2017 Mclaren 570 Coupe 2d on 2040-cars

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Formula 1 seeking independent engine supplier

Formula 1 could get a new engine supplier in the near future, if Bernie Ecclestone and the independent teams gets their way. According to Autosport, the FIA is soon to open the contract up for bids, and there are already several manufacturers that have expressed interest. Currently Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda supply engines – both to their own premier teams (Red Bull and McLaren for the latter two) but also to other teams like Williams, Sauber, and Toro Rosso. Because the new turbocharged V6 hybrid power units cost those four suppliers so much to develop, they're charging their customer teams big bucks – around $20-30 million per season – to provide the engines. These costs are much higher than the $10 million or so it used to cost to purchase a V8 engine under the previous regulations. Ecclestone figures it's time to bring in another supplier who will not run their own team and not play favorites, but will supply engines to private teams at a lower cost. There are already a number of potential suppliers under consideration. One of them is said to be Cosworth, which has a long history in the series stretching back to 1963. The British firm stepped back between 2007 and 2009, returned in 2010, and dropped out again after 2013. The development could be of particular benefit to Red Bull, which has been unable to find an engine supplier and could be forced out of the series as a result. The team has long been powered by Renault, but that relationship has grown sour. And the other three engine manufacturers have not been forthcoming in offering an alternative arrangement for the team. Related Video: News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Cosworth Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz Renault F1 engine contract

Geneva-bound Seat Toledo showcar is a concept in name only

The Seat Toledo Concept that we'll see at the Geneva Motor Show is the precursor for the Seat Toledo that will go on sale later this year in Spain - hence its description as a "close-to-production study." The "study" part is how Seat has integrated its IBE, IBX and IBL concepts into a production sedan, and how it plans to make that car "exceptionally good value for money."
This will be the fourth generation of the Seat, which, in its 20-year lifespan, has been both a trunked vehicle and a five-door hatchback. This "concept" splits the difference: it looks like a three-box sedan but it's actually a five-door hatchback. The liftgate at the rear helps it achieve a 500-liter cargo capacity.
As the Spanish brand's version of the Skoda MissionL concept, it will enter the range under the Ibiza and above the Leon and be built on the AO-plus platform from parent company Volkswagen. Prices are rumored to start at €13,000 to €14,000. Follow the jump for a press release with more details.

McLaren taunts us with two supercars we can't have

Most of the supercars we're seeing at the Geneva Motor Show are well beyond our reach, but they're usually obtainable for a truckload of cash. Not the P1 or 675LT Spider. Both are sold out. Alongside the new 570GT, McLaren arrived at the Geneva Palexpo this year with two supercars that are entirely sold out. Chief among them is the P1 that McLaren Special Operations has completely redone in bare carbon fiber – albeit lacquered in blue and fitted with a 24-karat gold heatshield, just like on the original McLaren F1. Of course, since the P1 is all sold out, we can't have one, but MSO is still catering to the existing owners by offering this sort of upgrades. Joining it is the 675LT Spider which – like the P1 – is also completely sold out. Fans of Woking's finest will recall that the 675LT Spider followed the coupe, which was in turn based on the same underpinnings as the 650S and the 12C before it in McLaren's mid-level Super Series. As with the 675LT coupe, the Spider packs a more powerful version of the company's 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, propelling it from a standstill to 62 miles per hour in just 2.9 seconds. Related Video: