1955 Mercury Ditzler Ppg Color Chip Paint Sample on 2040-parts.com

BMW offers M Performance Parts for 3- and 5-series

BMW opened up its M Performance Parts catalog to the new 3- and 5-series, the company said on Friday. The German automaker will offer chassis, brakes, aero upgrades and exhaust improvements for the 2012 3-series and the 2011-12 5-series. BMW revealed the line for its diesel cars in Europe in January, but those cars won't be coming here.

How VW's XL1 will make your next Golf lighter, faster and more frugal

VW will only build 250 examples of the XL1, its super-streamlined two-seater than scores a combined 314mpg thanks to its plug-in hybrid diesel engine, lightweight construction and low-drag design. Each punter will have to put up around €100,000 for the privilege of saving money on fuel – but don’t worry, because every car across the VW Group will benefit from the lessons learned, all by 2020. Is my next VW likely to be a hybrid?

SUVs – Huge in India

The West’s perception of a 4×4 in India – the truth is quite different (click for full image) Car buyers in the West flooded in to SUVs / 4x4s of one sort or another over the last decade. But the current economic woes have brought the SUV bandwagon to an abrupt halt as buyers desert the SUV in droves in favour of something smaller and more economical. Indians can actually buy everything from the most popular Ford Endeavour through to a full blown Cayenne or Range Rover.