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Mercedes GLA goes subterranean

FOR SUV owners looking to test their cars’ off-road credentials, the obvious place to put them to the test probably isn’t nearly 200 metres underground. But that’s exactly where the new Mercedes GLA found itself as it descended into Winsford Rock Salt Mine, 620 feet beneath the Cheshire countryside. The working mine, which supplies much of the UK’s gritting salt for wintry roads, played host to four standard (apart from extra driving lights) GLA models, which were lowered down into the mine nose first before being let loose in the 130-mile network of tunnels.

Opel Astra OPC Extreme debuts before Geneva

The Geneva motor show starts next week, which means we get to see an awesome selection of cars that will never come to our shores. On Wednesday, Opel added the Astra OPC Extreme to that category, which now includes the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake, Volkswagen Polo and Aston Martin Vantage N430, among others. The Astra OPC Extreme is 220 pounds lighter than the already-hot OPC, thanks to the use of carbon fiber.

Alfa Romeo SUV heading for Alfa showrooms – one day

We’ve heard it all before – and from some well placed people at Alfa Romeo – but an Alfa man has now stuck his neck out and confirmed publicly: There will be an Alfa Romeo SUV in the next two to three years. Damien Dally, who is Alfa’s Brand man in the UK, was speaking at the Telegraph Festival of Motoring this week and was quite happy to confirm the arrival of Alfa’s SUV although, just like all Alfa’s plans, it seems to be a few years behind what they were planning. Back in 2011 – two years after Alfa revealed it planned an assault on the US market, Alfa’s plan was to have an Alfa SUV ready by 2013 to spearhead their return to the US market.