrari F450 – due at Frankfurt in September ’09

Rendering of the Ferrari F450 - due to show at Frankfurt in September and go on sale in 2010 But the new Ferrari F450 is getting closer, and spy shots of the F450 have enabled Auto Express to come up with a rendering that is, we reckon, near as dammit to the finished article due to be shown at Frankfurt in September. Sporting a pair of big side vents that have been enlarged to help the engine breathe and the brakes cool, the F450 is different enough to the F430 to set it apart as a new car – not just an evolution. The F450 is going to have to go upmarket to compete with the likes of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, and in an effort to compete Ferrari has upped the capacity of the F430, increased the rev limit and produced an engine that, in the F450, should deliver something around 500bhp.

Nissan LEAF: Nissan to extend warranty to cover battery capacity loss

Nissan has revealed it plans to extend the warranty on the Nissan LEAF EV to warrant against battery capacity losses. We’ve asked many times why makers of electric cars seem to believe that their batteries will continue to hold the same amount of charge as they age, especially as every battery powered gadget we’ve ever owned loses its ability to hold the same charge as every month passes, and becomes pretty useless after a couple of years hard use. But we’ve never had a sensible answer.