2007 Silverado 1500 Anti-lock Brake Abs Pump Assembly (4 Wheel Abs); N on 2040-parts.com

Aston Martin in talks with Mercedes to build SUV

The Lagonda SUV is looking more likely as AML talk to Mercedes The Aston Martin tie-up with Daimler’s AMG to produce new engines for Aston Martin was always likely to be just the tip of the iceberg of co-operation between the 3-pointed star and Gaydon. That’s because it’s not just new engines that Aston Martin needs, but new platforms too to replace its one and only ageing platform. And the first candidate for platform donation from Mercedes was always likely to be an SUV platform to build a Lagonda SUV on.

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid: Production underway

The world’s first production plug-in diesel hybrid – the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – has gone in to production ahead of customer deliveries. Volvo are producing just 1,000 2013 V60 plug-ins, but are aiming to up production to between 4-6,000 a year from the 2014 model year and, despite the problems of integrating the V60′s complicated electric stuff in to a production car, the V60 plug-in is rolling down the same production line as the regular V60, V70, S80 and XC90. That complicated stuff includes two different powertrains and a battery pack – enough for up to 32 miles as an EV only – and a total of 300 additional parts compared to a regular ICE V60.

People's Car Project concepts showcased

Volkswagen is currently showcasing three of its vehicle and technology concepts created under the ‘People's Car Project' at this year's Beijing auto show. The Hover Car, the Music Car and the Smart Key concepts – created by users of the website, which has seen 33 million visitors – are just three of more than 119,00 ideas submitted, leading the project to be indefinitely extended as Volkswagen uses the findings to influence its future design strategy. The ‘Hover Car' is an environmentally friendly two-seater city car that, unsurprisingly, hovers above the ground.