Camoplast Hacksaw Hi-performance Trail Tracks 15in. X 128in. on 2040-parts.com

Mercedes launch new 9G-Tronic gearbox on E350 BlueTec

New Mercedes E350 BlueTec (pictured) gets 9-speed 9G-TRONIC auto It’s not exactly a million years ago that automatic gearboxes offered poorer performance and economy than manual gearboxes, and came as standard with just three gears. But now, automatic gearboxes are so good they can  change quicker than any driver and, with the proliferation of eight-speed auto ‘boxes, offer improved economy and performance too. The next logical step is even more ratios in an auto ‘box, and Land Rover has already revealed they’ll be fitting the Evoque with a 9-speed ZF ‘box from 2014, and the new Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a nine-speed auto ‘box too.

Ford shows Edge Concept

Ford took the wraps of the Edge Concept at the LA Auto Show, and the company says the crossover offers strong hints at the next-generation production Edge. The big news is a sleeker shape, front and rear LED lights, better fuel economy and technology that includes self parking and obstacle avoidance. The self parking is a prototype technology using sensors that allow the Edge to be parked at the touch of a button, or remotely.

After a miss with the Sebring, Chrysler resets its upscale mission

With the 2011 200 sedan, due in December, the Chrysler brand is taking another shot at the vast mid-sized sedan market, a target it missed badly with the Sebring. The 200, derived from the Sebring, resets the brand mission: refined design, luxury touches inside, a quiet ride and responsive handling--at affordable prices. The approach will be shared by the reworked Chrysler Town & Country minivan, also due in December, and the reworked 2012 Chrysler 300 sedan, which arrives in March.